The Snowshoed Sibelius

[Karl Henning]

Exactly so, Karl. That's precisely why I want to listen to it. I don't want to compare it with other versions - I just want to gatecrash Brian's party.

Because we know how enjoyable a party with Brian is!

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Listening to Tempest. In some peculiar way the part describing Prospero reminds me of Adagio of Bruckner's 7th. Amazingly inventive music.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

I found the 8th symphony manuscript the other day in amongst some old cook books. I used it to line the cake tray when making a delicious sachertorte variation...mmmmm I think Sibelius made all the difference!

[Karl Henning]

Wicked!

[Mirror Image]

Listening to Tempest. In some peculiar way the part describing Prospero reminds me of Adagio of Bruckner's 7th. Amazingly inventive music.

One of Sibelius' most brilliant pieces of music IMHO. I take it you listened to the complete version with Vanska/Lahti SO or just the suites?

[Jo498]

You will most certainly realize the difference, because the differences are substantial. The original version is more virtuosic, there are extended passages that do not appear in the final version (some really exquisite episodes there) and the orchestration is more raw and menacing. In both versions, Kavakos combines primal power and supreme artistry. Understanding where the piece came from and how it evolved might help you, but then it might not. I can only offer my unreserved recommendation.

Thanks! So now am as wise as I was before... I'll keep in on the list (things keep very well on lists...)

[Jaakko Keskinen]

One of Sibelius' most brilliant pieces of music IMHO. I take it you listened to the complete version with Vanska/Lahti SO or just the suites?

Complete version and I'm glad I did. Suite's not bad but this blows the suite out of the water.

[North Star]

Complete version and I'm glad I did. Suite's not bad but this blows the suite out of the water.

True. And what an apt metaphor to use of The Tempest.

[Mirror Image]

Complete version and I'm glad I did. Suite's not bad but this blows the suite out of the water.

Yes, it's always good to hear the complete work whenever you can. Suites offer only a glimpse into a work in most cases and don't give the full picture.

[Brian]

A note from BIS CEO Robert von Bahr about the Sibelius edition:

"Please consider the following so that you understand what Sibelius has meant to my family: My Great-great-grandfather was a cantor and luthier who actually tended to Sibelius's violin in his early years, his son was a violist, music critic (with the pen-name "bis"), who premièred several works by Sibelius and, on top of that, became Sibelius's first music publisher! His son, my Grandfather, was solo cellist in the Helsinki Phil and also premièred several works by Sibelius (and often went on drinking bouts with him), and his daughter, my Mother, being prima ballerina assoluta at the Finnish Opera, several times danced for him, incl. the Valse Triste. And I hereby close the circle with this Edition. So this isn't just editorial, it is also deeply personal and I am proud that the Sibelius Family has put to my disposal absolutely all material they have access to."

[Madiel]

I'm listening to Night Ride and Sunrise

[asin]B000068R26[/asin]

I've got to say, the "Night Ride" leaves me a bit cold. It feels so... obvious. It does eventually get going, but for the first section it's just an endless dotted rhythm and it just doesn't do anything interesting. It's pretty rare for me to say something like this, but to me the first few minutes of the piece needed a significant edit.

The "Sunrise", on the other hand, can take all the time it likes.

[Mirror Image]

I'm listening to Night Ride and Sunrise

[asin]B000068R26[/asin]

I've got to say, the "Night Ride" leaves me a bit cold. It feels so... obvious. It does eventually get going, but for the first section it's just an endless dotted rhythm and it just doesn't do anything interesting. It's pretty rare for me to say something like this, but to me the first few minutes of the piece needed a significant edit.

The "Sunrise", on the other hand, can take all the time it likes.

You bring up some good, and articulated, points about Night Ride & Sunrise. I don't know how to explain it, but I love the work. I don't think there's anything overlong about it nor do I think any editing should have been done. It has a mesmerizing effect on me. Almost like proto-Minimalism in a way --- that kind of static feeling I get from the Night Ride section. It's much of the same feeling I get from the atmospheric effects of The Wood Nymph. I can understand your sentiment, though.

[Madiel]

Yes, I thought of The Wood Nymph even as I was writing that post. Somehow I think the roughly equivalent passage in that work is marvellous, but this one not so much.

Anyway, you can't love 'em all.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

That tone poem The Wood Nymph doesn't seem to be performed very often. I wonder why...it's one of my favourites! (Along with Tapiola and Luonnotar of course).

[Elgarian]

I was listening to the 7th symphony the other day (Segerstam), and remembering that wonderful conversation I had five years ago in this thread with Brian, and recalling how valuable it had been - it starts roughly here, for anyone interested:

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,341.msg451626.html#msg451626

I still don't understand the principle - that is, I don't understand the whole idea of why it should be a 'good thing' to compress a symphony into a single movement; but what I especially enjoyed was a sense of familiarity that has eluded me for more than 40 years. I found myself just going with it - almost like taking a walk and recognising various places along the path. And on reaching the end ... there was this sense of infinite space and time, and the unfathomability of everything lying beneath and behind the partial fathomabilities, and the eerie satisfaction of contemplating that in the company of Sibelius.

Thanks Brian.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Although I had a short phase where I thought Nightride as monotonic, usually I love it, even when recognizing its possible faults which even then have some odd charm about it. Northern, somewhat bleaker impressionism, as Tawastjerna put it.

[North Star]

I hope everyone has their plans set for Janne's 150th birthday tomorrow. 

[Karl Henning]

Big day!

[Brahmsian]

I hope everyone has their plans set for Janne's 150th birthday tomorrow. 

I do now! 

[Brahmsian]

I hope everyone has their plans set for Janne's 150th birthday tomorrow. 

Anything particular on your queue for tomorrow?    I'll make it a week long celebration.

Some N. Jarvi tone poems, Maazel/Vienna symphonies and Hahn's Violin Concerto recordings.  Looking forward to it.