Scenes from Finland’s national epic were set to music by many Finnish composers beyond the best known, Sibelius. These works by Klami, Madetoja and Pylkkänen deserve wider recognition, as these accomplished performances demonstrate
This programme celebrates Finnish Culture Day, aka Kalevala Day and, belatedly, Lunar or Chinese New Year.
Thus we have music by Finnish and Chinese composers and music with themes from the Kalevala, an epic Finnish poem, and music with various bovine themes to celebrate the Year of the Ox.
Playlist: 28 February 2021
– Sibelius: Lemminkainen Suite, op.22: II. The Swan of Tuonela. Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/ Neeme Järvi.
– Klami: Kalevala Suite, op. 23: IV. Cradle Song for Lemminkainen; II. Sprout of Spring. Turku Philharmonic Orchestra/ Jorma Panula.
– Tan Dun: Hero: Overture. China Philharmonic Orchestra.
– Tan Dun: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: The Eternal Vow. Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.