Customer Reviews

Jean Sibelius: Karelia; Kuolema

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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.

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.