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Sibelius's epic Kalevala

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Proms 2020

Sibelius's epic retelling of the Finnish Kalevala saga for orchestra, chorus and soloists is conducted by fellow Finn, Sakari Oramo.

In 2020, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3 is bringing together musical greats, from the past and the present, in one extraordinary Proms season. Radio 3 is broadcasting the best of four decades of unmissable Proms concerts.

This evening, Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo pairs two of Sibelius’s most engagingly descriptive works as part of a Proms season that marked 150 years since the composer’s birth. The folk hero Kullervo was the inspiration behind a powerful national statement for a country struggling to overthrow Russian rule. This massive musical hybrid – part cantata, part symphony, part suite – is a vivid work, richly melodic but looking ahead to modernism in some striking musical gestures.

The opening work, En saga, is a fairy tale without a plot, whose contrasting movements suggest many possible stories, but never commit to just one. Sibelius began working on the piece in 1891, soon after returning from musical studies in Vienna and Berlin. It wasn’t until 1902, however, that he completed the version we know today.

Presented by Ian Skelly.

Sibelius: En saga
Sibelius: Kullervo

Johanna Rusanen (soprano)
Waltteri Torikka (baritone)
Polyteknikkojen Kuoro
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Chorus (men's voices)
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)
(From the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Proms 2015, 29 August)

2 hours, 28 minutes

Last on

Tue 4 Aug 2020 19:30
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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Daniel Barenboim and his West–Eastern Divan Orchestra2020

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Music Played

  • Jean Sibelius

    En Saga

    Orchestra: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo.

  • Jean Sibelius

    Kullervo

    Singer: Johanna Rusanen. Singer: Waltteri Torikka. Choir: Finnish Polytechnic Choir. Choir: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Chorus. Orchestra: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo.

  • William Walton

    Viola Concerto (1961 version)

    Performer: James Ehnes. Orchestra: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
    • Chandos.

  • Heitor Villa‐Lobos

    Bachiana brasileira No 5

    Singer: RenΓ©e Fleming. Ensemble: New World Symphony. Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas.
    • Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras: Michael Tilson Thomas.
    • RCA.
    • 5-6.

Broadcast

  • Tue 4 Aug 2020 19:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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