Various Composers - Finnish Works for Violin & Orchestra (Linda Hedlund)

Information

1. Selim Palmgren - Concert Fantasy, Op. 104
2. Väinö Haapalainen - Näky
3. Aarre Merikanto - Violin Concerto No. 4: I. Allegro
4. Aarre Merikanto - Violin Concerto No. 4: II. Largo
5. Aarre Merikanto - Violin Concerto No. 4: III. Allegro giosamente
6. Väinö Raitio - Legenda for Violin & Orchestra
7. Väinö Raitio - Notturno for Violin & Orchestra
8. Nils-Eric Fougstedt - Violin Concertino: I. Largamente
9. Nils-Eric Fougstedt - Violin Concertino: II. Andante
10. Nils-Eric Fougstedt - Violin Concertino: III. Allegro ritmico
11. Einar Englund - Romance (From "Omena putoaa")

Linda Hedlund, violin

La Tempesta Orchestra

József Hárs, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Naxos

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This recording showcases the expressive range, rich colour, and inventive character of Finnish concertante works for violin and orchestra, reflecting the evolving landscape of the nation’s 20th-century music. The programme captures a period in which mysticism, modernism, folklore, and experimentation coexisted and interacted. It features major composers such as Selim Palmgren and Aarre Merikanto, alongside film music by Einar Englund, written under a pseudonym. The selection is further enriched by distinctive contributions from Väinö Haapalainen, Väinö Raitio, and Nils-Eric Fougstedt, offering a comprehensive portrait of Finland’s diverse and transitional musical identity.

Linda Hedlund studied violin at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien and the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, and specialized in Baroque violin at Novia University of Applied Sciences. She performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician, appearing with ensembles such as La Tempesta, Les Solistes de Monte Carlo, and the Lohja City Orchestra, and at major European festivals and Carnegie Hall. An active educator, she gives masterclasses worldwide and founded the annual Emäsalo Music Festival in 2006. Her recordings include collaborations with Oliver Kern and Otto Tolonen, and the critically acclaimed 2021 Naxos release Evening Dusk Serenade.

High Resolution 24-bit / 48 kHz