The exceptional collaboration and friendship between
the late Einojuhani Rautavaara and the internationally
acclaimed bass-baritone Gerald Finley culminates in this
unique album of orchestral songs by Sibelius, on which
the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by
Edward Gardner.
The album offers orchestrations, by Sibelius and others,
of songs which Sibelius originally wrote for voice and
piano, and includes the premiere recording of In the
Stream of Life, seven songs orchestrated by Rautavaara
for his friend. Throughout, the poetry perfectly reflects
the instinctively felt relation between Finnish nature
and Sibelius's music.
As Finley reveals: 'the recording of [In the Stream of
Life] became a very personal project when the sessions
took place only a few weeks after [Rautavaara's] death,
in the same week as his funeral... and I am so thankful
that a final addition was made possible when in the last
months of his life [Rautavaara] agreed to orchestrate
"Hjärtats morgon" and include it in the group.'
1. Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49 13:57
2. In the Stream of Life (Arr. E. Rautavaara): No. 1. Die stille Stadt (The Quiet Town), Op. 50, No. 5 02:50
3. In the Stream of Life (Arr. E. Rautavaara): No. 2. Jägargossen (The Young Sportsman), Op. 13, No. 7 02:53
4. In the Stream of Life (Arr. E. Rautavaara): No. 3. Hjärtats morgon (The Heart's Morning), Op. 13, No. 3 02:31
5. In the Stream of Life (Arr. E. Rautavaara): No. 4. Älven och snigeln (The River and the Snail), Op. 57, No. 1 02:53
6. In the Stream of Life (Arr. E. Rautavaara): No. 5. Näcken (The Elf King), Op. 57, No. 8 02:59
7. In the Stream of Life (Arr. E. Rautavaara): No. 6. Jag är ett träd (The Tree), Op. 57, No. 5 02:57
8. In the Stream of Life (Arr. E. Rautavaara): No. 7. Svarta rosor (Black Roses), Op. 36, No. 1 02:09
9.Koskenlaskijan morsiamet (The Rapid-Rider's Brides), Op. 33 (version for voice and orchestra) 09:49
10. Romance in C Major, Op. 42 05:21
11. Hymn to Thaïs, the Unforgettable, JS 97 (arr. J. Jalas for voice and orchestra) 02:10
12. 6 Songs, Op. 36: No. 6. Demanten på marssnön (The Diamond on the March Snow) (arr. I. Hellman for voice and orchestra) 02:29
13. 8 Songs, Op. 57: No. 6. Hertig Magnus (Baron Magnus) (arr. P. Helasvuo for voice and orchestra) 03:46
14. The Oceanides, Op. 73 10:10
15. 5 Songs, Op. 38: No. 2. På verandan vid havet (On a balcony by the sea) 03:32
16. 5 Songs, Op. 38: No. 3. I natten (In the Night) 05:09
17. Twelfth Night, Op. 60: No. 1. Kom nu hit, död (Come Away, Death) (version for voice and orchestra) 02:57 |
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