Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems
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Music CD Cover
Composer: Jean SibeliusConductor: Paavo Berglund
Orchestra: Bournemouth Sinfonietta
Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra: Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Performer: Raili Kostia [mezzo-soprano]
Performer: Taru Valjakka
Performer: Ida Haendel
Edition: Music CD
Format: Box set
CD Release Date: 2001-11-20
Music Label: EMI Classics
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
- I. Andante, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico
- II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento)
- III. Scherzo. Allegro
- IV. Finale Quasi una Fantasia. Andante - Allegro Molto
- Allegretto
- Tempo Andante Ma Rubato
- Vivacissimo
- Finale. Allegro Moderato
- I: Allegro Moderato
- II: Andantino Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto
- III: Moderato - Allegro (Ma Non Tanto)
- I. Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagio
- II. Allegro Molto Vivace
- III. Il Tempo Largo
- IV. Allegro
- Tempo Molto Moderato - Allegro Moderato - Presto
- Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto
- Allegro Molto - Un Pochettino Largamente
- I. Allegro Molto Moderato
- II. Allegretto Moderato
- III. Poco Vivace
- IV. Allegro Molto
- Adagio
- Un pochettino meno adagio
- Poco rallentando al adagio
- Presto
- No. 1, Introduction
- No. 2, "The Youth of Kullervo"
- No. 3, "Kullervo and His Sister"
- No. 4, "Kullervo Leaves for the War"
- No. 5, "Kullervo's Death"
- No. 1, Intermezzo
- No. 3, Alla marcia
- Serenade No. 1 in D major, Op. 69a
- Serenade No. 2 in G minor, Op. 69b
- Nocturne
- ?l?gie
- Musette
- S?r?nade
- Ballade
- At the Castle Gate
- M?lisande
- By the Seashore
- A Spring in the Park
- The Three Blind Sisters
- Pastorale
- M?lisande at the Spinning-wheel
- Entr'acte
- The Death of M?lisande
- Kuolema, Op. 44 (incidental music)
- Kuolema, Op. 44 (incidental music)
- No. 2, Harpan
- No. 3, T?rnorna med rosor
- No. 4, H?r r?dhaken
- No. 6, Svanevit och prinsen
Free Music Notes for Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems
Free Music Review: One of the greatest composers ever!
Hit: 5 Stars
I will preface this review with one single caveat. I love Sibelius. His music is beyond that which was being produced by the average turn of the century composer; and his output was vast, varied and complex; just like the man himself.
Jean Sibelius is, perhaps, one of the most underappreciated compers of all time, but most certainly Finland's finest composer.
The fact that his works are so complex, so layered and so problematic for listeners only serves as a glaring sign of how truly wonderful his life's work has become.
Surprisingly, he remains absent from even the most audacious audiophiles' collections.
Why?
Well, he suffered from depression (perhaps understandable considering the the beautiful country of Finland which remains dark many months out of the year), obsessive compulsive disorder (which seems to be a hallmark of any truly great mind, in my ever so humble, and sympathetic opinion, as I also suffer from such -dis-orders of the mind, not that I consider myself a great mind, but I have my moments; but again, I digress), and a haunting perfectionism (noted perfectly in his statement, "It is strange that something has become of me, because I have done so much in my life quite the opposite of what should have been done"). To think that such a genius should suffer so greatly is proof that we can seek to impress ourselves but even in greatness, fail ourselves miserably
Sibelius struggled to create music that would not only inspire pride in a cold and dark country, but also to draw attention to all that is beautiful about his native land. "Finlandia" of course is his crowning achievment in this venture, followed by tone poems that focus upon characters that littered the landscape of Finland's massive historical value to the world.
"Kullervo", the "Karelia Suite", and "Svanwhite" (Swanwhite) are all a testament to a rich and varied liturgical and spoken tradition that became legend as the stories where passed from Father to Son, Mother to Daugther and so on. Such is the history of the people of the North; the Norsemen; the Vikings (one of my favorite subjects).
Perhaps most telling of Sibelius' depression and darker side is his Symphony No. 4, a dark and ominous piece that some people find too depressing and far too clouded to be appreciated. I, on the other hand, feel every note of this symphony as a teardrop falling from a genius/quasi-madman's pen. His ability to convey emotion is unmatched by many and exceeds most.
In stark contrast, his Fifth Symphony is a bright and airy piece that has a melody that can be described as magical and translucent. The move from the Fourth to the Fifth Symphony is an experience in musical bi-polarisam and it should be celebrated for conveying emotion beyond music, beyond the man, beyond his nationalistic pride; it should be celebrated as an example of how one's life can be clearly displayed in the music that is produced at any given time in a composer's life.
Sibelius often complained that no one could truly understand the darkness with which he lived; this would be best summed up by his statement about his beloved wife, Aino, who did not understand his darker side when he said of her, "This terrible depression - which Aino cannot understand and which I have inherited from my ancestors. Because I'm so thin-skinned or lacking in confidence Aino and the children will never receive proper support in life." What a heavy burden to carry for such a talented and misunderstood giant of composition.
Many people complain that his music is unapproachable. I would argue that anything worth appreciating is worth working toward. Thus, here you have a monstrous collection of Symphonies and Tone Poems that sum up the pride, madness, and genius of a composer that lived a real life; pained, paniced, manic, misunderstood and, tragically, unfulfilling (sound familiar; we've all been there, so I know you can relate).
His symphonies broke new ground in their makeup; from the six punctuated, off tempo closing bursts of his 5th Symphony, to the sheer joy of his favorite and final composition, the Seventh Symphony.
The Helskinki Philharmonic, led by conductor Paavo Berglund, perform these pieces with a respect and adoration for Sibelius' genius. The performances are near perfect, with excellent recording and beautfiul arrangement.
I won't move piece through piece (as I have already rambled for quite a while), but suffice it to say that the work presented in this collection of 8 CD's is staggering, breathtaking and well worth every dollar that I spent.
I listen to these discs often and still, after quite a while, find myself in awe of how perfect the orchestra works together to create the emotions of a man who, although struggling with interaction with people ("I haven't heard an orchestra for nearly a year. Nor have I really met a single person...Everything is greyer than grey. - My whole life has been wasted"), obviously did not struggle with the concept of music as a conduit for emotional release.
Here we stand, over 50 years after his death, and we still struggle to understand the genius of a man who was so much like a lot of us, so flawed and self-loathing, so sad and desperate for accomplishment, not recognition; perhaps Sibelius' greatest quote was made about the people that seemed to dog him wherever and whenever he blessed us with his work. When he said of music critics: "Pay no attention to what critics say. No statue has ever been put up to a critic", he acknowledged, at the least, that he saught only personal satisfaction. How true; and now Sibelius has an astounding repetroire of beautiful music that deserves the monument that was erected in his honor.
Suffice it to say that I highly recommend this box set as a must have. And furthermore, I would go so far as to say that if you have not truly listened to Sibelius (highlights would be his Symphony No. 5, The Oceanides, Finlandia, The Karelia Suite, Symphony No. 3, Symphony No. 4, Symphony No. 7 {the piece that he said he could not out-do, resulting in a permanent hiatus from composing for the last 30 years of his life}, and Serenades 1 and 2 {Op. 69a & 69b}), and by listened I mean played the pieces until they speak to you, you are missing out one of life's finest pleasures.
Buy this collection and you will provide yourself with the opportunity to open you mind and ears to an entirely new perspective on life and music; whether or not you suffer from depression, OCD or perfectionism.
Do it; I think that you will be pleasantly surprised and ultimately uplifted by the beauty and grandeur of Sibelius' work.
Truly a wonder for the classical lover that needs something more than the turn of the century impressionsists (which I love, but this is so different) and the run-of-the-mill compositions of conformists.
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