Considered a national hero in Finland, Jean Sibelius explored his country's symbolic tradition in his suite Four Legends of Lemminkäinen. It tells the story of one of the most fascinating figures in Norse mythology, the handsome and impulsive warrior Lemminkäinen. In this concert with commentary, we learn more about the Kalevala, an epic poem that compiles ancient songs from the oral tradition of the Finnish people. Magic, death and resurrection, the power of gods and men, love and knowledge: with this material, Sibelius constructs four breathtaking symphonic poems (including the famous Swan of Tuonela), traversing states of melancholy, drama, euphoria, and triumph. The conductor is Kristian Sallinen, a disciple of distinguished Finnish maestros such as Jorma Panula, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Hannu Lintu, and Jukka-Pekka Saraste.