Erkki Melartin - Symphony No.1 in C-minor, Op.30 (1902)

Erkki Melartin (2 February 1875, Käkisalmi -- 14 February 1937, Pukinmäki) was a Finnish composer.
Work: Symphony No.1 in C-minor, Op.30 (1902)
Mov.I: Adagio - Allegro molto moderato ed energico 00:00
Mov.II: Adagio 08:55
Mov.III: Scherzo (Allegro vivace) 13:37
Mov.IV: Finale (Allegro vivace) 18:55
Orchestra: Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Leonid Grin

[@fcoleman8]

the adagio movement (2nd) of this work has got to be one of the loveliest in the symphonic literature. Thanks for bringing these symphonies back. I'm surprised that some other orchestra/conductor has not picked them up.Viva Melartin!!!!

[@leestamm3187]

It's always a pleasure to hear from the lesser known composers. The music universe is well populated by great composers whose music few people have ever heard. Thanks for bringing another of them to our attention.

[@philhomes233]

Power without pomposity, a very rare gift indeed. There's so much to admire here .... and that slow movement, wow!.

[@KuhlauDilfeng2]

Thanks for reminding me about the violin concerto, ;-), stay tuned.

[@aramkhachaturian8043]

It's a crime Melartin isn't better known as well as other famous composers like Sibelius or Strauss.

[@gerardbegni2806]

The paramount importance of Sibelius has occulted the music of his compatriot Erkki Melartin, whom I discovered through his second symphony. By no wways, he is a "little Sibelius", his musical manner is quite different, he follows a very interesting way of his own. .This first symphony is already a great work, which anticipates the symphonies to come.

[@feraudyh]

I agree. One could not confuse these with Sibelius, even if there are mild similarities. I have grown fond of Melartin and keep coming back to his works.

[@harmonicreation5594]

hahaha i see your sophisticated comment all over the classic music scene :) nice

[@fulviopolce9785]

Affascinante sinfonia.La relativa breve durata nulla toglie alla felice qualità dei temi ,il tutto sorretto da un ottima orchestrazione .

[@utsteinproductions]

Just discovered Melartin. Going to take me a bit getting through his symphonic works, but if this one is anything to go by I will enjoy them all.

[@mrturtle1128]

Whenever the second theme comes in in the scherzo, it somehow really touches me and made me want to cry T_T

[@MegaCirse]

As a composer, this strong symphony astonishes me, it establishes such a synthesis of the adulterated vision and the musical spirituality of our period. This is one of my favorite pieces. I project myself as if I were looking at the future indulgent realms. The struggles of this life and the world behind the rainbow are here exposed!

[@meriluoto]

Erkki Melartin was a very spiritual person interested in theosophy.

[@hankjfinnjr776]

Beautiful! A very powerful and majestic work. More from this composer, please.

[@charlottewhyte9804]

agree

[@phuclevan5771]

In the start it was very nice this symphony.

[@herminioteixeira5921]

Mais uma obra magnífica, de autor quase desconhecido, ausente, como tantos outros nas Salas de Concertos do mundo ocidental. Vamos reverter esta e outras ausências?...

[@MsVerlinden]

magnifique avec addagio sublime

[@phuclevan5771]

Thank Erkki Melartin and thank KuhlauDilfeng2 so much.

[@christophermacintyre5890]

As far as Finnish music after Sibelius, for me Madetoja heads the list with his three symphonies, especially Symphony No. 2. Melartin is quite good also, however., especially his last three symphonies. The 5 piano concertos and solo piano music of Palmgren are quite nice, as is the music of Sibelius' brother-in-law Armas Järnefelt. Rautavaara I've never warmed to, however, aside from his Cantus Arcticus.

[@charlottewhyte9804]

this is rousing wow,never heard of this composer either.

[@ivanmanuellarcodegregori4481]

Only ten years junior of Jan Sibelius, but Melartin have more late romantic style than Sibelius, in my humble opinion.

[@davidcourreges2595]

Iván Manuel Larco Degregori Late romantic that so very much creeps into (and past, methinks) Impressionism. The piano works smack of the Debussy/Ravel (and even Scriabin) influences.

[@leopanthera8261]

I have yet to see an illustration with any of this great music that matches, in any sense, the sublime melodious substance being presented. They all look as if they should be on the cover of some old science fiction book. I never judge any of these wonderful, yet sadly, mostly unknown great musical gifts by these somewhat gruesome artwork... In any event thank you KuhlauDilfeng2 for giving us the wonderful chance to hear them.

[@robertmayes640]

I disagree. I love the artwork. And I wish you would tell us where you found it, and who the artwork is by too.

[@leestamm3187]

@@robertmayes640 I also enjoy the artwork. Like the music, it's all about imagination.

[@rkentburke]

Any chance of a posting of the Violin Concerto? At the time of its premiere it was regarded much higher in Finland than the Sibelius, which debuted the same year. Interesting....

[@e_mc58tyre]

The score is available through the publisher Music Finland Core

[@SpaghettiToaster]

18:56 Well, well well, John... got anything you wanna tell us?

[@rdotjdot12.3.]

SpaghettiToaster Williams? Sounded a bit like Star Wars to me, but I don’t know if I would have noticed it if I hadn’t first read your comment

[@alantrowbridge4931]

20:55 reminds me of opening notes of La Boheme

[@rkentburke]

Movement IV alludes all over to the Wedding March!

[@ianop5889]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MsVerlinden]

n'arrive pas a charger ? pourquoi?

[@FromtheMindofJake]

That scherzo...

[@HanzSygnal]

What's the painting?

[@sumusquodsumus2381]

www.deviantart.com/wyd1985/art/The-Ship-342848625

[@aydin84000]

Je pense aux symphonies de Sibelius, le style en est très proche.

[@andreaswellington3756]

we lived in Helsinki for five years. To me it is the most amazing how Finns are dedicated to Sibelius. I think he is more a symbol of nation building. Besides some few pieces Sibelius to me was- and still is- overestimated. Simply- I feel bored by his music. All is moreless the same Finnish stew, to much horns and brass, totally overcooked. Ask a Finn if he/she knows Levi Madetoja, his symphonies and Okon Fuokon, ore The Ostrobothnians NO WAY but some teachers at the Sibelius Academy. There are many very very interesting finnish composers, in my opinion much more unic and fine textured than Sibelius. He was an arrogant bugger- please excuse my rudeness!

[@johnbayer9795]

I was 20 when I first heard a Sibelius symphony. It took me a few years to appreciate him, but now I do. Still I think we'd do well to study those other composers, whom I won't say much about because I don't know yet them well enough! On the other hand some more recent works by lesser-known Finns don't appeal.

[@andreasheise894]

@@johnbayer9795 Thank you for your annswer. Wy not try it first with Levi Madetoija

[@ToastedCigar]

I love Sibelius' works, especially his violin concerto and "En Saga", and even some of his piano works. But yes there are many other great composers in Finland as well, like Einar Englund. Englund was also a phenomenal piano improviser.