Valse Triste

On this CD:

1. En Saga, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 9
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

2. Spring Song (Vårsång), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 16
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

3. Kuolema (Death), incidental music for orchestra (I), Op. 44 Valse triste, Op.44/1
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

4. Kuolema (Death), incidental music for orchestra (I), Op. 44 Scene with Cranes, Op.44/2
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

5. Kuolema (Death), incidental music for orchestra (II), Op. 62 Canzonetta, Op.62a
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

6. Kuolema (Death), incidental music for orchestra (I), Op. 44 Valse romantique, Op.62b
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

7. The Bard (Barden), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 64
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

8. Tapiola, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 112
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This disc from the established partnership of Neeme Järvi and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra provides an interesting overview of the development of the Finnish composer Sibelius. We are taken from the early folk world of En Saga to the sublime final creation, Tapiola, by way of some very attractive and rarely heard miniatures. Järvi has made something of a specialty of the incidental dramatic music of early-20th-century composers and delivers a sympathetic performance of the music for Kuolema ("death"), including an eerie account of the popular orchestral encore Valse Triste. Sibelius's early Spring Song also deserves to be much better-known, with warm lyrical melodies developed into a beautiful symphonic movement. Yet somehow the performances of En Saga and Tapiola fail to deliver the same satisfaction. Järvi and the clean-toned Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra remain a little detached from the earthiness of En Saga and the majesty of Tapiola--arguably, an interesting way to hear this music, yet it pulls less of a punch than many competing recordings of these works. But the sound quality is superb and this disc is worth hearing for its selection of less-familiar repertoire alongside two of Sibelius's masterpieces. --Leigh Aspin

Customer Reviews:

Must buy.......2006-05-16

Superlative seven-CDS hyper-bargain bid from BMG can't never beat that!!Over-all an allround best buy If you snooze you lose

Simply great Sibelius.......2006-05-15

At less than 20GBP, this set offers a most excellent initiation to the world of Johan Sibelius s'masterly work. A nice collection, that includes the symphonies (1--7) with important compositions such as the ever fascinating Kulervo and myriads of "TonePoems". The L.S.O play together with dedication, the sound and direction by sir Colin Davis increase the impression of greatness in the music. I was a little skeptical of the new Davis Kulervo "live", of which I prefer this one on rca, but been of course amazed by the L.S.O.Live powerful versions of symphonies 3 & 7. Otherwise, I generally love this uniformly excellent set, even more so than the earlier cycle in Boston of which I still like, above all, symphonies 5&6. Here, with this rca set, the "highlights" are to be found in symphonies 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, as well as in a bracing and quite dramatic Kulervo. Among the poems, En Saga and Pohjola really shine along with a wonderful Suite Karelia. Of course everything is not perfection, but who will pretend to be anyway? I recommend highly this important box set, even more than the competitive 5CD Naxos however very good it is. Davis is a master Sibelian, no doubt about that. Kind regards. m.vuriling

Splendid Performances from LSO and Sir Colin Davis.......2004-12-31

This 7 CD set includes all of Sir Colin Davis' second Sibelius symphony cycle recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra in the 1990's, along with almost all of Sibelius' other major orchestral works, most notably his tone poems (Some of these were recorded as recently as 2000 or 2001.). These are impressive, vibrant performances replete with exquisite playing by the London Symphony Orchestra. Critics have praised Davis' first Sibelius symphony cycle with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as among the best; without question, his second symphony cycle is not only just as fine, but comes with better quality digital sound (However, with respect to sound, the best Sibelius symphony cycle that he's recorded may be the recent one with the LSO Live CD label.). I especially enjoyed the recordings of Sibelius' 2nd, 5th and 7th symphonies, and the tone poem En Saga, but all of Sibelius' works in this CD set are quite fine. Those interested in hearing music made by Sir Colin Davis, widely regarded as our foremost interpreter of Sibelius, with one of the world's greatest orchestras, the London Symphony Orchestra, will not be disappointed with this CD set.

Average customer rating:

More Great Sibelius from GSO/Jarvi
Tons of Great Sibelius, All Very Well Done
a perfect introduction to sibelius

Sibelius: Tone Poems

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Sibelius: The Symphonies [Hybrid SACD]
Tchaikovsky Symphonic Poems / Manfred Symphony
Finlandia and Other Tone Poems in Full Score
Tchaikovsky: 18 Pieces
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ASIN: B0009W4LLI
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

I. Intermezzo. Moderato
II. Ballade. Tempo Di Menuetto-Un Poco Piu Lento
III. Alla Marcia. Moderato
Tempo Moderato - Soile Isokoski
Andante Festivo For String Orchestra
Sostenuto Assai
Nocturne. Molto Moderato
I. Elegie. Andante Sostenuto
II. Musette. Allegretto
Serenade. Moderato Assai (Quasi Menuetto)
Ballade. Allegro Molto-Vivace
Andante Sostenuto-Allegro Moderato-Allegro

Tracks:

Largo-Allegro
Allegro-Tempo Del Commincio-Moderato Assai-Largamente-Largo
Allegro Molto Moderato
Andante Molto Sostenuto
Il Tempo Largamente
Allegro Con Fuoco

Tracks:

Moderato Assai-Allegro
Tempo Moderato E Sostenuto
Lento
Scene With Cranes Op.44 No.2
Andantino
Commodo
Lento Assai
Largamente-Allegro Moderato

Customer Reviews:

More Great Sibelius from GSO/Jarvi.......2006-06-02

I recently purchased this 3-disc set new for about 18 bucks, including shipping and handling. Each disc has over 70 mins of music. More importantly, the performances are evocative and highly emotional. The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (of Sweden, for those of you who might not know this) and Neeme Jarvi did a terrific job on the Sibelius Symphonies for the BIS label in the 80s. I have 'em all, and they are my favorite cycle.

These are more recent recordings done by Deutche Grammaphon, with somewhat different engineering, but equally satisfying sound (to me, at least). Purchasing this "Trio" was almost a no-brainer, given the price. Now that I have the set in hand (and in CD-player), I know that it was a good decision.

Whether you know nothing about Sibelius but want to hear terrific classical music-making, or you have some Sibelius and would like to hear some arguably definitive performance of the tone poems, this set is for you.

Enjoy, Adam.

Tons of Great Sibelius, All Very Well Done.......2006-05-23

I may be in a minority, but I think Sibelius is a far more successful composer of program music than of so-called absolute music. In fact, his most successful symphony, No. 2, has a definite program, and his most successful symphonic movement, the marvelous finale of Symphony No. 5, is also pictorial, supposedly inspired by a flight of geese and the bell-like music that their calls made as they passed overhead. So I believe these generously filled discs in the Trio Series present some of the best of orchestral Sibelius, including "Pohjola's Daughter," "En Saga," "The Oceanides," and "Tapiola." There are other favorites as well, of course, including "Finlandia," "Valse Triste," and "The Swan of Tuonela" (part of the spacious "Four Legends"), as well as some lesser-known (to non-Sibelians, anyway) masterworks such as "Luonnotar" and "Night Ride and Sunrise," a quirky, more interesting incarnation of the binary form that Sibelius tried out in the finale of his Third Symphony.

There's still more and more, including some music (such as "King Christian" and "The Bard") that is rarely heard but well worth hearing. In fact, if there are any clunkers here, I don't know of them. Sibelius emerges as a composer who rarely failed when inspired by literature, especially his beloved Kalevala, or the purely pictorial. Neemi Jarvi, whose baton is sometimes too fleet and whose interpretations sometimes skate along the surface of the music, is here inspired to give some of his finest interpretations (and there are many, many on CD). The Goteborg Orchestra has this music in its blood and proves the perfect medium for the dark vision of "The Four Legends," for the shimmer and sheen of "The Oceanides," or for the easy folksiness of "Karelia" and "King Christian." Fine, wide-ranging sound from DG as well. It's up-front but not oppressive, allowing woodwind and percussion detail to emerge with real clarity. Try "Night Ride and Sunrise" as an example; it's rarely sounded this alive in recording.

a perfect introduction to sibelius.......2006-02-18

this is a great set of Sibelius's work. There are some of unknown as as well known pieces. I recommend this work to introduce people to Sibelius and Sibelian's as well. neeme jarvi is a master interpreter of Sibelius work and the orchestra is brillent.

Sibelius: Tapiola/ En Saga/ The Bard/ Valse Triste

Average customer rating:

Superb performances
Sibelian in spirit if not letter
An Interesting Odyssey Through Sibelius' Music

Sibelius: Tapiola/ En Saga/ The Bard/ Valse Triste

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004W17Z
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

'En saga' Tone Poem Op. 9 - Urban Claesson
'Spring Song' Tone Poem Op. 16
'Kuolema': 'Valse triste' Op. 44 No. 1
'Kuolema': 'Scene With Cranes' Op. 44 No. 2
'Kuolema': 'Canzonetta' Op. 62a
'Kuolema': 'Valse romantique' Op. 62b
'The Bard' Tone Poem Op. 64
'Tapiola' Tone Poem Op. 112

Amazon.com

This disc from the established partnership of Neeme Järvi and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra provides an interesting overview of the development of the Finnish composer Sibelius. We are taken from the early folk world of En Saga to the sublime final creation, Tapiola, by way of some very attractive and rarely heard miniatures. Järvi has made something of a specialty of the incidental dramatic music of early-20th-century composers and delivers a sympathetic performance of the music for Kuolema ("death"), including an eerie account of the popular orchestral encore Valse Triste. Sibelius's early Spring Song also deserves to be much better-known, with warm lyrical melodies developed into a beautiful symphonic movement. Yet somehow the performances of En Saga and Tapiola fail to deliver the same satisfaction. Järvi and the clean-toned Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra remain a little detached from the earthiness of En Saga and the majesty of Tapiola--arguably, an interesting way to hear this music, yet it pulls less of a punch than many competing recordings of these works. But the sound quality is superb and this disc is worth hearing for its selection of less-familiar repertoire alongside two of Sibelius's masterpieces. --Leigh Aspin

Customer Reviews:

Superb performances.......2004-05-30

This is a must have for any Sibelius admirers.

This CD be constitued with increasing opus number, so, stars with his early succesful work "En Saga". This tone poem has no programme, but "En Saga" means "A Hero".

The CD continues with a not too known tone poem "Spring Song" written in pastoral F Major.

This record contains also, the incidental music to play "Kuolema" (The Death) including famous and beautiful Valde triste. This play written by the composer's brother-in-law Arvid Jarnefelt. And the performance of Valse triste is very good. There is an interesting but amazing a movement, too: "Scenes with Cranes". The last movement, Valse romantique, in form of Valse triste, but not "triste", in major tone, more hopeful music.

And one of the stars of this record, I think: "The Bard". This is a middle period music and Sibelius used Impressionism style. This is a contemplative music, oftenly slow and sorrowful. Especially the last minutes of the work is very impressive, the harmonies of the composer are very amazing, the work ends with a tragic mood. Still, this music written in darkful E-flat minor.

And last, the composer's last and one of the most succesful works: Tapiola. As you know, Tapio is the forest god in Finnish epic Kalevala and this is a very majestic music, the storm scene is very influenced.There are very impressive contrasts between light (hypnotic and hesitated) colours and darkful passages. Marvellous orchestration...

These performances are very good. Still, Neeme Jarvi and his Gothenburg SO recorded Sibelius' complete orchestral works released on BIS Records, also.

This is an essential recording and highly recommended.

Sibelian in spirit if not letter.......2002-04-22

I usually prefer my Sibelius to be performed as closely to the score as possible. My favorite conductors of Sibelius are (in order) Ormandy, Barbirolli, Ashkenazy, Davis and Jansons. What I hear in their performances is not so much interpretation as faithful renderings of the score.

Every once in a while I run across a conductor who takes free rein with Sibelius but whose performances are so fiery and awe-inspiring that I dismiss liberties taken with the score. Stokowski and Toscanini (yes, Toscanini, who was not quite the purist everyone made him out to be) instantly come to mind. This present collection falls into this category. It's been a long time since I thrilled to a new Sibelius recording.

Järvi's execution is not flawless: For example, in En Saga, the flutes sometimes rush in a little early. All throughout, there are similar moments, particularly of strings playing out of unison. Järvi begins both En Saga and Tapiola with a hurried pace, then seems to bring both pieces to a labouriously slow tempo (The Tapiola clocks in at a snail's pace 20:09). If this were Bernstein or Karajan, I would dismiss it as show-offish. However, upon more careful listening, I understand the method to Järvi's seeming madness. The one quality which stands out above all others in this recording is that the sterile and antiseptic tone which infects most present-day orchestras is gloriously GONE. How refreshing it is to hear passion in a recording; There is a touch of Beecham, of Mitropoulos, in Järvi's conducting.

En Saga, which opens the disc, is less heavy-handed than any other I've heard -- briskly paced, lithe and lacking in
the tonal corpulence which characterizes most interpretations. Of all the performances I've heard, with the exception of Arturo
Toscanini's, Järvi is performing the more "organic" rather than the "romantic" Sibelius who composed En Saga; Polytonality is
more evident, particularly in horn and wind passages; String phrasing is more stark and dampened, eschewing vibrato. As an
ensemble, the Göteborgs Symfoniker's instrumentalists communicate well with one another. There are some of the most profound exchanges between the flutes, English horn and strings which stand out on this recording.

Spring Song, Canzonetta and Valse Romantique are all new to me; I own no other recordings, so have nothing to which I can compare them. So, I revert to my secondary standard for this particular recording: Does the piece sound particularly Sibelian? ("Sibelian" is a rather elusive term; you know it when you hear it). The answer on all counts is a resounding "yes," even though Valse Romantique sounds too "Viennese." Spring Song is a quintessential example of the early Sibelius, which is often akin to Grieg. It begins in a deceptively placid manner, but builds up, piling-on thematic strands, much like the Vivacissimo of the (future) Second Symphony. There is more than a touch of
Liebestod (the young Sibelius was an arduous, if somewhat secretive, admirer of Wagner) about this piece: The interweaving of ecstatic, romantic love and the tragic sense of fear and mortality which accompanies it. Only a fatalistic Romantic such as Sibelius would give such a composition the innocuous title "Spring Song."

I like Järvi's Valse Triste, though I find nothing particularly moving or melancholic about the piece not already put on
paper by the composer. There is a small bit of plodding in the middle section, as though to emphasize its understated
pathos. I prefer the unadorned simplicity of Barbirolli's Halle recording. Then again, Barbirolli had an implicit understanding of Sibelius rivaled only by his affinity to Elgar.

On the other hand, this is the best Scene with Cranes I've heard: It sounds suspiciously like Grieg's Heart Wounds mixed with Siegfried's Rhine Journey. This performance is the clearest and
most transparent I've heard -- the bowing sounds as though the violins were made of crystal glass.

The Canzonetta and Valse Romantique -- which Sibelius added to Kuolema for a 1911 revival of the play -- are less emotional than Valse Trsite or Cranes. One can even recognize motifs from the Canzonetta which appear in Sibelius' Third Symphony. The Bard is a spiritual counterpart to Scene with Cranes. However, The Bard is pure Sibelius -- all the earlier influences have been distilled away.

Tapiola is somewhat out of place in this collection -- Sibelius' last composition, it seems as though there ought to be at least one or two more selections to round out Sibelius' middle-to-later years, such as Oceanides or Pohjola's
Daughter. Unlike En Saga, Järvi's Tapiola is heavier than the norm, from the opening timpani roll. Unfortunately, the timpani is somewhat off-tempo in the opening passages, but not too noticeably. The violas and wind ensembles deftly introduce a feeling of foreboding necessary to this work. The wind ensembles are not as tight as in the RCA Ormandy recording, and thus lack the stress of counterpoint to the strings. However, this is offset by the menacing and dark tones of the contrabassoon and bass clarinet, upon which Järvi places marked emphasis. This is not the "big picture" rendering of Ashkenazy, but rather an intricately thought-out, tactical performance. In the middle section, the rhythmic use of hard mallets on the kettledrums more than redeems the timpanist in my mind -- he plays with an aggressive, warlike cadence a la Herrmann's North by Northwest. Again: How refreshing! Timpanists today play like
shrinking violets, afraid to break from the score, lest some sophisticates think they actually care. Most sound as though they have Q-Tips or wet noodles for mallets, so kudos to the timpanist for sounding as though he has a pair! This is a unique Tapiola, but I actually wish it weren't recorded digitally, but on a vintage Westrex motion-picture recording system from the 1940s; It's a "film-noir" Tapiola, worthy of Max Steiner or Franz Waxman.

Altogether, excellent: Not only for its searing energy , but also as an introduction to Sibelius' lesser-known works.

An Interesting Odyssey Through Sibelius' Music.......2002-03-03

Maestro Jarvi and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra recording of these Sibelius works is a fascinating musical odyssey through the composer's career, beginning with early works such as the tone poem "En Saga" and ending with the tone poem "Tapiola". These are well played, occasionally insightful interpretations of Sibelius' music... Jarvi has more success in making a case for the significance of lesser known works such as "Spring Song" and "Valse Triste". Unfortunately, his interpretations of "En Saga", and especially, "Tapiola", are less exciting, and more mundane. For example, the finest recorded performances I've heard of "Tapiola" are those of Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon) and Sir Colin Davis and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (Philips); both are vintage recordings dating from the 1960's and 1970's. Yet I would still strongly recommend this CD because of Jarvi's strong advocacy of Sibelius' lesser known works and the recording's excellent sound quality

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