Sallinen Conducts Sibelius

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra welcomes the sensational young talent Kristian Sallinen, "a natural conductor" who's winning fans by smashing "boundaries with a cheerful sense of humour" (Helsingin Sanomat). Sallinen leads the Orchestra in Berg's hauntingly poetic Violin Concerto, performed by Northern California violin virtuoso Alexi Kenney. After intermission, Sallinen brings out the Nordic earthiness of fellow Finn Jean Sibelius for a set of vivid and tuneful tone poems inspired by Finnish folklore. The program opens with a Sibelius-inspired tribute written by Scottish composer Thea Musgrave to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the composer's birth.