Sibelius: Orchestral and Brass Music Bits 'n Bobs

 

Karelia Music

Like many, I have heard the three-movement Karelia Suite from Sibelius before, but not the composer's complete Karelia Music. Really, Osmo Vänskä needs to be congratulated for bringing so much of Sibelius' music to the recording studio, not to mention performing it so well. Certainly, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra is excellent throughout.

There is really no reason to not hear Karelia in its complete form. The Runic singers in the first movement is a blast, the baritone solo elevates the Ballade, and the final chorus is a nice crown to place upon a work detailing historical points of Finnish history through musical terms.

Of course you get the odd movement, such as The Duke of Lithuania Levying Taxes in the Province of Käkisalmi. I am sure this story is direly important in the Finland scheme of things, but all I expected was Pink Floyd jackpot jinglings. Yet, for a 50-minute work, it all comes together rather nicely. Plus, the scoring of the familiar Karelia Suite numbers are orchestrated differently in this Karelia guise, so there are still differences for listener even among the familiar parts.

Suite Mignonne
Suite Champêtre
Suite Characteristique

I actually approached these string-orchestra Suites in reverse order, beginning with Suite Characteristique. This work is perhaps the most frothy and bubbly I have ever heard Sibelius. I haven't read up on these pieces, but I assume they were written for piano, thus the light attitude may be more compositionally consistent for that type of audience. Either way, I thought Sibelius was channeling Offenbach or some such French delicate bon-bon. The addition of harp adds a delightful texture.

I wouldn't call the Suite Mignonne any heavier, yet the addition of flutes and the longer playing time make its music sound meatier. More dramatic still is the Suite Champêtre, particularly the emotional center movement, one chock full of long bowings, and the last movement using solo violin as well.

Cassazione
Presidential March

Whoa! This Presidential March features musical artillery in syncopation! Listen to those bass drums go too!

Of all the music here, I think it is Sibelius' Cassazione which was the real find for this listener. Its cinematic opening will take most by surprise. Perhaps the music goes on too long in the middle, stuck on a triple-time dance for far too long. Yet, I was intrigued all the same, especially through the orchestral colors Sibelius chooses.

The only downside to this performance of Cassazione is the acoustic, reminding me of a Turkish Bath or the local skating rink. I think I will try this one again on another recording.

Cassazione
Tiera

As promised above, I was going to try another recording of Cassazione to find its music in a friendlier acoustic. Yet, I didn't just find a better acoustic, but also a strong, taut reading too. Leave it to Neeme Järvi to not take this music over-seriously, and such an approach it works wonders. Plus, I always love hearing Gothenburg.

Tiera is a dreary brass work which does perk up in the end. Good to hear, but not one to revisit.

Pan and Echo

A short orchestral tone poem in much of a French vein. I can't say Pan and Echo made a terribly strong impression, but its light, filigree music making was delightful.

Scene with Cranes

I had heard the progenitor of Scene with Cranes from Leif Segerstam, so I wanted to make sure to visit the resulting symphonic poem. Like Pan and Echo, this one is rather short and also quite unassuming. Certainly, the listener can pick up the orchestral bird effects from the always sharp-playing Kremerata Baltica.

Karelia Music, op. 10/11
  Lahti Symphony Orchestra
  Osmo Vänskä, conductor
  BIS, 1997


Suite Mignonne, op. 98a
Suite Champêtre, op. 98b
Suite Characteristique, op. 100
  Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
  Neeme Järvi, conductor
  BIS, 1987


Cassazione, op. 6
Presidential March, JS 152
  Lahti Symphony Orchestra
  Osmo Vänskä, conductor
  BIS, 2003


Cassazione, op. 6
Tiera, JS 200
  Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
  Neeme Järvi, conductor
  BIS, 1989

Pan and Echo, op. 53
  Lahti Symphony Orchestra
  Osmo Vänskä, conductor
  BIS, 2006


Scene with Cranes
  Kremerata Baltica
  Gidon Kremer, leader
  Nonesuch, 2010

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