Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Joseph Swensen - Sibelius: Theatre Music (2003) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Pelleas and Melisande: I. At the Castle Gate
02. Pelleas and Melisande: II. Melisande
03. Pelleas and Melisande: III. At the Seashore
04. Pelleas and Melisande: IV. A Spring in the Park
05. Pelleas and Melisande: V. The Three Blind Sisters
06. Pelleas and Melisande: VI. Pastorale
07. Pelleas and Melisande: VII. Melisande at the Spinning-Wheel
08. Pelleas and Melisande: VIII. Entr'acte
09. The Death of Melisande
10. Kuolema Valse Triste
11. Belshazzars Feast: I. Oriental Procession
12. Belshazzars Feast: II. Solitude
13. Belshazzars Feast: III. Nocturne
14. Belshazzars Feast: IV. Khadra's Dance
15. The Tempest, Op. 109, Suite No. 2: I. Chorus of the Winds
16. The Tempest, Op. 109, Suite No. 2: II. Intermezzo
17. The Tempest, Op. 109, Suite No. 2: III. Dance of the Nymphs
18. The Tempest, Op. 109, Suite No. 2: IV. Prospero
19. The Tempest, Op. 109, Suite No. 2: V. Song 1
20. The Tempest, Op. 109, Suite No. 2: VI. Song 2
21. The Tempest, Op. 109, Suite No. 2: VII. Miranda
22. The Tempest, Op. 109, Suite No. 2: VIII. Naiads
23. The Tempest, Op. 109, Suite No. 2: IX. Dance Episode
24. Andante Festivo

In Linn's third release in collaboration with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Joseph Swensen conducts a programme of Jean Sibelius' theatre music.

The foundations of Sibelius's reputation are his symphonies, tone poems and increasingly his songs but the music he wrote for the stage throughout his creative life includes some of his finest scores. This recording presents his theatre music from two distinct periods - the 1900s (contemporary with his Violin Concerto, and the Second and Third Symphonies) and the 1920s, including some of the last works of his to survive.

Striking economy of expression and intensity are characteristics shared by much of his incidental music for the stage. In his stage music, Sibelius tends not so much to accompany dramatic action but to set scenes, create atmosphere or provide a prelude or intermezzo to the action for what were predominantly exotic or mystical dramas.

Joseph Swensen and the SCO have released five recordings together through the Orchestra's partnership with Linn including music by Dvorak, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Prokofiev.

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