Gimme Gimme Merikanto!!

[kyjo]

Just listened to Merikanto's Symphony no. 2 and was very impressed. It's quite an individual work which escapes the long shadow of Sibelius quite successfully - Merikanto's orchestration (which is phenomenal) and harmonies have more of a Gallic tinge to them. For a so-titled War Symphony, the work gets off to a pretty upbeat start, and while there is drama in the first movement, the real emotional meat of the piece is found in the dark slow movement (notable for its trombone glissandi at the climax). The first and final movements contain some superbly warm-hearted, life-affirming melodies that will make me want to return to this work soon.

[SymphonicAddict]

Just listened to Merikanto's Symphony no. 2 and was very impressed. It's quite an individual work which escapes the long shadow of Sibelius quite successfully - Merikanto's orchestration (which is phenomenal) and harmonies have more of a Gallic tinge to them. For a so-titled War Symphony, the work gets off to a pretty upbeat start, and while there is drama in the first movement, the real emotional meat of the piece is found in the dark slow movement (notable for its trombone glissandi at the climax). The first and final movements contain some superbly warm-hearted, life-affirming melodies that will make me want to return to this work soon.

I agree with your assessment. Such a convincing work, which is an exalting piece that raises the spirit. There is no any doubt it is my favorite work by him, and an imposing Finnish symphony.

[vandermolen]

Thanks to Kyle (Kylo) to alerting us to this one. So far I am enjoying every work. It should appeal to admirers of Prokofiev and Rachmaninov although Merikanto has an engagingly quirky, tonal style of his own:

[Skogwald]

I'm not a big opera fan, but Juha sounded like a very powerful work on first listen!

[Symphonic Addict]

Revisiting Merikanto's epic Symphony No. 2 in A major 'War Symphony'. What a glorious creation! The music follows that recognizable Nordic line akin to Atterberg, Melartin et al, with convincing development of ideas and expert orchestral handling. I'm more than grateful for the brilliant performance and recording it receives here. Anyone interested in Nordic/Scandinavian symphonies shouldn't miss it.

[Roasted Swan]

Revisiting Merikanto's epic Symphony No. 2 in A major 'War Symphony'. What a glorious creation! The music follows that recognizable Nordic line akin to Atterberg, Melartin et al, with convincing development of ideas and expert orchestral handling. I'm more than grateful for the brilliant performance and recording it receives here. Anyone interested in Nordic/Scandinavian symphonies shouldn't miss it.

Yup!  This is really good in every respect.....

[Symphonic Addict]

Yup!  This is really good in every respect.....

Glad you know it too. I think it is my favorite of his, albeit the 3rd Symphony is rather singular as well.

[kyjo]

Revisiting Merikanto's epic Symphony No. 2 in A major 'War Symphony'. What a glorious creation! The music follows that recognizable Nordic line akin to Atterberg, Melartin et al, with convincing development of ideas and expert orchestral handling. I'm more than grateful for the brilliant performance and recording it receives here. Anyone interested in Nordic/Scandinavian symphonies shouldn't miss it.

Thoroughly agreed! It's a work that's right up my alley in its richly melodic, recognizably Nordic idiom. The rather dark and more dissonant slow movement, memorably including trombone glissandi at its climax, provides effective contrast to the outer movements and seems to be a reflection of the tragic war years. I recall a particularly beautiful melody in the finale that is right up there with the finest inspirations of Atterberg, Melartin, et al.

Merikanto's 1st and 3rd symphonies are also worthwhile works in their own right. The 1st, while not without its longueurs, has enough appealing late-romantic incident to keep the listener's interest. By contrast, the much later and more "neoclassical" 3rd is a satisfyingly concise work with an atmospheric slow movement which is rather like a less overtly romantic version of one of Atterberg's slow movements.