Finale<\/em>\u2019s near-outrageous difficulties are handled with dazzling precision.<\/p> This release is then raised from very fine to exceptional by its rather larger second half \u2013 a survey of Sibelius\u2019s later output of short works for violin and small orchestra. Some are almost as technically demanding as the Concerto: the third and last number of the Suite, Op. 117 is a full-tilt\u00a0moto perpetuo<\/em>, delivered by Ehnes at a scintillating pace.<\/p> In the two sets of\u00a0Humoresques<\/em>\u00a0and the\u00a0Two Serenades<\/em>\u00a0especially, Sibelius found a way of transferring his theatre music\u2019s matchless command of touch and atmosphere to this different genre. This is where the accompaniments by the Bergen Philharmonic and Edward Gardner, never less than excellent in the Concerto, now truly come into their own. Spellbinding sounds are conjured at every point, and the recorded balance beautifully catches the ensemble\u2019s interplay with Ehnes\u2019s solo violin.\u00a0Malcolm Hayes<\/em><\/p>