While Finland was part of the Russian empire, Sibelius's Finlandia sometimes had to be performed under a more neutral title like 'Impromptu' to avoid political repercussions.
Composition History
Sibelius's Finlandia originated from patriotic tableaux called the Press Celebrations Music, created in 1899 to support a free press against Russian censorship in Finland.
Composition History
Sibelius almost certainly completed his Eighth Symphony but destroyed the score before it could be performed, making Tapiola his last substantial orchestral composition.
Composer Biography
Axel Carpelan, an admirer who suggested the title Finlandia to Sibelius, became a crucial supporter and friend to the composer for twenty years.
Compositional Technique
The Swan of Tuonela, a movement from Sibelius's Lemminkäinen Suite, uniquely features a solo cor anglais treated almost like a concerto soloist, with a predominantly dark orchestration that omits flutes, clarinets (except bass clarinet), and trumpets.
Recording & Production
The Lahti Symphony Orchestra records all its albums in the Church of the Cross, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1978.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Sibelius, at 60 years old, was greatly inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest, seeing himself in the magician Prospero and his mysterious powers.
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Sibelius Orchestral Works
Sibelius: Finlandia
Sibelius: Swanwhite Suite / Belshazzar's Feast Suite / The Dryad / Dance Intermezzo / Pan and Echo
Sibelius: Finlandia, En Saga, Tapiola & The Swan of Tuonela
Sibelius: Finlandia
Sibelius: Finlandia; Luonnotar; Karelia Suite
Sibelius: Finlandia, Op. 26; Valse triste; The Swan of Tuonela; En Saga, Op. 9 & Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Sony Classical Originals
