Melartin chose a Kalevala topic for Marjatta to emphasize Finnish identity and culture during a time when Finland's autonomy within the Russian Empire was threatened.
Composition History
Melartin's tone poem Traumgesicht was written in just six weeks after Alexander Siloti, a prominent figure in St. Petersburg's musical life, requested a shorter piece for his concert series.
Composer Biography
Erkki Melartin, the composer, was a central figure in Finnish musical life for forty years, also serving as a professional conductor and the director of the institution that became the Sibelius Academy.
Compositional Technique
Traumgesicht, a tone poem by Melartin, is structured with two broad arcs that can be seen as exposition and recapitulation, with the latter arc featuring a Mahlerian funeral march.
Composition History
The Blue Pearl (Sininen helmi) by Melartin, premiered in 1931, is significant as the first full-length ballet written in Finland.
Performer Biography
Soile Isokoski, the soprano on this recording, is recognized as one of the world's finest lyric sopranos and has received awards including the Pro Finlandia Medal and the honorary title of 'Österreichische Kammersängerin'.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Melartin's Traumgesicht demonstrates his embrace of cutting-edge international trends like Impressionism, differing from the National Romantic image often associated with him.
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