To the casual listener, Jean Sibelius is popular as a “Romantic Nationalist” composer; to the serious listener, he is a unique master symphonist. To both…
A midsummer sunset in southeastern Finland – Photo by Annona.
Sibelius demonstrates in the First Symphony a powerful sense of forward momentum. This is demonstrated with relentless energy by the Lahti Symphony (Sinfonia Lahti) in this recording, with razor sharp precision. This style brings out something that seemingly [...]
Many listeners have acknowledged the more “Slavic”, warmer tone of Ashkenazy’s Decca cycle – no problem for the First Symphony! The opening clarinet solo is already molded with personality, and indeed this reading of the Symphony bursts forth with brilliance and purpose – life.
This is a short review from about 1999 that I’m republishing as I revive and freshen up my original Inktroduction to Sibelius’s First Symphony. Originally available as a single CD with the Third Symphony, released under EMI’s Classics for Pleasure budget line in 1996, the recording is now available as part of a “Sibelius [...]
From the volcanic land of Björk Naxos has launched its new (the second after Adrian Leaper’s, also good) cycle of Sibelius Symphonies. For a company not well-known for repeat recordings of the same music, I can only say this bodes well for the composer – and what a smashing start this is!
Led by their [...]
The common and easily jumped-to conclusion about Sibelius’ First Symphony is that it is a “Romantic”, “Nationalist” and/or “patriotic” work. There is indeed some element of truth in using these convenient terms, but it would be unjustified to claim that that is all to this symphony.
Sibelius vehemently denied any extra-musical meaning to all his [...]
Jean Sibelius
I have traversed the forests of Tapio, I have heard tales from Kullervo's blade. I have scored the chorus of tempests, and transcribed the scent of drying hemp into song. I have caressed the smooth shell of Luonnotar's egg, and I have wept farewell for Runeberg's bard.

This blog belongs to the Inkpot Sibelius Nutcase. He writes about the Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius.The Dust of Hue on Twitter
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Aino art Berglund BIS butterfly featured Finland Finlandia Flying Inkpot Helsinki Inkpot Sibelius Nutcase intermezzo Kalevi Aho Karelia karelia suite Kavakos Kullervo kuolema Lahti Symphony Orchestra nature Okko Kamu Ondine organicism Osmo Vänskä ossia piano programme notes Prospero Romantic style Shakespeare Sibelius Singapore Symphony Orchestra symphonic fantasy symphony cycle Symphony No.1 Symphony no.4 Symphony No.5 Symphony No.7 Symphony No.8 Tapiola Tempest The Philharmonic Orchestra tone poem Viipuri violin concertoPopular Posts
- Tapiola 15 comment(s) | posted on April 22, 1999
- The Violin Concerto 10 comment(s) | posted on March 30, 1998
- Kullervo 9 comment(s) | posted on June 27, 1997
- Dust of Hue 5 comment(s) | posted on March 10, 2010
- Sibelius: The First Symphony 4 comment(s) | posted on January 6, 1999
- Complete Sibelius Symphonies: Paavo Berglund’s 1972-74 Bournemouth Cycle 4 comment(s) | posted on August 3, 1999







