St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Brahms’ Violin Concerto — Friendship and Solace

In music, we can be our full, imperfect selves. For violinist Christian Tetzlaff, Brahms’ Violin Concerto is filled with humanity, speaking of pain and joy, solace and companionship. For conductor John Storgårds, the music of Sibelius energizes us with its positive life-force. The Lemminkäinen Suite celebrates a Finnish folk hero as he journeys far and wide.

A few things to know: 

• “Brahms talks of the pain and the joy of living,” says violinist Christian Tetzlaff. “But even in his dark pieces, there is still a major element of solace, or companionship, or friendship that links you to him.”
• Lemminkäinen Suite tells four tales from Finland’s national collection of folk tales, the Kalevala. Lemminkäinen, a heroic figure, travels far. He is chased from an island after falling for its women. He is then tasked with killing a sacred swan, but instead dies himself. Resurrected by his mother, he then returns home.

“Even in the darkest parts of Sibelius’ music,” says conductor John Storgårds, “there is still such a strong feeling of the present, of life, of the substance of being human.” Closely associated with the music of Sibelius, Storgårds has spent his life perfecting his interpretations.