Notes and Editorial Reviews
This charming disc (containing newly recorded and previously issued works) begins with a suitably brooding if not spectacular Finlandia, and then proceeds from one delight to the next. Outstanding items include: Madetoja's Elegy for Strings, Melartin's Festive March, Rautavaara's Fiddlers, Sallinen's Sunrise Serenade, and two pieces (Prelude and Berceuse) by Järnefelt. The other items have less substance but plenty of tuneful and easygoing appeal. As an advertisement for the attractions of Finnish music beyond Sibelius, this collection serves an admirable purpose, particularly as all of the items are well played and recorded. As has become particularly clear over the past two decades or so, the 20th century musical legacy of Finland is
Read more
every bit as rich and varied as that of any other country, and is well worth exploring. Here's a fine place to start if you're curious but like to keep things on the light side.
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Finlandia, Op. 26 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: Finland
Notes: Composition written: Finland (1899 - 1900).
2.
Kuolema: Valse triste, Op. 44 no 1 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1903-1904; Finland
3.
Praeludium by Armas Järnefelt
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: Finland
4.
Berceuse by Armas Järnefelt
Performer:
Maarit Kirvessalo (Violin)
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1904
5.
Sunrise Serenade, Op. 63 by Aulis Sallinen
Conductor:
Okko Kamu
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Finnish Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1989; Finland
6.
Fiddlers, Op. 1 by Einojuhani Rautavaara
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1952/1972; Finland
7.
Symphonic Suite, Op. 4: no 1, Elegia by Leevi Madetoja
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1910; Finland
8.
Valse Lente by Oskar Merikanto
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: Finland
9.
Romance for Piano, Op. 12 by Oskar Merikanto
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: Finland
10.
Wedding Waltz by Heikki Aaltoila
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
11.
Pieces for Piano, Op. 7: no 1, Prelude in G flat major by Heino Kaski
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: Finland
12.
Wedding March, Op. 3 no 2 by Toivo Kuula
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: Finland
13.
Prinsessa Ruusunen: Juhlamarssi by Erkki Melartin
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1904; Finland
14.
Sea Pictures: Nocturne by Uuno Klami
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1928-1930; Finland
15.
Finnish husbandry by Ilkka Kuusisto
Performer:
Reino Kotaviita (Trumpet)
Conductor:
Jorma Panula
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: Finland
Sound Samples
Sinfoninen sarja (Symphonic Suite), Op. 4: Symphonic Suite, Op. 4: Elegy for Strings
Romance, Op. 12 (arr. for orchestra): Romance
Valse lente, Op. 33 (arr. for orchestra): Valse lente
Valse triste, Op. 44, No. 1
Here Beneath a Northern Star: Wedding Waltz of Akseli and Elina
Prelude in G flat major, Op. 7 (version for orchestra): Prelude in G flat major, Op. 7
Pelimannit (The Fiddlers), Op. 1: I. Narbolaisten braa speli (The Narbo Villagers in Fine Fettle)
Pelimannit (The Fiddlers), Op. 1: II. Kospin Jonas
Pelimannit (The Fiddlers), Op. 1: III. Klockar Samuel Dikstrom (Bell-Ringer Samuel Dikstrom)
Pelimannit (The Fiddlers), Op. 1: IV. Pirun polska (Devil's Schottische)
Pelimannit (The Fiddlers), Op. 1: V. Hypyt (Jumps)
Haamarssi (Wedding March), Op. 3, No. 2 (arr. for orchestra): Wedding March, Op. 3, No. 2
Sleeping Beauty (Prinsessa Ruusunea), Op. 22: Festive March
Praeludium: Prelude for Orchestra
Berceuse, "Lullaby": Berceuse
Merikuvia (Sea Pictures): Sea Pictures: Nocturne - Song of the Watch
Finnish Prayer (arr. for trumpet and orchestra): Finnish Prayer
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 2 Customer Reviews )
Nice Finnish Anthology May 19, 2013
By Henry S. (Springfield, VA) See All My Reviews
"Finnish classical music is much more than Jean Sibelius, as this very nice Naxos disk from the mid-1990's attests. To be sure, Sibelius is well represented here with 2 very familiar short works- Finlandia and Valse Triste. They receive fine performances by Finland's Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, but the real attraction of this disk is the rest of the program, which is probably unfamiliar to most listeners. Serenades, romances, marches, wedding music, and dances from a variety of 20th century Finnish composers make up a delightful and instructive program, all of it played with tender loving care by the Turku orchestra, which is a very excellent regional Finnish ensemble. (Note- one selection, Aulis Sallinen's Sunrise Serenade is performed by the equally excellent Finnish Chamber Orchestra). Naxos' sound is solid, perhaps a bit distant in orchestral presence. While none of these works could possibly be the central feature of a major concert program, nevertheless the net result of this CD is a very enjoyable and educational listening experience. Recommended."
Report Abuse
Great Nordic Music January 22, 2013
By Paul Hsieh (Orinda, CA) See All My Reviews
"Nordic music is not pretending. Composers were all trying to express the very place that they grew up in and the emotional attachment they shared with their fellow countrymen. Although not popularly performed in major venues, they did give us great listening pleasure. Thanks NAXOS for making the effort."
Report Abuse
Review This Title
