Karina Canellakis conducts the Concertgebouw Orchestra: Wagner & Sibelius

Augustin Hadelich plays Sibelius

Richard Wagner was the champion of the superlative. In Tristan und Isolde he focuses his telescope on a couple in love. Their passion is too great for earthly life, and that produces extremely sensual music. You hear more restrained passion in Sibelius' unique Violin Concerto : not a typical virtuoso piece, but a dream journey through a mysterious orchestral landscape, with the delicate violinist Augustin Hadelich as a guide.

Karina Canellakis conducts Le poème de l'extase

Karina Canellakis saves the height of rapture for last. Le poème de l ' extase is one of the most special pieces by the already extraordinary Alexander Skrjabin. For him, music was 'a bridge to the Higher'. This work explores a spiritual world that others can only dream of; with Skrjabin, you are right in the middle of it. The orchestra is a kaleidoscope of blinding colours.