Sibelius - Pensées Lyriques, Op.40

This set of character pieces by the Great Finn you don't hear very often. Some may say rightly so... I will not suggest this is great music. Sibelius wrote lots of stuff like this to pay the bills (which symphonies apparently didn't), and he was not a pianist nor especially drawn to the instrument. To those who only want the best in piano music, don't bother with this and go look elsewhere. To those who like a rarity, stick around. I believe this music deserves an airing, and since nobody else does it ! As far as I can see there isn't another complete recording of this set on YouTube. I recorded these on november 7, 2010.

I find much to enjoy in these unassuming pieces, shot through as they are with glimpses of the 'real' Sibelius, and had a good time practicing and recording them. I find them quite endearing in their simplicity and occasional gaucheness. In particular I love the deft little Polonaise (amusingly subtitled Alla Polacca, as if we could not have worked that out) that concludes the set.

Chris Breemer, piano
https://buymeacoffee.com/cbreemer

00:20 - 1: Valsette
01:19 - 2: Chant sans paroles
02:58 - 3: Humoresque
04:20 - 4: Minuetto
07:05 - 5: Berceuse
08:53 - 6: Pensee melodique
10:05 - 7: Rondoletto
11:46 - 8: Scherzando
13:00 - 9: Petite serenade
15:19 - 10: Polonaise