Search - Sibelius, Inkinen, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra :: Sibelius: Night Ride & Sunrise; Belshazzar's Feast; Kuolema

Sibelius Suites and Tone Poems

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 01/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On the heels of their lauded first release of Sibelius orchestral music, Sibelius: Scenes Historiques I & II / King Christian Ii Pietari Inkinen and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra are back with some of Sibelius's lesser known works, as well as a couple of much better known ones. Sibelius has always been a huge favorite in New Zealand, as he has in the USA and England, and there is a tradition there of excellent performances of his music. Indeed, the early music of the country's best-known composer of the last century, Douglas Lilburn, often sounds almost indistinguishable from Sibelius's.



The disc contains a fine performance of 'Night Ride and Sunrise', Op. 55, one of the better known tone poems here. It is followed by a work I'd never heard before, 'Pan and Echo (Tanz-Intermezzo No. 3)', Op. 53a, a five-minute piece which evokes a pagan world peopled by nymphs and satyrs. The 'Suite from "Belshazzar's Feast"', Op. 51, is a four-movement work, incidental music for a long-forgotten play by Sibelius's friend Hjalmar Procopé. It opens with an 'Oriental Procession' set in Belshazzar's Babylon and is followed by delicate 'Solitude', originally titled 'The Jewish Girl's Song. The suite concludes with the evocative 'Night Music' and with 'Khadra's Dance', a genteel belly-dance.



'Two Pieces for Orchestra', Op. 45, consists of 'The Dryad', a six-minute impressionistic tone poem which has us again back in pagan Greek days. It is coupled with 'Tanz-Intermezzo No. 2', three high-spirited minutes featuring harp glissandi, and oboe and cornet solos all in almost Viennese waltz time.



The disc concludes with 'Kuolema (Death)', Opps 44 and 62, music for a 1903 play of the same name by Sibelius's brother-in-law Arvid Järnevelt. It opens with what is likely Sibelius's best-known work (perhaps excepting 'Finlandia'), 'Valse Triste'. Then come another well-known piece, often excerpted and played alone, 'Scene with Cranes'. Its shimmering string choir and evocative use of solo clarinet are inimitably Sibelian, a example of his always distinctive orchestration. The second pair of numbers, the lovely 'Canzonetta' and lilting 'Valse romantique' (together designated Op. 62) were written for a 1911 revival of the play.



With its combination of well-known and almost unknown smaller orchestral pieces by the Finnish master, this disc has much to offer. It argues convincingly that the NZSO under Inkinen, its new music director, are among the world's better ensembles.



Recommended.



Scott Morrison"

Inkinen conducts a jewel.

Six Stringer | Midwest, USA | 12/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pietari Inkinen is from the sounds of this disc an excellent Sibelius interpreter. Every little gem on this disc dances or mystifies with wonderful aplomb.



Mr. Inkinen is going to come to conduct my home orchestra next month and I can't wait to see how he does with Dvorak 7.



But back to this disc. Naxos sound has improved dramatically, but Mr. Inkinen has his New Zealanders sounding like a top Scandinavian ensemble in this music.



Warm (huh???) is the description that most suits this set of recordings. Put on a headset and a delightful orchestral balance plus a warmth I can't find in other recordings of these works will dance in your head.



Sibelius is not the cool, brooding, and frozen tundra composer here except maybe for "Night Ride and Sunrise" and certain parts of "Kuolema". Yet, you don't feel like you're out in the cold here.



"Valse Triste" is simply wonderful. HvK would be envious of Mr. Inkinen's and the New Zealander's performance here.



Many of these works have not been recorded very often over the years. So, to have them together in a collection of this quality is an absolute must have for Sibelius collectors and those newly interested in his music.



Can you say "Buy it now"?



"