Symphony No. 6 (Sibelius)

Jean Sibelius 's Sixth Symphony, Op 104 was completed in 1923. Although it is often written that it was composed in D minor, you write the score to not have their own key. A large part of the symphony is actually composed in the Dorian mode. As with the earlier symphonies, the composer himself led just there on 19 February 1923, the first performance with the Symphony Orchestra of Helsinki. Dedicated she was Wilhelm Stenhammar, but the publisher has lost the dedication page.

Instrumentation

The symphony is designed for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, harp, timpani and strings.

The symphony has four movements:

  • Allegro molto moderato
  • Allegretto moderato
  • Poco vivace
  • Allegro molto

Effect

The 6th symphony by Jean Sibelius has been designated by the musicologist Gerald Abraham as the " Cinderella of the seven symphonies ". Sibelius himself wrote in 1943 that "the Sixth Symphony always reminded him of the smell of the first snow ." In a remark that was published in 1955, he said: " anger and passion ... are essential ingredients in it, but they are very efficient obscured by the surface of the music. " Sensuality is so refined that Sibelius could claim he offered, in contrast to the lush ' orchestra cocktails ' of his contemporaries ' pure spring water ' at.

The first gramophone recording made ​​on June 8, 1934, Georg Schnéevoigt with the " Finnish National Orchestra " on June 8, 1934 His Master's Voice.

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