Sibelius's songs only occasional reflect the weighty originality of his major works. Yet here, in inspired performances, Katarina Karneus and Julius Drake bring out new dimensions.
Even the handful of songs that have become widely popular, like Svarta Rosor (Black roses) and Sav, sav, susa (Reeds, reeds, whisper) are transformed in performances that sharply bring out the contrasts of mood, the range of emotion and the sense of drama, as in the overpowering tragic climax of The Tryst.
It is a magic partnership, giving fresh insights in every song. Vivid sound, very well-balanced.
