Flabby to Fit...

 

... In just 10 years!


Sir Colin Davis infamously recorded an 80+ minute Kullervo in the mid 90s. In general, I did not enjoy his Sibelius cycle on RCA at all, and with, this work was far from a favorite of mine.

A decade later, with the same orchestra and chorus, Davis trims nearly 10 minutes off of the runtime and captures the music in a live performance. Ten years made all the difference.

As to the music itself, I equate Sibelius' early Kullervo, a choral symphony by the composer's description, to Mahler's Das Klagende Lied, an early mystical cantata from that Austrian composer, one which is also rather gangly and overstuffed. There is a bit more gristle to the story of Kullervo, a man who just can't seem to get a break in life, and ultimately ends in tragedy. If the work has a problem, it lies in its length, although the addition of the element of voice is a nice break from the longer symphonic portions.

I think Davis and his London team get the heaviness of the story, but do so with enough muscle as to impress instead of depress. Some find Sir Colin too fast in portions, such as Kullervo's Death, but I had no such problem. If anything, I could have used an even rawer edge, but the splendid final moments show how effectively portentous the music was which came before.

Harmonically, I think Kullervo fits as a Nationalistic piece best. It is apparent right from the first motive, Sibelius fills his music into a modal landscape, giving an ever present folk aspect, even if the symphonic setting is bigger than such a label as folk. I really hear the exoticism flailing about in Kullervo Goes to Battle, where Turkish marches or Rimsky-Korsakov-ian colors are present.

Speaking of motives, Sibelius' themes are  strongly recognizable throughout Kullervo, both melodically and rhythmically. The composer somehow makes the off-kilter 5/4 time signature sound natural in the third movement, perhaps aided by the Finnish language from the chorus, and the ever-present quintuplets in the second movement become an insistent character as well.

Orchestrally, I am taken by how Sibelius uses the winds, particularly the clarinet. He is able to create otherworldly sounds by pairing the clarinet with other instruments, a unique element. Also, the swirling strings, sometimes muted, are always a pleasure to hear each time the composer utilizes them in that way. Of course the brass support some of the biggest moments in the story, which are absolutely thrilling.

The chorus only sings in the third and fifth movements, and the LSO's home label places the singers way in front, so there is no losing the choral thread. Sibelius writes most of the men's choir in unison, so when we finally hear them in parts in the final movement, it makes a stunning effect. 

Both vocal soloists do fine work in the long third movement, where I particularly enjoy the baritone of Peter Mattei. Finnish mezzo Monica Groop also does quite well as the put out sister of Kullervo, where Sibelius places what seems like an operatic scene at the center of a symphonic work.

Thankfully, this recording is devoid of any audience noise from its live occasion, and I only caught two or three light groans from the conductor. The Barbican is a notoriously dry acoustical space, but there are no such problems on this recording, probably due to a closer recorded vantage point, yet there is space around the sound. Perhaps some post-SACD tinkering was involved. Whatever the cause, the effect is excellent.

I love these big choral works, yet the music of this one can test my patience from time to time. Luckily, Sir Colin Davis makes the journey an exciting one, and the London forces are formidable.

Plus, who can resist the knowing stare of an owl's eye?!?

 

 

 

 

Work
Kullervo, op. 7

  I. Introduction (14.22)
 II. Kullervo's Youth (14.04)
III. Kullervo and his Sister (23.22)
IV. Kullervo Goes to Battle (10.18)
 V. Kullervo's Death (9.46)

Soloists
Monica Groop, mezzo-soprano
Peter Mattei, baritone

Ensembles
London Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis, conductor

Label: LSO Live
Year: 2006
Total Timing: 72.12

 

 

 

 

Anyone interested in the symphonies of Sibelius should probably begin with the orchestral set proper. Kullervo is more of youthful interest; to hear from the composer as he approaches his musical maturity.

And yet, there are many excellent moments across Kullervo's rather long runtime. Sir Colin Davis' second outing certainly makes a better case for Sibelius' music, yet I am not sure I would lead listeners to this recording first. At least not yet...