Fono Forum: outstanding.
As with all the great composers, the voice of Sibelius is both unique and familiar at the same time. Steeped in a Germanic tradition which he saw no need to overthrow, he nevertheless, and from the earliest times, composed music that is instantly recognizable as "Sibelian". BIS continues with its pioneering series of recordings of the earliest music of the great composer. Most of these works have been buried in libraries until now and they give us wonderful insights into the development of the composer's mind; as well as being highly listenable music in themselves. Especially when performed by these handpicked Finnish musicians. The preceding volumes of the youthful series have been warmly praised by the critics, both for their musicological value and for the performances and recording quality.
