Sibelius Mäkelä

Jean Sibelius' (1865–1957) had laid a solid foundation for the work when he began his first symphony in 1898. He had studied Finnish folk music thoroughly, became well acquainted with contemporary musical currents through studies in Helsinki, Berlin and Vienna, and found his own symphonic language by writing orchestral works.

Of the composers Sibelius had learned from, Pyotr Tchaikovsky is probably the clearest source of inspiration in this symphony. Tchaikovsky wrote his sixth and final symphony in 1893, shortly before he died. It made a strong impression on Sibelius when he heard it in Helsinki in 1894, and again three years later.

Symphony No. 1 begins with a subdued and melancholy clarinet solo, only accompanied by the timpani. (Nino Rota's famous main theme for the Godfather movies is based on this tune.) The mood changes abruptly as the strings come in, and the listener experiences many mood changes and rich musical landscapes before the symphony ends as melancholy as it began.

This concert is sold out.