Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra & Hannu Lintu - Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Legends & Pohjola's Daughter (2012) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist
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01. Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22: I. Lemminkäinen and the Maidens of the Island
02. Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22: II. The Swan of Tuonela
03. Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22: III. Lemminkäinen in Tuonela
04. Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22: IV. Lemminkäinen's Return
05. Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49


Year 2015 marks the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Jean Sibelius (1865– 1957), also known as “Finland’s national composer”. Lemminkäinen Legends is a large and fascinating orchestral work in four movements based on the Finnish Kalevala epic. Originally completed in 1895 the work has a unique position in Sibelius' oeuvre: Sibelius never came closer to the very core of Symbolism than in the misty moods, swan motifs and macabre features of Lemminkäinen. It also includes one of Sibelius' most well-known orchestral pieces, The Swan of Tuonela. Written before the 1st Symphony, it is also noteworthy that Lemminkäinen lacks nothing of a symphony.

Sibelius was not totally satisfied with the work, but withdrew the work soon after its premiere until it was heard again in 1935. However, in his late years Sibelius did not even totally reject the idea of calling Lemminkäinen as ‘a symphony'.

Pohjola's Daughter (Pohjolan tytär), completed in 1906, is among Sibelius' final orchestral pieces directly linked to the Kalevala epic in his transition from National Romanticism towards a more Classical idiom. It includes some of the boldest and most dramatic scoring that Sibelius ever wrote, illustrating Väinämöinen's futile attempts to win the maiden of Pohjola for himself.

Year 2015 marks the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), also known as 'Finland's national composer'.

The recent recordings of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra together with their Chief Conductor Hannu Lintu on Ondine have gathered excellent reviews in the international press.

“this is one of the most impressive versions of the four Legends in recent years.” (Classical Music)

“Textures are sifted with skill, chosen tempi are unfailingly judicious and Lintu shows a canny awareness of the bigger scheme...Ultimately, for all its sterling qualities, there's no getting away from an ever-so-slight element of reserve aobout Lintu's intelligent conception that will not be to all tastes...the performance [of Pohjola's Daughter] is a meticulously prepared, trim and keenly observant one.” (Gramophone Magazine)

Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Hannu Lintu, conductor

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