Jean Sibelius, primarily known for his symphonic music, has only recently gained widespread attention for his chamber, instrumental, choral, and solo vocal works.
Composition History
Sibelius's choral piece "Rakastava" (The Lover) was originally written for a competition organized by the Helsinki University Chorus in 1894, where it only won second prize.
Performer Biography
Jubilate, the choir on this recording, was founded as a children's choir in 1967 by its conductor Astrid Riska and has since grown into a chamber choir.
Compositional Technique
The piece "Soitapas, soria likka" (Play, Beautiful Girl) features an expressive four-bar-long tenor solo in 5/4 time, separating more robust outer sections in 2/4.
Cultural Impact
The symphonic poem "Finlandia" became a symbol and focus of the Finnish drive towards independence.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Sibelius himself remarked that flirting with workers was worse than currying favor with the upper class, as it required crushing one's own personality.
Composition History
Sibelius composed "Ej med klagan" (Not with Lamentation) for the funeral of artist Albert Edelfelt, who died suddenly in August 1905.
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