Kullervo (Sibelius)
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Kullervo, Op. 7 is an early choral symphony written by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). Sibelius subtitled Kullervo a "symphonic poem for soloists, chorus and orchestra."
The work, based on the character of Kullervo from the epic poem Kalevala, premiered to great critical acclaim in 1892. However, Sibelius soon withdrew the work and it was only at the very end of his life that he considered revising it. Sibelius allowed a performance of the third movement for a centenary celebration of the "Kalevala" in 1935. It was next performed in 1958, a year after Sibelius's death, with Jussi Jalas, Sibelius's son-in-law, conducting the work. It wasn't recorded until the 1970s.
The first performance in the United States was given in Milwaukee with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra under Kenneth Schermerhorn. Schermerhorn took his orchestra on tour and performed it in Washington, D.C. and at Carnegie Hall in New York. Since then many orchestras have performed and recorded the work.
[edit] The music
The work is in five movements, each chronicling a different part of Kullervo's life.
1. Introduction For orchestra only, this movement sets up the work.
2. Kullervo's Youth Also for orchestra, this movement has the sounds of a lullaby.
3. Kullervo and his Sister Scored for male chorus as well as male and female soloists, this work chronicles how Kullervo falls in love with a woman, only to realize too late that it is his sister, who commits suicide when she learns the truth. It ends with a male solo of Kullervo's lament at his sister's death.
4. Kullervo Goes to Battle Energetic war-like music.
5. Kullervo's Death A haunting male chorus tells of Kullervo's death.
The work runs something over an hour. The duration depends very much upon the conductor. Seven recent recordings range from 69 minutes, 48 seconds to 80 minutes, 46 seconds in length.
[edit] Selected discography
- Kullervo with Paavo Berglund conducting the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, in a symphonic survey of Sibelius. (EMI Classics 74485)
- Kullervo with Robert Spano conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. (Telarc 80665)
- Kullervo with Sir Colin Davis conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. (LSO 0074)
