Lahti Symphony Orchestra - Scenes From The Kalevala - Import SACD Hybrid

Credits:

Lahti Symphony Orchestra

Description:

Lahti Symphony Orchestra, led by Slobodenyuk, presents a remarkable new recording. SACD hybrid recording of works from the folk epic "Kalevala"! In 1935, when Finland was under the rule of the Russian Empire, a collection of folk epics entitled "Kalevala" was collected and compiled by the physician and philologist Elias Lönnrodt (1802-1884). The story of the creation of the world and the episodes of adventurers, heroes, and poets have continued to inspire Finnish culture and art, while stimulating Finnish national consciousness. This album by the Lahti Symphony Orchestra and its principal conductor, Dima Slobodeniuk, features four orchestral works composed between 1897 and 1943 that are related to "Kalevala". Levi Madetoya's (1887-1947) "Kullervo" was written as a symphonic poem (sound poem or concert overture) based on episodes from chapters 33-36 of "Kalevala," the same work for mezzo-soprano, baritone, male chorus and orchestra that Sibelius composed in 1892.The work is tinged with melancholy and sentimentality, with striking melodies and airy orchestration. Uno Krami's (1900-1961) Kalevala Suite [Creation of the Earth (Maan synty) / Spring Buds (Kevaan oras) / Terhenniemi / Lullaby of Lemminkaiselle (Kehtolaulu Lemminkaiselle) / Casting of Sampo (Sammon taonta)] is considered a Finnish milestone in this genre. The piece includes "The Creation of the Earth," a vision of an infinite universe; "Spring Buds," a gentle rural poem; "Terhenniemi," a summer night scherzo; "Lemminkainen's Lullaby," a melody in mournful tones; and "The Casting of Sampo," a finale that climaxes with the sound of metal hammers. This work boldly uses "primary color" orchestration, comparable to Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring," to create a new "world of Kalevala" away from the influence of Sibelius. Tauno Pulkkanen's (1918-1980) "The Expedition of Kullervo" was composed at the age of 24, three years before his success with the opera "Marais et son".The rhythmic theme evokes the galloping of a horse, the energetic music expresses the belligerent character of Clervo, and the melancholic mood created by the chorus-angle solos. It was composed with the inspiration of the fresco of the same name by the painter Axeli Gallen-Carrera. Sibelius' symphonic poem "Lemminkainen" (Four Legends) is one of the most representative works of his early years, along with "Kullervo." The first draft from 1895 was premiered the following April 1896, and the first revision was made two years later in 1897. In this revision, the second piece, "Lemminkainen in Tuonela," was completely cut from the 32-bar introduction and the middle section was greatly shortened. The orchestration was also modified. The 1897 version is the world premiere recording of this album. King International

Tracklisting:

1.Kullervo, Op. 15
2.Kalevala Suite, Op. 23~I. Maan synty (The Creation of the Earth) Agitato e misterioso - attacca -
3.Kalevala Suite, Op. 23~II. Kevaan oras (The Sprout of Spring) Andante, molto tranquillo
4.Kalevala Suite, Op. 23~III. Terhenniemi - Allegro, leggiero e scherzando
5.Kalevala Suite, Op. 23~IV. Kehtolaulu Lemminkaiselle (Cradle Song for Lemminkainen) Andante mosso
6.Kalevala Suite, Op. 23~V. Sammon taonta (The Forging of the Sampo) Allegro moderato
7.Lemminkainen Tuonelassa, Op. 22 No. 2
8.Kullervon sotaanlahto