Jean Sibelius

Review: Kullervo, the five-movement narrative symphony composed by Jean Sibelius at the age of 25 was based on a story from the Kalevala, the mythic history of the ancient Finns, and from the moment of its 1892 premiere in Helsinki - conducted by Sibelius - Kullervo, became a symbol of Finnish nationalism, and the composer became a national hero. The 80-minute work, performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the men from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, with baritone Nathan Gunn and mezzo-soprano Charlotte Hellekant, was conducted by ASO Music Director Robert Spano and recorded at the Woodruff Arts Center .

Songlist: Introduction, Kullervo's Youth, Kullervo's And His Sister, Kullervo Goes To Battle, Kullervo's Death

8531c | 1 CD $9.95

Review: Astrid Riska founded Jubilate as a children's choir in 1967; it has since grown to a mixed-voice 35-strong adult choir, performing a repertoire from the sacred to the avant-garde. The group has been particularly interested in performing works by Finnish composers, both at home and internationally, and Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), was one of the best. Included are 24 songs, beginning with "Rakastava, Op. 14," the world premiere recording of "Soitapas, soria likka;" and two school songs from the mid-1920s, "Koulutie" and "Skolsang;" to the beautiful, familiar "Finlandia Hymn," finishing with the lovely "Six Songs from Op. 18." Perfectly performed, wonderfully composed choral music from one of Finland's best! Extensive liner notes with all lyrics translated.

Songlist: Rakastava, Op. 14, Soitapas, soria likka, Ensam i dunkla skogarnas famn, Aamusumussa, Till Therese Hahl, Den 25 Oktober 1902: Till Therese Hahl, Two Songs, Op. 65:, Man fran slatten och havet, Kellosavel Kallion kirkossa, Drommarna, Koulutie, Skolsang, Den hoga himlen, Op. 107, Joululaulu, Juhlamarssi, Tyokansan marssi, Uusmaalaisen laulu, Finlandia Hymn, Six Songs from Op. 18:, Isanmaalle, Saarella palaa, Min rastas raataa, Sydameni laulu, Sortunut aani, Venematka

7028c | 1 CD $15.98 Finnish Choral Music

Review: Jubilate was founded as a children's choir by its conductor Astrid Riska in 1967. Developing rapidly, it is now a chamber choir of some 35 mixed adult voices, with a repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant to the avant-garde. It has always striven to perform Finnish music to both domestic and international audiences. Nils-Eric Fougstedt (1910-61), founded the Finnish Radio Choir in 1940 and conducted the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Here are 32 of Fougstedt's works, from "Bjorkarnas Valv" and "Three Songs to texts by Nils Ferlin," to "Two Traditional Songs" and "Silmien laulu." Lovely, soaring music, beautifully sung by one of Finland's finest choirs. Extensive liner notes with translated lyrics.

Songlist: Bjorkanas valv (Text: Kerstin Soderholm), Three Songs to texts by Nils Ferlin, Six Songs to texts by Arvid Morne, Two Songs to texts by Karin Mandelstam, Three Songs to texts by Bertel Gripenberg, Hjartats sommar (Text: Hjalmar Krokfors), Smultronbacken (Text: Karin Hofman), Sommarvisa (Jacob Tenengren), Skyn, blomman och n larka (Text: Hjalmar Gullberg), Three Songs to texts by Jarl Hemmer, Sanctus, Mot loftets strand (Text: Lina Sandell-Berg, I jorden gar dolda adror (Text: Ole Torvalds), Djaknevisa (arr. Nils Ferlin), Two Traditional Songs, Folj oss sang (Text: Joel Rundt), Silmien laulu (Text: Yrjo Kaijarvi)

7029c | 1 CD $15.98 Finnish Choral Music

Review:

Songlist: Kor av vindarna, Sonens brud, Blomman, Ballad, Hoskvallen, Taanken, Carminalia, Kotikaipaus, Terve ruhtinarar, Nejden andas, Carmilalia, Kansakoululaisten marssi, Kantat till ord av W. von Konow, Giv mig ej glans, ej guld, ej prakt, Tree Songs for American Schools, Carminalia, Aamusumussa, Giv mig ej glans, ej guld, ej prakt, Soi kunniaksi Luojan, Partiolaisten marssi, The World Song of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Lauluja sekakoorille vuoden 1897 promotioonikantaatista, Findlandia-hymni

7544c | 1 CD $15.98 Finnish Choral Music

Review: YL Male Voice Choir was founded in 1883 under the auspices of the Helsinki University. Two years later Jean Sibelius became a student at the conservatory in Helsinki, and soon what would become a long and fruitful collaboration began. When the composer made his breakthrough with Kullervo in 1892, singers from YL formed the backbone of the choir, and when he started to write for male choir a cappella the following year his first work was Venematka (The Boat Journey), composed for the choir's tenth anniversary. After that, a majority of Sibelius's most famous works for male choir were commissioned and premiered by YL, which has never ceased to be regarded as the foremost exponent of Sibelius's music for male choir - the voice of Sibelius! The present program includes both a cappella works and works for male choir and orchestra, in which YL is supported by Lahti Symphony Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vanska. It takes us through a variety of moods and themes: from the brief and very moving Sydameni laulu - a lullaby for a dead child - to Tulen synty (The Origin of Fire), a re-telling of the ancient Kalevala legend of how fire came into the world, as well as the patriotic sentiments of Vapautettu kuningatar (The Captive Queen) and, of course, the hymn from Finlandia, probably Sibelius's most famous composition, here in a choral version.

Songlist: Sortunut Aani, Terve Kuu, Venematka, Saarella Palaa, Metsamiehen Laulu, Sydameni Laulu, Rakastava, Koskenlaskijan Morsiamet, Tulen Synty, Vapautettu Kuningatar, Hymn, Kuutamolla, Isanmaalle, Veljeni Vierailla Mailla, Har Du Mod, Laulu Lemminkaiselle, Jaakarien Marssi, Till Havs, Humoreski, Ne Pitkan Matkan Kulkijat, Finlandia-Hymni

8921c | 1 CD $15.95 Men's Choirs CDs