Karina Canellakis conducts Tchaikovsky and Sibelius

A cozy concert with winter cold as its theme. Karina Canellakis takes the musical lead in narrative works by Tchaikovsky and Sibelius, while NPO Klassiek presenter Ab Nieuwdorp assumes the role of narrator. Throw in a campfire and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, along with the Groot Omroepkoor and baritone Arttu Kataja, form one grand troubadour.

Sibelius

Jean Sibelius grew to become Finland's bard at a time when protests against Russian rule were growing. Works such as the melodrama Snöfrid and the choral work The Origin of Fire gave Finland a national voice. His symphonic poem Finlandia was even considered the unofficial Finnish national anthem.

Winter Dreams

Whereas Sibelius was considered a nationalist against his will, Tchaikovsky got right up against his nationalist colleagues. His 1866 First Symphony "Winter Dreams" was considered "too Western, too unctuous, too sentimental. By now he is considered the most important nineteenth-century Russian composer. Even his First symphony is already up and coming Tchaikovsky.