Rimma, Sibelius & the “Organ Symphony”

Intended to be a “free comment” on Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony, Katarina Leyman’s wild roller coaster ride gets us rolling in this crowd-pleasing concert. When the soloist enters over oscillating strings, it’s as though the violin were emerging from some pristine Nordic landscape in Sibelius’ concerto. The second movement spins a melody that embraces you with exquisite radiance, and the final Allegro, beginning with galloping timpani rhythms, is a breathless, non-stop showcase for Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois’ virtuosity. Saint-Saëns’ beloved “Organ Symphony” propels you ever forward to the blazing C Major chord that shows off the power and majesty of “the queen of instruments.”