Lemminkäinen Suite, Sibelius

Having been listening to Radio 3’s intriguing “Northern Lights” season I have been inspired to listen to Sibelius’ Lemminkäinen Suite. It has reminded me what a beautiful piece of music this is. I love his use of folkloric themes to form tone poems. Composed at a time when Finland was still a Grand Dutchy of Russia (it remained so untill the Russian Revolution of 1917), Sibelius was looking for something which represented Finnish Nationalism.
The Lemminkäinen Suite Op. 22, was written by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in the early 1890s. He originally conceived it as a mythological opera, Veneen luominen (The Building of the Boat), influenced by the work of Richard Wagner. Sibelius later changed direction and the work became an orchestral piece in four movements. The character of Lemminkäinen comes from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. It could also be considered a collection of symphonic poems.

Lemminkäinen and the Maidens of the Island: this is based on Runo 29 (“Conquests”) of the Kalevala, where Lemminkäinen travels to an island and seduces many of the women there, before fleeing the rage of the men on the island.
The Swan of Tuonela: this is the most popular of the four tone poems and often is featured alone from the suite in orchestral programs. It has a prominent cor anglais solo. The music paints a gossamer, transcendental image of a mystical swan swimming around Tuonela, the island of the dead. Lemminkäinen has been tasked with killing the sacred swan, but on the way he is shot with a poisoned arrow, and dies himself.
Lemminkäinen in Tuonela: this is based on Runos 14 (“Elk, horse, swan”) and 15 (“Resurrection”). Lemminkäinen is in Tuonela, the land of the dead, to shoot the Swan of Tuonela to be able to claim the daughter of Louhi, mistress of the Northland, in marriage. However, the blind man of the Northland kills Lemminkäinen, whose body is then tossed in the river and then dismembered. Lemminkäinen’s mother learns of his death, travels to Tuonela, recovers his body parts, reassembles him and restores him to life.
Lemminkäinen’s Return: the storyline in the score roughly parallels the end of Runo 30 (“Jack Frost”), where after his adventures in battle, Lemminkäinen journeys home.
Also included on this disc is Luonnotar and The Bard.