Episode 2
Donald Macleod presents an extended performance of Sibelius's incidental music for The Tempest, plus Vainon Virsi, the last work inspired by his love of the Kalevala national epic.
The years 1926-7 saw farewells to two of the greatest preoccupations of Sibelius' career. The cantata Väinön Virsi marked the end of the composer's lifelong obsession with the Kalevala, his nation's epic collection of ancient poems, chants and ballads.
Meanwhile, as one newspaper proclaimed: "Sibelius and Shakespeare, two geniuses, have found each other". Donald Macleod introduces an extended performance of Sibelius' Prelude and Suites of incidental music composed for a performance of The Tempest in 1926 - the last of no fewer than 11 theatre music works, spanning the composer's career.
Last on
Music Played
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Jean Sibelius
Den Höga Himlen / The Lofty Heav'n, Op.113 no.11 (1927)
Performers: Jubilate Choir / Astrid Riska
- ONDINE ODE8052.
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Jean Sibelius
Väinön Virsi ("Vaino's Song") (1926)
Performers: Ellerhein Girls' Choir & Estonian National Male Choir, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra / Paavo Järvi
- VIRGIN CLASSICS 5455892.
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Jean Sibelius
The Tempest: Prelude and Concert Suites
Performers: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra / Neemi Järvi
- BIS CD191214.
Broadcasts
- Tue 19 May 200912:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 19 May 200922:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 18 Jan 201112:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 18 Jan 201122:00BBC Radio 3
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