Joseph Tong - Sibelius: Piano Works, Vol. 2

As with the first CD which Tong recorded, the choice of repertoire has evolved not only from his exploration of the composer�s sizeable body of piano works, but also from a desire to select an attractive and varied combination of pieces representing all the main periods of Sibelius�s creative life from the early 1890s through to the mid-1920s. At the same time, he wanted to continue the natural process of combining large scale works with shorter pieces (or sets of pieces) in a way which might mirror a concert programme. Therefore he has chosen one of Sibelius�s most important large-scale piano works, the Sonata in F major Op. 12, as well as one of his best-loved orchestral transcriptions, Valse triste. He always admired the three strikingly original Sonatinas Op. 67 and likewise the evocative Characteristic Impressions Op. 103. The captivating Bagatelles Op. 97 and by comparison, the more serene Lyric Pieces Op. 74 complete the selection for this disc, confirming that Sibelius was also a masterful miniaturist.