Leif Ove Andsnes’ new Sibelius album has reached No. 2 in the French classical charts and received glowing reviews from around the world in just the one month since its release.  Here are a few sample highlights:

“like crystals of ice in the sunlight … Andsnes transports the listener with a wonderful landscape of colour …” NDR Kultur / Norddeutscher Rundfunk – 4 October 2017

“It required an interpreter who loved the work unconditionally … to render full justice and light to the pianistic corpus of John Sibelius (1865-1957), so often discredited in favor of his symphonic music. This is achieved by Leif Ove Andsnes, whose record, soberly titled Sibelius, awakens worlds too dormant. The shimmering depths of the lakes, mysterious forests and legendary loves of the Kalevala enliven this music … A magician of sound, a liberator of buried secrets …”  Le Monde – 30 September 2017 

“You almost want to keep this disc to yourself, as a closely guarded secret. Wrong, of course – this wonderfully recorded collection deserves to sell in spades. Spread the word.”   TheArtsDesk.com – 30 September 2017 

“What pleasure. What colour. What ambience … ravishing.”   francecultur.fr – 26 September 2017 

“On closer listening you feel a door to Sibelius’s mysterious world has been unlocked. And the playing is beautiful.”  The Observer – 24 September 2017 

“The elegance of Andsnes’ playing, the delicacy of his touch and its subtle inflections, give nobility to these unknown pages. A gentle plunge into the intimate work of one of the great symphonists of the last century.”  France Inter – 23 September 2017 

“In Andsnes’ sensitive playing, all the lyrical qualities of the instrument are evident – in the mystical sound language typical of Sibelius. This music must be heard!”  Crescendo Magazine – 13 September 2017

“That this recording has been a heartfelt concern to him is just as unmistakable. A real discovery for the beginning of autumn.” Radio Klassik Stephansdom – 9 September 2017