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From: greg@olivee.UUCP (Greg Paley)
Newsgroups: net.music.classical
Subject: Re: Sibelius - tone poems
Message-ID: <473@olivee.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 3-Sep-85 12:56:39 EDT
Article-I.D.: olivee.473
Posted: Tue Sep  3 12:56:39 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Sep-85 02:51:40 EDT
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Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 48

> Having no great knowledge of classical music, in specific, and liking
> all kinds of music in general (and proud of being Finnish) I have
> purchased and liked the two Sibelius' albums I have.  On the cover
> of one is some critics' views of Sibelius.  He mentioned that
> Sibelius is well known for his tone poems and is quite good at
> these specific compositions.  I certainly liked them.  Finlandia
> was one I believe that went over quite well with me.  What does
> anyone else think of Sibelius' works?  Please don't be too rough!
> Curious to learn.
> JR

I wouldn't worry about someone being "too rough".  Since no two
"major" critics seem to agree on anything, the fact that you like them
should be as valid a judgement for you as anything you read.

Since you asked, though, I'll put in my own impressions of Sibelius'
music.  I find that the most consistent and striking characteristic of
Sibelius is the simplicity of the thought conveyed.  His music 
communicates what it has to say in a very direct, straightforward way.
For this reason, it can appeal very well to both the unsophisticated
listener and the "expert".  For the former, no particular knowledge of
musical structure or form is necessary to appreciate what is heard.
For the latter, the charm and skill with which the music is crafted,
as well as the honesty and ingenuousness of the expression embodied in
it can make the music enjoyable and a pleasant relief from
music listening that is wonderful but more taxing to the intellect
and concentration, like the late Beethoven quartets.

I find the 5th and 7th symphonies particularly enjoyable.  I had some
difficulty at first with the 4th symphony, mainly because of what I
had read about it.  Various critics talked about the depth and
profundity hidden within the depths of this enigmatic work.  I heard
nothing of the sort and was, therefore, disappointed with what struck
me as the apparent emptiness of the work.  The first movement illustrates
this particularly:  a slow, impressive introduction building gradually,
increasing your expectations, leading to - - -  a brass snort and then,
basically, nothing.  Discarding what I had read about it, I realized
that I was looking for something that the work wasn't and therefore was
unable to appreciate it for the lovely, unprofound, writing that is there.

As to the tone poems, I generally enjoy the Kalevala legends.  Sometimes,
though, for my tastes the shorter works degenerate into sugary "move music",
such as "En Saga" and "Finlandia".  However, some people have more of a
musical "sweet tooth" than others, and I certainly wouldn't want to think
that someone who has enjoyed this music should have that enjoyment spoiled
because I, or anyone else, don't share the sentiment.

	- Greg Paley