The Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s work with Sibelius's music

The Lahti Symphony Orchestra has lived in close and fascinating proximity to the music of Sibelius. Under the direction of Osmo Vänskä the orchestra has explored, interpreted and performed his works not only on record but also in concert in the USA, England, Germany, Austria and, of course, at its home in the Sibelius Hall. Sibelius’s Kullervo, which the orchestra performed in Tokyo, was voted by Japanese critics as the best classical performance of 2003 in Japan.

Among the Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s recordings are all the Sibelius symphonies; its most recent Sibelius discs are The Origin of Fire, Seriously Sibelius and Spirit of Nature. The orchestra’s recordings of the original versions of Sibelius’s Fifth Symphony, Violin Concerto and En saga have attracted particular attention. The Lahti Symphony Orchestra also made the world première recording of Sibelius’s long-forgotten tone poem The Wood-Nymph in 1996.

The Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s association with Sibelius’s music is continuing under the baton of Jukka-Pekka Saraste. Among Saraste’s recordings are two complete cycles of Sibelius symphonies, and he has received numerous awards for his Sibelius performances, among them the Sibelius Medal.