Karelia Suite, Op. 11
Rakastava, Op. 14
Lemminkäinen, Op. 22

Despite having left behind a tremendous volume of music in all forms and sizes, as evident here in the sprawling Sibelius Edition, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was first and foremost and at heart a creator of highly evocative tone poems. As the booklet notes point out: "I believe that I am above all a tone painter and poet. Liszt's view of music is the one to which I am closest. That is, the symphonic poem." And the three works gathered together on this CD, all conceived around the age of 30, exemplify this composer's flair for vivid imagery.

The least familiar of the three is Rakastava, Op. 14, originally written for tenor and male choir and based on folk poetry, it was revised on several occasions, with 1912's final revision for strings, timpani and triangle being the one presented on this recording. It's startling to hear a primarily vocal work sound so consummate on strings alone. It brings to mind many of the more famous works strictly for string orchestra by British composers of that era. The Karelia Suite, Op. 11, which captures the history and folk culture of the Karelia region, where Finland and Russia intersect, well projects the lighthearted nature of peasant life. It also displays Sibelius' penchant and affinity for the brass section of the orchestra. On the other hand, Lemminkäinen, Op. 22 displays this composer's natural awareness and sense of isolation, remoteness and bleak melancholy so typical to the North. Its second movement, The Swan of Tuonela, with its haunting 'cor anglais' passages, is a convincing example of just that. The booklet notes remark: "Sibelius was influenced by Symbolism. At that time, images of swans, water and death, desolate moods and other-wordly scenes, were very fashionable in Helsinki." Definitely the antipode to the swan depicted by Camille Saint-Saëns within his Carnival of the Animals.

Conductor Susanna Mälkki and the members of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra well capture and amplify the deep sorrow within its pages, and project a sonic image of a swan drifting in and out of heavy mist and fog. Lemminkäinen was also often revised with its latest and final touches applied as late as 1954. The Helsinki Philharmonic holds a long history and association with the music of Sibelius, and actually performed the premiere of the Karelia Suite in October of 1900. I guess one could say that this music is part of their cultural DNA and as such their interpretations well impart the spirit within.