Description

The piano is a prominent element throughout the works of Jean Sibelius. Following a few initial compositions as a student, he created the Sonata op.12 (EB 8142) in 1893, along with his first collection of piano works, the Six Impromptus op.5. In this collection, the Finnish composer confidently engages with the grand romantic tradition significantly influenced by Schubert and Chopin. While Sibelius draws from some of his earlier compositions in this work, he also repurposes the final two pieces from op.5 as the foundation for an independent "Impromptu" for string orchestra, which he assembled shortly after finishing the piano pieces.