Selim Palmgren (1878-1951) is internationally the most famous of a generation of Finnish composers who tried to make a career at the beginning of this century in the shadow of Jean Sibelius. The premiere of his only opera, Daniel Hjort, was a great success. The work is based on a Swedish play by Josef Julius Wecksell (1838-1907), set in the sixteenth century during the Swedish rule of Finland. Daniel
… Hjort is a largely fictional figure who incites the military to rebel against the Swedish king. Of course it ends badly for him, but before that happens, six stormy acts with musical highlights have already passed. In addition to the soloists, including Nicolai Gedda, we hear the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ulf Söderblom. (GO) _more
