Sibelius: Jedermann

 

Sibelius' Jedermann is based on a Medieval morality play. I can almost hear a Medieval nod from Sibelius in the vocal numbers, whether that was a musical plan or not. After a brief stern, portentous introduction, the first quarter of this 50-minute work is filled with vocal solos and duets backed by choral support, portraying the carefree excesses of the Everyman. 

The final 3/4ths of the piece is filled with Largo, Lento, and Adagio tempos, following the Everyman as he is fatefully faced with mortality. The string writing here is often spare, where Sibelius pares down the harmonies to only two or three parts at any given time. It is also the most substantial section of the work, with no let up of a prevailing mood of gloom. Only a movement with pipe organ and a finale with chimes and chorus provide any musical relief for this final half. I daresay, this last 3/4ths almost makes the music sag under its weight for far too long of a stretch.

Compared to the last three pieces of incidental music from Sibelius on this Naxos series, Jedermann feels like a musical whole from start to finish, despite the change in emotional temperature at the midpoint. This isn't just an assortment of overtures and entr'actes with a vocal number thrown in; instead Sibelius follows the entire story and composes music to tag along throughout. This is the most satisfying incidental piece from the composer thus far.

Adding some extras to the main feast, Two Serious Pieces and In Memoriam are thrown into the mix. Talk about heavy programming, these two continue the moods from the morality play. The former is a violin concertante work, one of a rather spiritual quality which is rather interesting. The latter is a percussion-laden funeral march with one of those really long crescendo build-ups, a favorite musical technique of mine, especially in the hands of someone like Leif Segerstam who paces it beautifully.

Despite the heavy mood of the music on this recording, I think this recording is quite successful overall, especially the main work. I am not sure why Naxos decided to completely change the cover art with this Volume 4, going from the icy seaside landscapes of Volumes 1 - 3, to stark-white against digital art here, reminiscent of the Rossini overtures series I covered a while back (BLOG). No matter; just a curiosity.

It should be noted, Osmo Vänskä on BIS brings in Jedermann to 40 minutes in length, compared to Segerstam's 50. Of the 10 missing minutes, Vänskä shaves off 4 minutes from Mvt. 11 and 3 minutes from Mvt. 14, two of the longest from Segerstam at 13 and 9 minutes respectively. Plus, Vänskä pairs Jedermann with Belshazzar's Feast, my other favorite incidental music score from this Naxos Sibelius series (BLOG), so you may want to look there if Segerstam's deliberate way with Sibelius is maddening for you.

 

 

 

Works
Jedermann, op. 83 (49.18)
Two Serious Pieces, op. 77 (10.17)
In Memoriam, op. 59 (13.37)

Soloists
Pia Pajala, soprano
Tuomas Katajala, tenor
Nicholas Söderlund, bass

Mikaela Palmu, violin

Ensembles
Cathedralis Aboensis Choir
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Leif Segerstam, conductor

Label: Naxos
Year: 2015
Total Timing: 72.50

 

 

 

 

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