Karelia Suite: Difference between revisions
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In 1997, composer [[Jouni Kaipainen]] reconstructed the complete ''Karelia Music'' for the first time, and it has since been recorded and released on [[CD]]. It consists of an Overture and ten pieces, and runs about 44 minutes, as opposed to the suite, which lasts about twelve minutes. |
In 1997, composer [[Jouni Kaipainen]] reconstructed the complete ''Karelia Music'' for the first time, and it has since been recorded and released on [[CD]]. It consists of an Overture and ten pieces, and runs about 44 minutes, as opposed to the suite, which lasts about twelve minutes. |
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The rough-hewn character of the music was deliberate: the aesthetic intention was not to dazzle with technique but to capture the quality of "naive," folk-based authenticity. |
The rough-hewn character of the music was deliberate: the aesthetic intention was not to dazzle with technique but to capture the quality of "naive," folk-based authenticity. Historical comment has noted the nationalistic character of the music.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://mq.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/XIII/4/617 | last=Lyle | first=Watson | title=The "Nationalism" of Sibelius | journal=The Musical Quarterly | volume=13 | issue=4 | pages=617-629 | date=1927 | accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref> |
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The suite is scored for 3 [[flute]]s(3rd doubling [[piccolo]]), 3 [[oboe]]s(3rd doubling [[english horn]]), 2 [[clarinet]]s, 2 [[bassoon]]s, 5 [[french horn|horn]], 3 [[trumpet]]s, 3 [[trombone]]s, [[tuba]], [[timpani]], [[bass drum]], [[cymbal]]s, [[triangle (instrument)|triangle]], [[tambourine]], [[string section|string]]s. |
The suite is scored for 3 [[flute]]s(3rd doubling [[piccolo]]), 3 [[oboe]]s (3rd doubling [[english horn]]), 2 [[clarinet]]s, 2 [[bassoon]]s, 5 [[french horn|horn]], 3 [[trumpet]]s, 3 [[trombone]]s, [[tuba]], [[timpani]], [[bass drum]], [[cymbal]]s, [[triangle (instrument)|triangle]], [[tambourine]], [[string section|string]]s. Ralph Wood has commented on the role of the percussion in this composition.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0027-4224(194201)23%3A1%3C10%3ASUOP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-P | last=Wood | first=Ralph W. | title=Sibelius's Use of Percussion | journal=Music & Letters, | volume=23 | issue=1 | pages=10-23 | date=1942 | accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref> |
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The suite is in three movements: |
The suite is in three movements: |
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*''Intermezzo'', a jaunty Allegro march-like theme, which begins low down in the orchestra, depicting a procession, the orchestra brilliantly portraying the atmosphere of marching contingents in a waving sea of flags. The piece was used in the UK as a title theme for the long-running ITV current affairs programme "This Week". |
*''Intermezzo'', a jaunty Allegro march-like theme, which begins low down in the orchestra, depicting a procession, the orchestra brilliantly portraying the atmosphere of marching contingents in a waving sea of flags. The piece was used in the UK as a title theme for the long-running ITV current affairs programme "This Week". |
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*''Ballade'', "sung" by a [[bard]] (on [[cor anglais]]), reflecting the mood of a fifteenth-century Swedish king, [[Charles VIII of Sweden|Karl Knutsson]], reminiscing in his castle whilst being entertained by a minstrel. |
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*''Alla Marcia'', an exhilarating march, originally incidental to a tableau depicting a castle siege. |
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The suite is one of Sibelius's earlier works and remains one of his most popular. |
The suite is one of Sibelius's earlier works and remains one of his most popular. |
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Sibelius held the Karelia province in particular affection. In earlier years he had found stimulus in its folk music, and later he was to spend his honeymoon there. |
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==References== |
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[[Category:Compositions by Jean Sibelius]] |
[[Category:Compositions by Jean Sibelius]] |
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Revision as of 01:05, 23 March 2008
The Karelia Suite is a collection of pieces composed by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, published as his Op. 11.
The pieces are drawn from several independent works he wrote in 1893 for a patriotic historical pageant to be presented by students of the University of Helsinki in Viipuri, Karelia, in the south-eastern corner of Finland. Sibelius subsequently compiled a "Concert Suite" of three pieces from the pageant's incidental music (an overture was published separately).
In 1997, composer Jouni Kaipainen reconstructed the complete Karelia Music for the first time, and it has since been recorded and released on CD. It consists of an Overture and ten pieces, and runs about 44 minutes, as opposed to the suite, which lasts about twelve minutes.
The rough-hewn character of the music was deliberate: the aesthetic intention was not to dazzle with technique but to capture the quality of "naive," folk-based authenticity. Historical comment has noted the nationalistic character of the music.[1]
The suite is scored for 3 flutes(3rd doubling piccolo), 3 oboes (3rd doubling english horn), 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 5 horn, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tambourine, strings. Ralph Wood has commented on the role of the percussion in this composition.[2]
The suite is in three movements:
- Intermezzo, a jaunty Allegro march-like theme, which begins low down in the orchestra, depicting a procession, the orchestra brilliantly portraying the atmosphere of marching contingents in a waving sea of flags. The piece was used in the UK as a title theme for the long-running ITV current affairs programme "This Week".
- Ballade, "sung" by a bard (on cor anglais), reflecting the mood of a fifteenth-century Swedish king, Karl Knutsson, reminiscing in his castle whilst being entertained by a minstrel.
- Alla Marcia, an exhilarating march, originally incidental to a tableau depicting a castle siege.
The suite is one of Sibelius's earlier works and remains one of his most popular.
Sibelius held the Karelia province in particular affection. In earlier years he had found stimulus in its folk music, and later he was to spend his honeymoon there.
References
- ^ Lyle, Watson (1927). "The "Nationalism" of Sibelius". The Musical Quarterly. 13 (4): 617–629. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
- ^ Wood, Ralph W. (1942). "Sibelius's Use of Percussion". Music & Letters,. 23 (1): 10–23. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
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