In this 1989 BBC documentary, Michael Tilson Thomas reassesses the 6th Symphony of Sibelius - a neglected and ofen misunderstood masterpiece. The programme ends with Tilson conducting the LSO in a performance of the whole symphony.
The older I get the more appreciate the last two Symphonies by Jean Sibelius. Unfortunately, here in Germany he was very much looked down at for a long time due to the verdict of some influential music critics who always know it all. So, it took me a long time to find my way to him. But thank God not too late. And MTT is just great.
Yes. Sibelius is among the greatest of composers but there is a rather unattractive (and culturally insecure) tendency in Germany to look down on composers outside of the German tradition. Adorno is a particularly egregious example of the problem!
One notable exception was von Karajan who was a great Sibelian and kept performing the music throughout his whole career (and recording the 6th three times!).
and the reason why some works by a great composer is played to death and other works are neglected, is this: the orchestra caters to the masses, while the artist, the true creator, catered for no one, except themselves. Thank you for this interesting documentary.
This work contains the music of sanity. I feel shriven after a listening. There are few pieces of 20th century music that make me feel healed. Vaughn Williams 5th is one, the Romanza. But all of this is a complete wellbeing course.
Ditto re RVW 5th (love the serene ending too). I think it was dedicated to Sibelius, who listened to it on BBC radio during WW2 and wrote RVW a very appreciative letter.
That Osmo Vanska SIbelius Edition on BIS label is a thorough survey! I fell in love with Sibelius symphonies and became addicted to his symphonies only after that and other sets of works in that same edition. The recorded sound too o headphones is breathtaking! And Michael is one handsome man!
Thing is, Finns are very comfortable with silence. You can stand at a bus stop, with a dozen or twenty folks in Finland total silence. Tough People, been through a lot, survivors of a bygone time in the history of humanity. I call them The Irish Scandinavians' They love Music/Stories/Nature (All Music, like the Irish) and drinking. And are as mad as a a 'Balloon' Could be, like the Irish they live on the edges of our so called civilisation. So they are allowed to be a bit 'Nutty' But if you love Music, and Drinking, visit Finland. Not just Helsinki! Summer time is gorgeous there.
