I am in awe of all the backstory and knowledge you have of the composer and this piece! You're becoming a staple in my musical education I'm glad you exist :) Thanks for sharing this beautiful music!
Connie! I can't tell you how much your comment means to me — I'm all verklempt. 😭 I'm glad you exist, too! And I'm so grateful that my newsletter is providing you with so much discovery and awe. 💙
Michael!! I’m virtually breathless over here. I have to admit I’ve never encountered Lemminkäinen Suite. And what do you know, I’ve found my new melancholia heaven!! Absolutely magnificent in every way possible. And the visuals you paint with your exquisite description makes the piece ever the more lush and heart wrenching. My creative soul aches for Sibelius in those final years. “Innovating geniuses” are completely overrated! You’re right; artists everywhere can commiserate. I’m relieved his work is revered to this day. I watched the live performance and, again, totally breathless by the end. What labor!! Thrilling to say the least!! (Although, I will say that I think I am partial to the hushed, understated conclusion in the recording of the second movement.) Thank you so much for introducing me to this work!! Through your lyrical perspective, I’m once again in my {melancholy} happy place 💙
Thank you, Katie — this is breathtaking music indeed! (Thankfully we aren't left as breathless as the English horn player at the end of this piece.)
I'm so glad Sibelius's solitary swan transported you to a melancholy happy place. It's funny — I remember exactly where I was when I first heard Sibelius's music (the Second Symphony my second year of high school), but I can't remember the first time hearing Swan. After decades of being moved by its shadowy beauty, the music is so hardwired in my brain that I can't find the source.
But my feelings for the piece — all of his pieces — was certainly amplified when I read of his final decades of silence. You're so right: Innovation is completely overrated! And it breaks my heart that he saw himself as an "apparition in the woods." I like to think that wherever Sibelius's energy is currently floating through the cosmos, he can feel the reverberations of his music emanating from concert halls, speakers, and headphones all around the world. 💙
The English Horn player! Yes, sir, please take a breather!!
If I had to pick hardwired music to my brain, this is certainly a top pick! (And maybe a little better than when Willem Dafoe picked Hall & Oates "Private Eyes" for his hardwired song selection ;) haha!)
Your imagery of Sibelius being comforted by our universal celebration of his talent puts my soul at ease, thank you for that!!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Jacob! The Second Symphony is the first piece I ever heard by Sibelius — I feel like it rewired my brain in the best possible way. So glad you’ve had the chance to experience that work live!
Oct 1, 2023·edited Oct 1, 2023Liked by Michael Cirigliano II
Such a pleasant experience reading an informative article, looking at the beautiful illustrations and listening. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Thank you!
I am in awe of all the backstory and knowledge you have of the composer and this piece! You're becoming a staple in my musical education I'm glad you exist :) Thanks for sharing this beautiful music!
Connie! I can't tell you how much your comment means to me — I'm all verklempt. 😭 I'm glad you exist, too! And I'm so grateful that my newsletter is providing you with so much discovery and awe. 💙
Yay!! I can’t wait for the next one :) keep going!! and I learned a new word! Verklempt!
Michael!! I’m virtually breathless over here. I have to admit I’ve never encountered Lemminkäinen Suite. And what do you know, I’ve found my new melancholia heaven!! Absolutely magnificent in every way possible. And the visuals you paint with your exquisite description makes the piece ever the more lush and heart wrenching. My creative soul aches for Sibelius in those final years. “Innovating geniuses” are completely overrated! You’re right; artists everywhere can commiserate. I’m relieved his work is revered to this day. I watched the live performance and, again, totally breathless by the end. What labor!! Thrilling to say the least!! (Although, I will say that I think I am partial to the hushed, understated conclusion in the recording of the second movement.) Thank you so much for introducing me to this work!! Through your lyrical perspective, I’m once again in my {melancholy} happy place 💙
Thank you, Katie — this is breathtaking music indeed! (Thankfully we aren't left as breathless as the English horn player at the end of this piece.)
I'm so glad Sibelius's solitary swan transported you to a melancholy happy place. It's funny — I remember exactly where I was when I first heard Sibelius's music (the Second Symphony my second year of high school), but I can't remember the first time hearing Swan. After decades of being moved by its shadowy beauty, the music is so hardwired in my brain that I can't find the source.
But my feelings for the piece — all of his pieces — was certainly amplified when I read of his final decades of silence. You're so right: Innovation is completely overrated! And it breaks my heart that he saw himself as an "apparition in the woods." I like to think that wherever Sibelius's energy is currently floating through the cosmos, he can feel the reverberations of his music emanating from concert halls, speakers, and headphones all around the world. 💙
The English Horn player! Yes, sir, please take a breather!!
If I had to pick hardwired music to my brain, this is certainly a top pick! (And maybe a little better than when Willem Dafoe picked Hall & Oates "Private Eyes" for his hardwired song selection ;) haha!)
Your imagery of Sibelius being comforted by our universal celebration of his talent puts my soul at ease, thank you for that!!
I saw Sibelius second symphony played by the St. Louis Philharmonic and loved it! Loved the reading, thanks for sharing I learned a lot
Thanks for reading and commenting, Jacob! The Second Symphony is the first piece I ever heard by Sibelius — I feel like it rewired my brain in the best possible way. So glad you’ve had the chance to experience that work live!
Such a pleasant experience reading an informative article, looking at the beautiful illustrations and listening. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Thank you!
Thanks, Jules! Glad you enjoyed your journey to Tuonela. 💙