Jean Sibelius: Karelia; Kuolema [Import]

Jean Sibelius (Composer), Osmo Vänskä (Conductor), Lahti Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Lahti Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Osmo Vänskä
• Composer: Jean Sibelius
• Audio CD (January 25, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Bis
• ASIN: B0000016Q0
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,393 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Ouverture. (Allegro

2. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Tableau 1 - A Karel

3. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Tableau 2 - The Fou

4. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Tableau 3 - Narimon

5. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Intermezzo (1)

6. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Tableau 4 - Karl Kn

7. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Tableau 5 - Pontus

8. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Intermezzo (2)

9. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Tableau 6 - The sie

10. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Tableaux 7/8 - The

11. Scenic Music for a Festival and Lottery in Aid of Education, incidental music for voices & orchestra ('Karelia'): Tableaux 7/8 - The

12. Valse triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1: Scene 1 - Tempo de valse lente - Poco risoluto

13. Valse triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1: Scene 2 - Paavali's Song

14. Valse triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1: Scene 3 - Elas's Song

15. Valse triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1: Scene 4 - Andante (The Cranes)

16. Valse triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1: Scene 5 - Moderato

17. Valse triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1: Scene 6 - Andante ma non tanto

18. Valse Triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Colorful and refreshing Sibelius, June 13, 2004

By 

Jeffrey Lee (Asheville area, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jean Sibelius: Karelia; Kuolema (Audio CD)

Though I enjoy greatly Sibelius' music, I was a little unsure as to whether I should buy this disc, fearing some of the selections in the complete Karelia and the incidental music to Kuolema would merely constitute pablum. Happily, on this count, I turned out to be wrong. I was also concerned about some of the pieces which included voice, however, they proved to be both interesting and pleasantly satisfying. Musically, Karelia depicts some of the milestone historical events in Finland's quest for national unity and independence. There is a wonderful range of melodic expression throughout both it and the original version of Kuolema, based on Jarnefelt's play. Drama, charm, heroism and the beauty of the Nordic landscape are all clearly, colorfully and invigoratingly presented by Osmo Vanska and the attractive sounding Lahti Symphony Orchestra. Incidentally, the original version of the composer's Valse Triste is also included. It receives a nice performance as well. Altogether, this disc exceeded my expectations for enjoyment. It also provides excellent sound reproduction. Another very fine production from Bis.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, rarely heard Sibelius, January 13, 2011

By 

John K. Gayley (Physically in Wilmette, IL; Mentally in Siena, Italy) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jean Sibelius: Karelia; Kuolema (Audio CD)

Karelia was my introduction to Sibelius. And (Since I'm over 50 and can hide from no one, not even the AARP) I am unafraid to admit I was introduced to Sibelius by.....Keith Emerson and the Nice. You haven't experienced Karelia until you've heard it played with a Hammond C3 organ being rocked back and forth on stage to maximize the feedback...

But back to this enchanting CD. Several reviewers of other Sibelius incidental music have observed that its sometimes hit-or-miss. I agree. However, I think the renditions of both Karelia and Kuolema found on this CD add up to more than the sum of their parts. The full(er) Karelia featured here has the overture and Tableaux 1 - 8; it neatly puts the more familiar Karelia pieces in a fuller --and frankly very rousing--setting. I was pretty charged up after hearing it all. Kuolema does the same with the all-too-often-played Valse Triste. This is marvelous, lovely stuff, several notches above some of JS's other incidental pieces....reflective, at times even a bit brooding, but lovely nonetheless. There are several of the sections that feature vocalists. Generally I am not a fan of a lot of vocals, but Scene III of Luolema--Elsa's song--is just beautiful. The other vocal pieces are an organic part of the whole, and the soloists handle them very well. And (goes without saying) Vanska's hand at the helm...almost peerless. He's also recorded the Wood-Nymph on another CD which I'd also heartily recommend...a great discovery, long unpublished.

So Thanks to Osmo Vanska and the Lahti for digging this out. Well worth it. And of course, thanks to Keith Emerson as well for at least an "assist" all those 35 years ago.