Parallel to his great sequence of symphonic masterpieces and tone poems, Jean Sibelius wrote a significant body of music for the theater. It was with King Christian II and Kuolema that he established his fame throughout Europe whilst some of his most hauntingly beautiful writing for the stage can be found in Belshazzar’s Feast. The tragic pantomime Scaramouche is Sibelius’s only continuous dramatic score and Pelleas et Melisande is one of his most accomplished, whilst the rarely performed Jedermann is recognized as a hidden masterpiece. Gramophone wrote of these performances: “Leif Segerstam masterminds a characteristically unhurried, atmospheric display. What an absorbing journey of discovery this series has proved to be; congratulations to everyone involved.” Leif Segerstam is a conductor, composer, violinist, and pianist with a prominent international career. He has held top conducting positions with some of the finest orchestras and opera houses in the world, including the Finnish National Opera and Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

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Review excerpts of select previously released recordings included in this set:

Sibelius: Belshazzar's Feast, Etc


The performances are just about as good as it gets. Segerstam plays all of the music with evident care and invests it with plenty of character.

– ClassicsToday

Sibelius: Pelleas et Melisande


Segerstam’s performance here is simply gorgeous. The opening prelude gains real majesty in this interpretation; and has the spinning wheel scene ever sounded quite this sinister? Don’t be fooled by the brevity of the movements: this is a major work. Segerstam knows it, and plays it like one.

– ClassicsToday

Sibelius: Swanwhite - Complete Incidental Music

As always with Sibelius’ string writing, Segerstam’s performance is gorgeous. It’s not often recalled that Segerstam was himself a violinist of considerable ability in his youth, and he pays a great deal of attention to the orchestral string sections in all of his recordings, to excellent effect.

– ClassicsToday