The Essential SIBELIUS [15CD] (2006)

Tracklist

CD1
1.01. Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39 I. Andante, ma non troppo Allegro energico
1.02. Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39 II. Andante (ma non troppo lento)
1.03. Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39 III. Scherzo Allegro
1.04. Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39 IV. Finale (Quasi una Fantasia) - Andante - Allegro molto
1.05. Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63 I. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio
1.06. Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63 II. Allegro molto vivace
1.07. Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63 III. Il tempo largo
1.08. Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63 IV. Allegro

CD2
2.01. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 I. Allegretto
2.02. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 II. Tempo Andanre, ma rubato
2.03. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 III. Vivacissimo -
2.04. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 IV. Finale Allegro moderato
2.05. Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 52 I. Allegro moderato
2.06. Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 52 II. Andantino con moto, quasi allegretto
2.07. Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 52 III. Moderato - Allegro (ma non tanto)

CD3
3.01. Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82 I. Tempo molto moderato Allegro moderato
3.02. Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82 II. Andante mosso, quasi allegretto
3.03. Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82 III. Allegro molto Largamente assai
3.04. En saga, Op. 9 En Saga, Op. 9
3.05. Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49 Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49
3.06. Valse triste, Op. 44, No. 1
3.07. Finlandia, Op. 26 Finlandia, Op. 26

CD4
4.01. Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104 I. Allegro molto moderato
4.02. Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104 II. Allegretto moderato
4.03. Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104 III. Poco vivace
4.04. Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104 IV. Allegro molto
4.05. Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 105
4.06. Tapiola, Op. 112 Tapiola, Op. 112
5.01. Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 I. Allegro moderato

CD5
5.02. Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 II. Adagio di molto
5.03. Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 III. Allegro, ma non tanto
5.04. 2 Pieces, Op. 77 (version for violin and orchestra) No. 1. Cantique (Laetare anima mea) Moderato assai
5.05. 2 Pieces, Op. 77 (version for violin and orchestra) No. 2. Devotion (Ab imo pectore) Tempo molto moderato
5.06. 2 Serenades, Op. 69 Serenade No. 1 in D major, Op. 69, No. 1
5.07. 2 Serenades, Op. 69 Serenade No. 2 in G minor, Op. 69, No. 2
5.08. Humoresque No. 1 in D minor, Op. 87, No. 1
5.09. Humoresque No. 2 in D major, Op. 87, No. 2
5.10. Humoresque No. 3 in G minor, Op. 89a
5.11. Humoresque No. 4 in G minor, Op. 89b
5.12. Humoresque No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 89c
5.13. Humoresque No. 6 in G minor, Op. 89d

CD6
6.01. Kullervo, Op. 7 Introduction Allegro moderato
6.02. Kullervo, Op. 7 Kullervo's Youth Grave
6.03. Kullervo, Op. 7 Kullervo and his Sister Allegro vivace
6.04. Kullervo, Op. 7 Kullervo Goes to War Alla marcia (Allegro molto) - Vivace - Presto
6.05. Kullervo, Op. 7 Kullervo's Death Andante

CD7
7.01. The Wood-Nymph, Op. 15
7.02. Lemminkainen Suite, Op. 22 I. Lemminkainen and the Maidens of the Island
7.03. Lemminkainen Suite, Op. 22 II. The Swan of Tuonela
7.04. Lemminkainen Suite, Op. 22 III. Lemminkainen in Tuonela
7.05. Lemminkainen Suite, Op. 22 IV. Lemminkainen's Return

CD8
8.01. Karelia Suite, Op. 11 I. Intermezzo
8.02. Karelia Suite, Op. 11 II. Ballade
8.03. Karelia Suite, Op. 11 III. Alla marcia
8.04. Scenes historiques I, Op. 25 I. All'Overtura
8.05. Scenes historiques I, Op. 25 II. Scena
8.06. Scenes historiques I, Op. 25 III. Festivo
8.07. Song of the Athenians, Op. 31, No. 3 Atenarnes sang (Song of the Athenians), Op. 31, No. 3
8.08. The Origin of Fire, Op. 32 (revised version) Tulen Synty (Origin of Fire), Op. 32
8.09. Vapautettu kuningatar (The Captive Queen), Op. 48
8.10. Rakastava, Op. 14 (published orchestral version for string orchestra and percussion) I. The Lover Andante con moto
8.11. Rakastava, Op. 14 (published orchestral version for string orchestra and percussion) II. The Path of His Beloved Allegretto
8.12. Rakastava, Op. 14 (published orchestral version for string orchestra and percussion) III. Good Evening!...Farewell! Andantino -
8.13. Andante festivo (version for string orchestra) Andante Festivo, JS 34b, (revised version for strings and timpani)

CD9
9.01. King Kristian II, Op. 27 I. Nocturne
9.02. King Kristian II, Op. 27 II. Elegie
9.03. King Kristian II, Op. 27 III. Musette
9.04. King Kristian II, Op. 27 IV. Serenade
9.05. King Kristian II, Op. 27 V. Ballade
9.06. Pelleas and Melisande, Op. 46 (version for orchestra) No. 1 Prelude to Act I Scene 1, At the Castle-gate
9.07. Pelleas and Melisande, Op. 46 (version for orchestra) No. 2 Prelude to Act I Scene 2, Melisande
9.08. No. 2a Melodrama in Act I Scene 4, At the seashore
9.09. Pelleas and Melisande, Op. 46 (version for orchestra) No. 3 Prelude to Act II Scene 1, A Spring in the Park
9.10. Pelleas and Melisande, Op. 46 (version for orchestra) No. 4 Song in Act III Scene 2, De trenne blinda systrar (The 3 Blind Siste
9.11. Pelleas and Melisande, Op. 46 (version for orchestra) No. 5 Melodrama in Act III Scene 4, Pastorale
9.12. Pelleas and Melisande, Op. 46 (version for orchestra) No. 6 Prelude to Act III Scene 1, Melisande at the Spinning Wheel
9.13. Pelleas and Melisande, Op. 46 (version for orchestra) No. 7 Prelude to Act IV Scene 1, Entr'acte
9.14. Pelleas and Melisande, Op. 46 (version for orchestra) No. 8 Prelude to Act V Scene 2, The Death of Melisande
9.15. The Tempest Suite No. 1, Op. 109, No. 2 I. The Oak Tree
9.16. The Tempest Suite No. 1, Op. 109, No. 2 II. Humoresque
9.17. The Tempest Suite No. 1, Op. 109, No. 2 III. Caliban's song
9.18. The Tempest Suite No. 1, Op. 109, No. 2 VII. Intrada - Berceuse
9.19. The Tempest Suite No. 1, Op. 109, No. 2 VIII. Entr'acte. IX. Ariel's Song
9.20. The Tempest Suite No. 2, Op. 109, No. 3 I. Chorus of the Winds
9.21. The Tempest Suite No. 2, Op. 109, No. 3 II. Intermezzo
9.22. The Tempest Suite No. 2, Op. 109, No. 3 III. Dance of the Nymphs
9.23. The Tempest Suite No. 2, Op. 109, No. 3 IV. Prospero
9.24. The Tempest Suite No. 2, Op. 109, No. 3 VII. Miranda
9.25. The Tempest Suite No. 1, Op. 109, No. 2 X. The Storm

CD10
10.01. Snofrid, Op. 29 Snofrid, Op. 29
10.02. Barden (The Bard), Op. 64 The Bard, Op. 64
10.03. The Oceanides, Op. 73 The Oceanides, Op. 73
10.04. Luonnotar, Op. 70 Luonnotar, Op. 70
10.05. 6 Partsongs, Op. 18 (arr. for mixed chorus) Sortunut aani (The Broken Voice), Op. 18, No. 1
10.06. Venematka (The Boat Journey), Op. 18, No. 3
10.07. 6 Partsongs, Op. 18 (arr. for mixed chorus) Sydameni laulu (Song of my Heart), Op. 18, No. 6
10.08. Rakastava (The Lover), Op. 14, JS 160c (version for choir) Rakastava (The Lover), JS 160c
10.09. Isanmaalle (To the Fatherland), JS 98a (1900 version) Isanmaalle (To the Fatherland), JS 98a
10.10. 6 Partsongs, Op. 18 (arr. for mixed chorus) Saarella palaa (Fire on the island), Op. 18, No. 4 (arr. for mixed chorus)
10.11. 9 Songs, Op. 23 Soi kiitokseksi Luojan (We Praise Thee, Our Creator), Op. 23, No. 6a
10.12. Man fran slatten och havet (People of Land and Sea), Op. 65a
10.13. 5 Partsongs, Op. 84 Till havs (At Sea), Op. 84, No. 5
10.14. Fridolins darskap (Fridolin's Folly), JS 84
10.15. Jonah's Voyage, JS 100 Jone havsfard (Jonah's Voyage), JS 100
10.16. Jaakarien marssi (Jager March), Op. 91a Jaakarien marssi (March of the Finnish Jager Battalion), Op. 91a
10.17. Finlandia-hymni (arr. J. Panula) Finlandia-Hymn

CD11
11.01. 6 Songs, Op. 36 (version for voice and piano) I. Svarta rosor (Black Roses)
11.02. 6 Songs, Op. 36 (version for voice and piano) II. Men min fagel marks dock icke (But My Bird is Long in Homing)
11.03. 6 Songs, Op. 36 (version for voice and piano) IV. Sav, sav, susa (Reed, reed, rustle)
11.04. 7 Songs, Op. 17 Illalle (To Evening), Op. 17, No. 6
11.05. 6 Songs, Op. 50 III. Im Feld ein Mädchen singt (In the Field a Maid Sings)
11.06. 6 Songs, Op. 50 IV. Aus banger Brust (From Anxious Heart)
11.07. 6 Songs, Op. 50 V. Die stille Stadt (The Silent City)
11.08. 5 Songs, Op. 37 Varen flyktar hastigt (Spring is Flying), Op. 13, No. 4
11.09. 7 Songs, Op. 17 Se'n har jag ej fragat mera (And I Questioned Then No Further), Op. 17, No. 1
11.10. 5 Songs, Op. 38 (version for voice and orchestra) Hostkvall (Autumn Evening), Op. 38, No. 1
11.11. Arioso, Op. 3 (version for voice and orchestra) Arioso, Op. 3
11.12. Nacken, JS 138
11.13. 5 Christmas Songs, Op. 1 (version for voice and piano) Giv mig ej glans, ej guld, ej prakt (Give me no splendour, gold or pomp),
11.14. 8 Songs, Op. 57 (version for voice and piano) V. Jag ar ett trad (The Tree)
11.15. 8 Songs, Op. 57 (version for voice and piano) VIII. Nacken (The Elf King)
11.16. Hymn to Thais, the Unforgettable, JS 97 Hymn to Thais, the Unforgettable, JS 97
11.17. 6 Songs, Op. 72 (version for voice and piano) IV. Kaiutar (The Echo Nymph)
11.18. 6 Songs, Op. 86 II. Langtan heter min arvedel (Vain longings are my heritage)
11.19. 6 Songs, Op. 86 VI. I systrar, I broder, I alskande par (Ye sisters, ye brothers, ye loving couples!)
11.20. 6 Songs, Op. 36 (version for voice and piano) Demanten pa marssnon (The Diamond on the March Snow), Op. 36, No. 6
11.21. Kung Kristian II (King Christian II), Op. 27 Sangen om korsspindeln (Fool's Song of the Spider
11.22. 5 Songs, Op. 38 (version for voice and orchestra) Pa verandan vid havet (On a Balcony by the Sea), Op. 38, No. 2
11.23. Twelfth Night, Op. 60 (version for voice and orchestra) Trettondagsafton (Twelfth Night), Op. 60 Kom nu hit, Dod (Come away, Dea
11.24. Souda, souda sinisorsa (Row, row, duck), JS 180 Souda, souda, sinisorsa (Row, row, duck), JS 180
11.25. 6 Songs, Op. 90 I. Norden (The North)
11.26. Narciss, JS 140 Narciss (Narcissus), JS 140
11.27. 5 Songs, Op. 37 (version for voice and piano) I. Den forsta kyssen (The First Kiss)
11.28. 5 Songs, Op. 37 (version for voice and piano) IV. Var det en drom (Was It a Dream)
11.29. 5 Songs, Op. 37 (version for voice and piano) V. Flickan kom ifran sin alsklings mote (The girl returned from meeting her lover)
11.30. Tanken (The Thought), JS 192 Tanken (The Thought)

CD12
12.01. Moderato - Allegro appassionato in C sharp minor, JS 131
12.02. String Quartet in A minor, JS 183 I. Andante Allegro
12.03. String Quartet in A minor, JS 183 II. Adagio ma non tanto
12.04. String Quartet in A minor, JS 183 III. Vivace
12.05. String Quartet in A minor, JS 183 IV. Allegro
12.06. String Quartet in D minor, Op. 56, Voces Intimae I. Andante - Allegro molto moderato
12.07. String Quartet in D minor, Op. 56, Voces Intimae II. Vivace
12.08. String Quartet in D minor, Op. 56, Voces Intimae III. Adagio di molto
12.09. String Quartet in D minor, Op. 56, Voces Intimae IV. Allegretto (ma pesante)
12.10. String Quartet in D minor, Op. 56, Voces Intimae V. Allegro

CD13
13.01. Piano Trio in D major, Korpo, JS 209 I. Allegro moderato
13.02. Piano Trio in D major, Korpo, JS 209 II. Fantasia
13.03. Piano Trio in D major, Korpo, JS 209 III. Finale
13.04. Piano Quintet in G minor, JS 159 I. Grave - Allegro
13.05. Piano Quintet in G minor, JS 159 II. Intermezzo Moderato
13.06. Piano Quintet in G minor, JS 159 III. Andante
13.07. Piano Quintet in G minor, JS 159 IV. Scherzo Vivacissimo
13.08. Piano Quintet in G minor, JS 159 V. Moderato - Vivace
13.09. La pompeuse Marche d'Asis, JS 116

CD14
14.01. Vattendropper (Water Drops), JS 216
14.02. Andante Cantabile in E flat major, JS 30B
14.03. Andante cantabile in G major, JS 33 Andante cantabile in G major
14.04. Violin Sonata in F major, JS 178 I. Allegro
14.05. Violin Sonata in F major, JS 178 II. Andante
14.06. Violin Sonata in F major, JS 178 III. Vivace
14.07. Malinconia, Op. 20
14.08. 4 Pieces, Op. 78 I. Impromptu
14.09. 4 Pieces, Op. 78 II. Romance in F major
14.10. 4 Pieces, Op. 78 III. Religioso
14.11. 4 Pieces, Op. 78 IV. Rigaudon
14.12. Violin Sonatina in E major, Op. 80 I. Lento - Allegro
14.13. Violin Sonatina in E major, Op. 80 II. Andantino
14.14. Violin Sonatina in E major, Op. 80 III. Lento - Allegretto
14.15. I. Largamente assai - Vivace
14.16. 5 Danses champetres, Op. 106 II. Alla polacca

CD15
15.01. Florestan, JS 82 I. Moderato
15.02. Florestan, JS 82 II. Molto moderato
15.03. Florestan, JS 82 III. Andante
15.04. Florestan, JS 82 IV. Tempo I
15.05. 6 Impromptus, Op. 5 Impromptus in B minor, Op. 5, No. 5
15.06. Piano Sonata in F major, Op. 12 I. Allegro molto
15.07. Piano Sonata in F major, Op. 12 II. Andantino
15.08. Piano Sonata in F major, Op. 12 III. Vivacissimo
15.09. 10 Pieces, Op. 24 Romance in D flat major, Op. 24, No. 9
15.10. Kyllikki, Op. 41 I. Largamente - Allegro
15.11. Kyllikki, Op. 41 II. Andantino
15.12. Kyllikki, Op. 41 III. Commodo
15.13. Piano Sonatina in F sharp minor, Op. 67, No. 1 I. Allegro
15.14. Piano Sonatina in F sharp minor, Op. 67, No. 1 II. Largo
15.15. Piano Sonatina in F sharp minor, Op. 67, No. 1 III. Allegro moderato
15.16. Piano Sonatina in B flat minor, Op. 67, No. 3 I. Allegro
15.17. Piano Sonatina in B flat minor, Op. 67, No. 3 II. Andantino
15.18. Piano Sonatina in B flat minor, Op. 67, No. 3 III. Allegro
15.19. Piano Sonatina in B flat minor, Op. 67, No. 3 I. Andante - Allegro moderato
15.20. Piano Sonatina in B flat minor, Op. 67, No. 3 II. Andante - Allegro
15.21. 5 Pieces, Op. 75, The Trees The Solitary Fir
15.22. 5 Pieces, Op. 75, The Trees The Spruce
15.23. 5 Romantic Pieces, Op. 101 Scene romantique, Op. 101, No. 5
15.24. 5 Characteristic Impressions, Op. 103 The Village Church, Op. 103, No. 1




As part of the countdown to the 50th anniversary of the death of Sibelius, this collection offers a panoramic view of a composer who is all too often thought of as ’only’ a great symphonist. The Essential Sibelius attempts to rectify this view by presenting a varied selection of all the genres pursued by the Finnish master: besides the seven symphonies, the box also includes the violin concerto, tone poems and theatre music as well as songs, choral pieces, chamber works and piano music.

Pride of place naturally goes to the orchestral works, however - the first four albums consist of the cycle of symphony recordings that made critics dub Osmo Vänskä and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra ’the pre-eminent Sibelius interpreters of our day’ when it was first released. The same performers share the task of presenting the other orchestral works - including Finlandia, Kullervo and the theatre music to ’The Tempest’, to name but three - with the Gothenburg SO conducted by Neeme Järvi, in recordings that many consider the finest available of this music.

Participating artists include international soloists such as Leonidas Kavakos, whose performance of the violin concerto won a Gramophone Award, and Anne Sofie von Otter, whose interpretations of the songs set a never-surpassed standard, as well as Jorma Hynninen and Monica Groop, heading a field consisting of some of Finland’s finest musicians. Again, universally acclaimed masterpieces such as the string quartet Voces intimae are juxtaposed with less well-known gems – including the world première recording of The Watersprite, a brief ‘melodrama’ for mezzo-soprano, narrator and piano trio. In fact, of the more than 19 hours of music in this generous collection, a good one and a half albums consists of recent, previously unreleased recordings.

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