Viktoria Mullova comes to Minneapolis this week to perform Sibelius's Violin Concerto with the Minnesota Orchestra (as Brian Newhouse mentioned here a few days ago). It might surprise you to know that the Sibelius is one of the most-often-performed pieces in U.S. concert halls.
The American Symphony Orchestra League, which keeps track of such things, placed it at no. 13 (with 56 performances) for the 2005-6 season. In 2002-3, it was ranked no. 4. I believe, but can't verify, that the concerto reached no. 1 at least once during the 1990s.
My question is, why? Is it because there are not enough good concertos to go around for all of those violin soloist appearances? Or is the inherent appeal of the Sibelius that great?
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