Sibelius: Kullervo - Jukka-Pekka Saraste & Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra

14.09.2002
Finlandia Hall - Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra - 75th Jubilee Concert
Conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Mezzo-soprano: Lilli Paasikivi
Baritone: Jorma Hynninen
The Polytech Choir
Jean Sibelius: Kullervo

[@johannesdenee6007]

This is the music that belongs to my younger brother, Peter, who died in 2003. On the plane going to see him and coming home, only to be called a few weeks later to come again for his final farewell, this was the music I listened to during the five hour plane rides. This is the music that keeps me alive through life and death.

[@mfcabrini]

So sorry about your brother. God bless!

[@janvanc7190]

The power of music consoles and comforts us all during the hardest of times. Sibelius' expressive and deeply emotional music is especially dear to me.

[@mikeawoyinfa6682]

This music is poignantly melodic. I was first introduced to Sibelius right in this hall--Finlandia Hall in Helsinki--where I first heard the performance of Finlandia. From there I visited the Sibelius monument. Ever since, I have been hooked on everything Sibelius. In my book, he is the greatest composer that ever lived. Yes, I have the CD of Kullervo. It's a masterpiece. I am a Nigerian journalist in Lagos.

[@normanwibe7080]

Agree , Mike !

[@martinashkenazy-jones8400]

Absolutely agree.

[@tubemagpie]

@Marianne As I recall the Biafrans used Finlandia as their national tune

[@agapanthus1953]

He is great....but NOTHING is greater than Bach's b minor mass. THAT is the Everest of music!

[@pamelafrancis4476]

@@tubemagpie Wow! we really are one world in music.

[@LuizBHMG]

0:00 Johdanto (Introduction) 13:33 Kullervon nuoruus (Kullervo's Youth) 28:52 Kullervo ja hänen sisarensa (Kullervo and his Sister) 52:54 Kullervon sotaanlähtö (Kullervo goes to War) 1:02:38 Kullervon kuolema (Kullervo's Death)

[@Aldous944]

Sibelius was a giant, no doubt about it. If Finland only produced him as a composer, that would be enough. He created a beautiful, moving universe of sound.

[@georgesclermont1911]

Great Saraste! Great rendition of an extraordinary piece of music! Sibelius is arguably the greatest composer of the 20th century!

[@agapanthus1953]

with that I CAN agree!

[@paullewis2413]

Music compositions don't get any better than this - one of my favourite works of all time!

[@normanwibe7080]

Hi, Paul, couldn´t agree with you more !!!:))

[@JohnWilliams-wg7rc]

Such a long piece can fall flat if everyone doesn't give it 100% from beginning to end. Certainly not the case here. This is the best performance of Kullervo I've ever seen/heard. Soloists, choir and instrumentalists all at the top of their game, and a good recording. One small gripe; I'd love to have heard the applause at the end.

[@TheVaughan5]

I tend to agree, while there are some other very good recorded performances, I think this is probably unbeatable!

[@bigfan2710]

I am British and have just discovered this work. Never a fan of Sibelius until now. Will revisit the symphonies now! Fabulous!

[@ONeilMclahiar]

Quelle Oeuvre mais quelle Oeuvre !! Jan Sibelius est avec Maurice Ravel mon compositeur préféré. Toute son oeuvre symphonique est exceptionnelle. Et cet oratorio est simplement magique. Le dernier mouvement est époustouflant. Quelle maîtrise harmonique et mélodique. Sibelius était capable (comme Ravel -> Mvt lent du Cto en sol) de composer de très longues mélodies sans répétitions . La longue mélopée (1:09:56) en est un exemple marquant. Puissante, splendide avant l'explosion finale choeur orchestre alterné. Je n'arrive pas à comprendre que Sibélius ait toujours interdit de rejouer cette oeuvre de son vivant car c'est à mon avis une des plus significative de son chant tellurique, issu des terres et des légendes de Finlande. L'interprétation est magnifique. Le choeur parfait. UN PUR MOMENT DE BONHEUR !

[@rr7firefly]

I want to single out Maestro Saraste for his dedication to championing works that are underrepresented in the global mainstream. Thank you, sir. I was fortunate to have discovered Sibelius when I was eleven, so I have great affection for his signature sound. Finland, for me, is a destination I may never see but it lives in my imagination and in my appreciation for finely detailed design and music.

[@tubemagpie]

Eleven...Swan of Tuonela....then later Finlandia and them Symphony 2 , standing in my grandmother's kitchen not knowing why tears streamed down my face as they have done ever since when I hear 2, 5 and 7... and then I found the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Lps of Kullervo.... and lots more. To top it all... December 6th 2017 at The Barbican Press Celebrations Music (UK Premiere) Cantique and Devotion Symphony No 1 Performers BBC Symphony Orchestra Sakari Oramo conductor Guy Johnston cello And sitting in front of us we discovered the great man's several greats granddaughter amidst a hall full of Finns

[@rodparisst]

Me too!

[@Creced]

This piece grows on you! Liked it when hearing it the first time, but each time I listen it grows on me. I marvel at the genius behind its composition and also its production.

[@markedwards2063]

An incredible piece of music so rarely performed live to my knowledge. What a great story teller Sibelius was.

[@robertrenoux45]

Symphonie que j'écoute souvent avec émotion dirigée avec ce grand chef .Le choeur d'hommes est tout simplement poignant ainsi que Lilli Paasikivi etJorma Hynninen.

[@mfcabrini]

The story of Kullervo was taken up by JRRR Tolkien between 1912-1916 after he read the Finnish Kalevala. After Finnish folk tales were collected and published they inspired a great spirit of Finnish nationalism and fostered the country's bid for independence from Sweden. When published in English in the late 19th century, Tolkien was so impressed by them he resolved to create a mythology for England, which he felt had been lost due to the numerous invasions of the British Isles over the centuries. Although he never completed his Kullervo, it later formed the basis of his Children of Hurin storyline, so central to the Silmarillion. This musical performance is masterful. Does anyone else think that Howard Shore may have been influenced by the stunning interweaving of choir and orchestra in his music for the LOTR movies?

[@whatafreakinusername]

The initial statements by the all-male chorus in the third movement are chilling. The Finnish language lends itself well to this kind of choral singing.

[@keiththomas795]

At the time of my writing these notes a dozen listeners gave this recording thumbs down. Wow! What do they want? Sibelius is my no 1 composer and I reckon this is probably the best of him. But there is so much wonderful music from the pen of this man. What I am listening to now is superb, a best recording I think.

[@angelosilva4051]

Sibelius compositore grandissimo! grande descrittore ma anche profondo conoscitore dell'animo umano e delle passioni umane. Coivolgente e intenso .

[@Julz777]

Epic, elemental! I can never get over how original Sibelius is.

[@gerhardg5186]

Everyone here, soloists, conductor, choir, orchestra, even audience is brilliant. The enthusiastic choir is especially gripping. Note how they sing this very long piece without music, enthusiastically, emotionally. And the beauty of the people with their light, unblemished skins.

[@franciscolopezus]

You are a wonderful conductor.

[@medeajason1612]

What a stunning performance! Outstanding chorus and soloists. One can only imagine the tumultuous applause that followed! The cute little teddy bear on the French Horn seemed to enjoy the ride! This symphony absolutely should be performed more often. Please!

[@steventiger880]

Greatest performance of this great work! Baritone soloist Jorma Hynninen is especially thrilling.

[@DerIngo62]

leben kann ich nicht bei euch....aber die Musik lässt mich auch hier leben wo ich muss......

[@Aldous944]

Now here's something probably no-one will engage with. I am intrigued by the total non-issue of whether conductors use the score during a performance. I have not yet seen a Bernstein performance where he uses a score, or Karajan, or Simon Rattle. Yet here is world-class conductor, conducting since 1987, using the score. I have seen many 'lesser' conductors use a score, but, complicating the issue, have seen a mature Bernard Haitink also use a score, and at other times not. When I say 'lesser' conductors, I mean no disrespect. Anyone who can rehearse and conduct an orchestra well is gifted, in my opinion. I took a six week summer course in conducting, and at the end, was allowed to conduct five minutes of Eine Klene Nachtmusik, I was probably awful, but it was a thrill to stand in front of a professional orchestra and wave the baton around, more or less anticipating what they were playing. Thank goodness for musicians who know what they're doing.

[@Glockenzunge]

I m astonished at the volume of great music that has come out of that small, cold and some say humor-challenged country!

[@paullewis2413]

With this and his recording of the 1st symphony (Oslo P.O.), IMO Jukka-Pekka Saraste surely has to be today’s leading interpreter of Jan Sibelius. Both are in a league of their own and that’s saying something with so much strong competition.

[@emmegy27]

Grandioso capolavoro di Sibelius, musica divina, interpretazione magnifica!!! Sibelius Is magnificent!!!!

[@tstsullivan]

Marvellous piece of music that deserves to be as well known as any of the numbered symphonies. I'm learning Finnish at the moment but this is way beyond my level. Could have used English subtitles. Otherwise, this is a brilliant performance. Thanks for uploading - kiitos paljon!!

[@juergenspatschke1560]

enendlich ! danke meister sibelius!

[@skadivar]

It's a shock to me to realize that such wonderful piece of both music and mithology has such meagre viewing stats... that being said, Kullervo is my favourite theme from Sibelius, and a myth I can relate to, personally, in a deep level. To see this piece executed in such a skillful and meticulous way is a sublime experience! It should be way more appreciated.

[@TheVaughan5]

+Bruno LeCathare You are right but it isn't the type of work that has an instant appeal, it requires concentrated listening. I think if it received more performances there would obviously be a larger following but maybe it's better to keep such an extraordinary composition for those who can appreciate the unsurpassed genius of Jan Sibelius.

[@skadivar]

cameronpaul You are absolutely right; in art as in life, 'pauca sed matura' - better keep things well-matured and in a small scale, to better preserve their original and exceptonal character. Nevertheless, it's unfair that Sibelius isn't more appreciated, and it's sad that I've never seen a presentation of any of his works here in my country.

[@TheVaughan5]

Bruno LeCathare Which country is that? In Nordic countries he is of course revered and his music is regularly played. The same in the U.K.where he has had champions going back to Thomas Beecham and more recently Colin Davis. I believe his music is also heard much more often now in the U.S. and Germany than it was 20 or more years ago so his reputation continues to grow.

[@skadivar]

I live in Brazil, where unfortunately this kind of music is appreciated by very few people, and even in the small circle of people who attend to opera houses and such, there is a general preference for composers like Schubert, Mendelssohn or Liszt, let aside the obsession with post-modernists.

[@TheVaughan5]

Bruno LeCathare Yes I guess Sibelius is under appreciated in South America. I think Marin Alsop with the Sao Paulo S.O. is introducing some music which is not so well known and that's a positive thing. BTW I think the Sala Sao Paulo is one of the best concert halls in the world it's a shame they do not attract more high profile visiting orchestras.

[@pcardriff7278]

So this is basically the only Real Tragedy of Finland? I just discovered it, and will repeat-watch it. Ms. Paasikivi has such a strong voice, expressive, clear and right-tonal, it invokes mysticism with the dark acceptance. Jorma Hynninen is merely outstanding.

[@mfcabrini]

Yes, just as Hurin is Tolkien's only truly tragic figure.

[@antongronberg7123]

Love the storytelling way Sibelius forms his music. Its like a movie-theme almost =)

[@anjagoller]

Actually it kind of went into a movie. The soundtrack of How To Train Your Dragon was inspired by Sibelius.

[@niklausgaschen9858]

There is some relation to the antique greek tragedy and choir.

[@markovelikonja5399]

The only live performance of Kullervo I've heard (and the first time I ever heard it) was in Moscow with Gennady Rozhdestvensky. A great conductor, but it made no particular impression. This one grabs you from the first moment, and doesn't let go. The choir's entrance in the second movement sends chills up my spine. What a wonderful performance this is.

[@sokanet9]

Great Performance!!! Thank You So Much~!!!

[@eugenemayburd7728]

Among five different performances of Kullervo I have heard this one is one of two best. The second one is by Paavo Jarve.

[@arizonastrip73]

I wish to be buried with a CD or DVD of this, my #1 choice in all music. (just in case, you know)

[@normanwibe7080]

What a wonderful colorist Sibelius was !

[@raulp.cordoves4644]

Gracias...Formidable!!

[@agustinamoros6008]

Thank you very much, maestro!! This shows the greatness of music: a national tale becomes universal. Extraordinary performance

[@dcar6530]

it's an epic

[@niklausgaschen9858]

The dark mythological tragedy of a incestual sisterlove. Great work of young Sibelius.

[@tuomohaapaniemi4374]

.........reki rasasi....... , olen todella koukussa tähän !th

[@TheVaughan5]

As good as this recording is you really need to hear this work in a large hall with great performers to get the full effect. Such was the case for me a few years back in London at the RAH - BBCSO/ Finnish Mens Chorus/Sakari Oramo - the experience was indescribable.

[@DLockX]

Timestamps: 13:33 - II Kullervon nuoruus 28:50 - III Kullervo ja hänen sisarensa 52:52 - IV Kullervon sotaanlähtö 1:02:52 - V Kullervon kuolema

[@juergenspatschke1560]

jugentlich,meisterlich ,strebend nach meisterlicher perfektion die finische wahrhatikeit!

[@bowerdw]

Just saw the Teddy Bear in the French Horn at 1:03:08. I have just been listening and not watching. So, I don't know if was visible before.

[@phil5664]

Doug Bower at 23:45 too

[@grmaderna]

Great perfomance. Sibelius is one of my favorite composers. The only one live perfomance of Kullervo I heard was in Berlin where the Helsinki Opera was on tour. It was conducted by Leif Segerstam. On CD I have the two recordings by Paavo Berglund (Bournemouth and Helsinki), Neeme Järvi, two by Sir Colin Davis and Osmo Vänskä (Lahti). I like this version very much!

[@richardwhitehouse2514]

This is a thrilling performance, and dare I say it better than the Bournemouth symphony orchestra recording. It's a pity the applause was chopped of the end.

[@richardwhitehouse2514]

Who are the soloists?

[@axelhalbardier8874]

1:03:00 MARVELOUS

[@wiltzu81]

Teddy

[@saitousanae]

お願いいたします 日本語訳して下さい 素晴らしい演奏なのにもったいないです

[@jeffreyfair]

Nice teddy bear at 23:45.

[@dionbaillargeon4899]

23:45 Why there's a teddy bear in the french horn???

[@QHarefield]

but on the other hand, why not? :-)

[@javierguilbozal1664]

Daría mil euros por no ver un Anuncio Más !

[@isaacparra2071]

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