Thread: Jean Sibelius

Has anyone ever heard the fairly obscure orchestral work Cassazione (1904)? I've always liked it a lot, though it is far from his best work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1QGyuqH7fo

The opening is said to resemble the James Bond theme, as the Guardian in the UK points out:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/toms...ius-james-bond

Anyone care for a spy mission in the frozen north of Finland?

[QUOTE=Tapkaara;166558]
The opening is said to resemble the James Bond theme, as the Guardian in the UK points out:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/toms...ius-james-bond

Wow, it sure does.

Originally Posted by Tapkaara

The opening is said to resemble the James Bond theme, as the Guardian in the UK points out:

Wow, it sure does!

Originally Posted by Lukecash12

This might be surprising, but Glenn Gould played Sibelius fantastically:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kkiaRId8hQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrPMX-Sh-tQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A9fHOfMlqw

Not surprising in the least...thanks for posting

Glenn Gould, no less, was a champion of Sibelius's piano music. Sibelius's piano output is probably the most maligned of any major composer. A Sibelius fan such as myself, then, gets a little warm in the heart to know that at least one major pianist was such an advocate.

Gould said of Sibelius's piano music: "Sibelius never wrote against the grain of the keyboard."

His F major sonata is indeed worth of advocation. I remember that he didn't think of piano too high but some of his piano pieces truely make serious competition for Grieg.

Originally Posted by Aramis

His F major sonata is indeed worth of advocation. I remember that he didn't think of piano too high but some of his piano pieces truely make serious competition for Grieg.

It is true, Sibelius was not the biggest fan of the piano. (Could this be why there is no piano concerto in his output?)

I've found interesting advertisement:



is it still actuall? I would like to sign up for these lessons

Originally Posted by Aramis

I've found interesting advertisement:



is it still actuall? I would like to sign up for these lessons

Sibelius wasn't enthusiastic about teaching, either. But I am sure music lessons from him would have been quite an experience. What I wouldn't give to choke down a stogie with the Finnish master and hear his thoughts on theory...

Originally Posted by Tapkaara

Has anyone ever heard the fairly obscure orchestral work Cassazione (1904)? I've always liked it a lot, though it is far from his best work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1QGyuqH7fo

The opening is said to resemble the James Bond theme, as the Guardian in the UK points out:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/toms...ius-james-bond

Anyone care for a spy mission in the frozen north of Finland?

I have the Cassazione but I dont think I have listen to it closely before - will check it out next!

Sibelius, Stokowski and Shakespeare. Three great names, to be sure. But what happens when you mix all of them together? You get music from The Tempest!

Sibelius's hauntung Berceuse from his incidental music to The Tempest conducted by Leopold Stokowski. What do you guys think?

Sometimes old recording quality affects listening in positive way. This is good example of such situation. Sound of violins and clarinet gets specific charm from it.

Originally Posted by Aramis

Sometimes old recording quality affects listening in positive way. This is good example of such situation. Sound of violins and clarinet gets specific charm from it.

I agree! The pops on the recording add a dark atmosphere to music that's already pretty dark.

Here is my new poem about Sibelius:

Sibelius, Sibelius, tęgi ogrodnik,
Kwiaty hoduje nowe i dzikie,
Lecz nie rzuca swych nasion na chodnik!

Do you like it?

Originally Posted by Aramis

Here is my new poem about Sibelius:

Sibelius, Sibelius, tęgi ogrodnik,
Kwiaty hoduje nowe i dzikie,
Lecz nie rzuca swych nasion na chodnik!

Do you like it?

Poland, the nation of poets. And sausage.