Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Sibelius the swan of tuonela this tone poem by sibelius from 1895, tells the tale of a mystical swan, running around the island of the dead. The most famous selection from sibelius lemminkainen suite about the legendary finnish hero, this depicts his quest to kill the swan swimming through. When jean sibelius first read the finnish national epic poem, the kalevala, as a young student, he found the inspiration for much of the music that would one day. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. Sep 05, 2005 listen to your favorite songs from sibelius.
This hauntingly beautiful recording comes with a good story. Sibelius swan of tuonela suite welcome to talk classical a community covering every aspect of classical music. The swan of tuonela sibelius, nhk symphony orchestra. This work is likely not in the public domain in the us due to first publication with the required notice after 1924, plus renewal or restoration under the. Jean sibelius, born johan julius christian sibelius 8 december 1865 20 september 1957, was a finnish composer and violinist of the late romantic and earlymodern periods.
English horn solo by principle oboist marcel tabuteau. In the finnish national epic kalevala, even an attempt to kill the swan is punishable by death. Jean sibelius born december 8, 1865, tavastehus, finland died september 20, 1957, jarvenpaa, finland. This article is adapted from sibelius ja hollywood by sibelius scholar glenda dawn goss. Saintsaens famously sets the swan, from his carnival of the animals, as a solo cello, and ravishingly beautiful it is too. The swan of tuonela deadland tuonelan joutsen is an iconic figure in finnish folklore.
The mysterious swan of tuonela conjures up such vivid imaginings of the north. Inspired by the finnish landscape and drawing upon the finnish kalevala myth of the birth of the moon as well as pierrots timeless role, the stopmotion animation is set to sibeliuss mystical classical piece of the same title. The swan of tuonela rattle berliner philharmoniker youtube the swan of tuonela sibelius, nhk symphony orchestra duration. The swan of tuonela, the first of these four tone poems to be composed, was originally performed as the third piece, and then later moved to second place, when the complete set was published. Sep 09, 2011 the swan of tuonela ben garrison, 2011 after great travails lemminkainen made it to the underworld and he found the magic swan, but as he drew his arms to kill the bird, louhis cruel guile became apparent. Recorded in january 20 with pablo cabrera at quantum sounds studios in annandale, va. Back arches in a balance defying outreach towards the underworld. Tuonela, the kingdom of death, the hades of finnish mythology, is surrounded by a broad river of black water and rapid current, on which the swan of tuonela glides in majestic fashion and sings. The golden notes described lifes splendor and its heartachethe wordless. Dark figures surround the wanderer on the brinks of tuonela river. Jean sibelius the swan of tuonela lyrics genius lyrics. When jean sibelius first read the finnish national epic poem, the kalevala, as a young student, he found the inspiration for much of the music that would one day make him famous and also label him somewhat unfairly as a nationalistic composer. I leave you with this animationstyle youtube video of the swan of tuonela, featuring the classic karajan and the berlin philharmonic.
Jul 07, 2018 the swan of tuonela deadland tuonelan joutsen is an iconic figure in finnish folklore. Originally conceived as the prelude to an opera, this atmospheric music came to life. A folklore hero hunts for a plastic swan, and a fairytale bride. It is rarely directly involved in stories, and serves more as a symbolic figure. Jean sibelius inscribed these words in the early editions of his searing 1895 tone poem, the swan of tuonela. It is part of the lemminkainen suite four legends from the kalevala opus 22 based on finnish mythology in which tuonela is the kingdom of death. The swan of tounela is the third part of the symphonic poem lemminkainen which is rarely played in its entirety. Ten minutes art is an important means for shaping a peoples national identity. The swan of tuonela tuonelan joutsen finnish mythology. Stephen johnson is joined by the bbc philharmonic orchestra and conductor petri sakari to explore sibelius tone poem night ride and sunrise. The swan began to sing a haunting song of divine beauty. Sibelius finlandia, the swan of tuonela, violin concerto.
Find upcoming concerts, watch performances, and learn more about the music. One of the most original characters there is the swan of tuonela tuonelan joutseno. We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. As an analytical and critical survey of sibelius symphonies and tonepoems, this. Inspired by the finnish landscape and drawing upon the finnish kalevala myth of the birth of the moon as well as pierrots timeless role, the stopmotion animation is set. Jul 16, 2018 tuonela, the kingdom of death, the hades of finnish mythology, is surrounded by a broad river of black water and rapid current, on which the swan of tuonela glides in majestic fashion and sings. Robert layton justly assessed the original 1989 release of the second symphony and the swan of tuonela as thoroughly straightforward without ever being matter of fact, and he clearly found the lack of expressive idiosyncrasy refreshing after his recent encounter with. By all accounts, the sessions were hurriedly assembled. Tuonela, the land of death, the hell of finnish mythology, is surrounded by a large river of black waters. The bbc work page for the swan of tuonela by jean sibelius.
In estonian mythology, it is called toonela or manala. Leopold stokowski conducting the philadelphia orchestra. It is a holy totem animal and the bird of the soul to karelians. This collection of stories revolving around the world of classica. Jean sibelius the swan of tuonela thomas sondergard national orchestra of wales duration. In the nineteenth century, music contributed significantly to the building of nations. If it had been featured in fantasia, it might have looked something close to this. Watch the video for the swan of tuonela from jean sibelius s beauty spot for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. The swan is one my absolute favourite pieces of music, and just might be the last thing i would choose to listen to if given one last. Jean sibelius in a forest of image and myth fng research. He is widely recognized as his countrys greatest composer and, through his music, is often credited with having helped finland to develop a national identity during its struggle for independence from russia. According to traditional finnish religion, the fate of good and bad people is the same and the dead wander the afterlife as shadowlike ghosts.
The score inscription sets forth tuonela, the kingdom of death, the hades of finnish mythology, is surrounded by a broad river of black water and rapid current, in which the swan of tuonela glides in majestic fashion and sings. Apr 18, 2016 jean sibelius the swan of tuonela thomas sondergard national orchestra of wales duration. Sibelius swan of tuonela suite such a beautiful piece of music. The first version of akseli gallenkallelas on the road to tuonela 1888 portrays a. The swan of tuonela is a lyrical allegory with playful sensibility through performance and brushwork. Sibelius swan of tuonela download free sheet music and scores. The swan of tuonela legend from the lemminkainen suite. The swan of tuonela rattle berliner philharmoniker. The earliest foray into the sibelian oeuvre was his 1929 recording of the swan of tuonela. Sibelius s works from the 1890s are very finnish in tone, but during the. Sibelius became an integral part of his repertoire, once the electrical recording era had taken a foothold.
Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. The importance of sibelius for finnish art of the 1890s is also accentuated by the. I will only give my daughter, give to thee my fairest virgin, bride of thine to be forever, when for me the swan thou killest in the river of tuoni. The swan of tuonela jean sibelius concerts, introduction. Swan of tuonela by swan of tuonela, released 30 january 20 1. May 17, 2014 the bbc work page for the swan of tuonela by jean sibelius.
The swan of tuonela from the four legends of the kalevala. Jean sibelius lemminkainen in tuonela and the swan of tuonela. The swan of tuonela tuonelan joutsen is an 1895 tone poem by the finnish composer jean sibelius. The swan of tuonela kurt sanderling on allmusic 1970. It is very unlikely that this work is public domain in the eu. I will only give my daughter, give to thee my fairest virgin, bride of thine to be forever, when for me the swan thou. The swan of tuonela legend from the lemminkainen suite, op.
In estonian mythology, it is called toonela or manala according to traditional finnish religion, the fate of good and bad people is the same and the dead wander the afterlife as shadowlike ghosts. It seems in december 1940, disney approached sibelius to propose featuring the swan of tuonela in the famous animated film fantasia. Tuonela, tuoni, manala and mana are used synonymously. However, it is in the public domain in canada where imslp is hosted and other countries where the term is lifeplus50 years such as china, japan, korea and many. May 17, 2014 stephen johnson is joined by the bbc philharmonic orchestra and conductor petri sakari to explore sibelius tone poem night ride and sunrise, as well as the swan of tuonela, the most famous part. Apr 30, 2018 sibelius swan of tuonela suite such a beautiful piece of music.