How great is Sibelius?

[Scott Good]

Originally Posted by ReinerTorheit

Well, although it is maybe not "mainstream" Sibelius, I would recommend this magnificent 10-minute fragment - "Luonnotar". It's a piece for soprano and orchestra - very likely a fragment of an unfinished opera. Of course there is much more Sibelius to enjoy! But this might whet your appetite for more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn9ki...eature=related

GGGGRRRReat! Love that piece.

For symphonic bliss, I will recommend again the 4th Symphony...it is very "not-Bruckner" though! Not many tuttis, sparse scoring...

But a great adventure - I really like Berlin, Karajan recording.

[Scott Good]

Originally Posted by Quijote

Careful, you Anglo! My ex-wife (long may she prosper ... the cow!) is French-Québécoise, so I know what I'm talking about.

Bring it on! I find the scorn of the Quebecker riveting...(is that a kind of S&M tendency? ) And how I get it, as I am a demon spawned from the depths of hell...also called Toronto.

Originally Posted by Quijote

Oh, I know what you're saying !!!! He was one crazy guy, and I can see why Cage took to him as well. Funnily enough, I was in Paris a couple of weeks ago and kept thinking about Satie.

Spanish Quarter...small cafe...dark espresso on a cloudy, grey May afternoon...watching people go by, wondering what concerns furrow their brows, and what promises of love evoke their smiles...and this music is playing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLFVGwGQcB0

[Musaeus]

Originally Posted by Quijote

I have read (and I will admit, scoffed) that some people consider Beethoven's 9th to be "better" than his 1st. I think it is a nonsense to say such a thing, if I may be frank with you. In any case, I also rate the symphonies of Sibelius highly.

I'm certain you're right. I rather think though that you could meaningfully say that B's 9th is one of his least good symphonies - I almost can't bear it (the choral movement has never worked for me), and it is surely inferior to 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, all of which are terrific.

As for Sibelius, my tops are 2, 3, 5, and 7; and of these I think probably 3 is not quite as good as the others. 2 hasn't the formal tightness of 5 & 7....... Maybe 6 is the least successful.

[Quijote]

Originally Posted by Scott Good

Bring it on! I find the scorn of the Quebecker riveting...(is that a kind of S&M tendency? ) And how I get it, as I am a demon spawned from the depths of hell...also called Toronto.

A Toronto Anglo: devil's spawn indeed. Pretty hot these days in Québec, wouldn't you say, Scott?

Originally Posted by Scott Good

Spanish Quarter...small cafe...dark espresso on a cloudy, grey May afternoon...watching people go by, wondering what concerns furrow their brows, and what promises of love evoke their smiles...and this music is playing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLFVGwGQcB0

A dark expresso? Surely a shot of absinthe? Satie would have, in any case!

[Quijote]

Great piece that Scott (Gnossienne No. 1), though I have never worked out what the meaning of the title might be. Any idea? In any case, this is music for making love to. With a glass of red, a bit of candlelight and, let me be frank, a good cheese and baguette just after.

[Quijote]

Originally Posted by Musaeus

I'm certain you're right. I rather think though that you could meaningfully say that B's 9th is one of his least good symphonies - I almost can't bear it (the choral movement has never worked for me), and it is surely inferior to 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, all of which are terrific.

As for Sibelius, my tops are 2, 3, 5, and 7; and of these I think probably 3 is not quite as good as the others. 2 hasn't the formal tightness of 5 & 7....... Maybe 6 is the least successful.

I have to agree with you, Musaeus, about the choral movement of B's 9th, despite its superlative moments. As for Sibelius, I will have to listen to these works again (when I purchase the CDs to make up for the shameful lack in my collection, as mentioned above).

[Quijote]

If I may, back to Bruckner. [No, this is a Sibelius thread. Post what you have to say elsewhere. Ed.]
Very well, see elsewhere.

[Quijote]

Originally Posted by ReinerTorheit

Hmmm, you do, don't you?
But didn't you enjoy Luonnotar? What a fantastic piece, eh? )

My apologies ReinerT, I still haven't had the time to listen seriously to the extract you propose. I will do so as soon as I can.

[Scott Good]

Originally Posted by Quijote

A Toronto Anglo: devil's spawn indeed. Pretty hot these days in Québec, wouldn't you say, Scott?

For sure. I am of course on the side of the students, and horrified at the govt's draconian measures...but not surprised.

Originally Posted by Quijote

A dark expresso? Surely a shot of absinthe? Satie would have, in any case!

heh, ya.

[Scott Good]

Originally Posted by Quijote

Great piece that Scott (Gnossienne No. 1), though I have never worked out what the meaning of the title might be. Any idea?

My hunch, which was also suggested by Wiki, is it is derived from Gnossis, as he was supposedly into Gnosticism.

Originally Posted by Quijote

In any case, this is music for making love to. With a glass of red, a bit of candlelight and, let me be frank, a good cheese and baguette just after.

Please, be frank!