Sibelius Symphony No. 2

Scandinavia reigns supreme as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra welcomes the return of internationally renowned Finnish conductor Osmo Vänskä to lead the compelling Second Symphony of his compatriot Jean Sibelius. Completed in 1902 during an uncertain Russian domination of Finland, the piece became an uplifting interpretation of nationalistic identity, with sweeping majesty that elicits the adventurous landscape from which it sprang. Opening the performance is the jovial and familiar Peer Gynt Suite of Edvard Grieg, which was created at the request of Norway’s literary giant, Henrik Ibsen, as incidental music to his play of the same name. Finally, German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser joins for the North American Première of a new cello concerto, written for him by one of Europe’s leading composers, Detlev Glanert, and co-commissioned by the TSO.