Imagine yourself as an alien from space looking at this all: There are dozens of people playing handicraft tools producing different kind of sounds. They use them so well after practising all their life. Now they perform together, producing a great mass of sounds as it is better like that. They perform a composition that other human created in his mind, in a silent room. This is a complete miracle.
With many others here, my favorite symphony, and to date, my preferred performance. Directly from the outset, this performance in my mind is superior in perfection of balance, legato, cohesion, resonance, the ripe to perfection orchestral timbres in each utterance. All Sibelius hoped we would experience, it seems, is found here, without distraction.
I like how conductor Simon Rattle described Sibelius's music generally: there are landscapes and nature but there is no people at all, just the nature.
Please listen to Sir John's performance (Barbirolli). The orchestras today are many times better, but what Sir John does with the Hymn-like opening is something else.
When I listen to this it is one word that comes in my mind: tenderness. Yes, the tenderness about all human beeing, and about the fact that we are so incomplete. Yes, somewhat pathetic words perhaps, but I think Sibelius had that ability to illustrate such feelings in music.
I agree, Staffan. Been a fan all my life and I feel the nature and nationalistic stuff is over done. The latter is an attempt to pigeon hole him and get him out of the way because he is an awkward fit in the canon of western germanic music. Any one who reads his journals will see that state of mind was almost everything in his composing. His relationships were paramount to him. Even the big theme in this work is the Aino theme.
@@noriemeha Wait! You cannot say nature is overdone in Sibelius music! I agree about the nationalistic, but for me nature and Sibelius is almost the same. Listen for example to the Spruce op 75:5, a piano piece, about a forgotten spruce out in the forgotten taiga.
Fehlerlose und wunderschöne Aufführung dieser nordischen Sinfonie mit gut harmonisierten und perfekt balancierten Töne aller Instrumente. Der sorgfältige Maestro dirigiert das ausgezeichnete Orchester im gut phrasierten Tempo mit perfekt kontrollierter Dynamik. Einfach wunderbar!
Huge Yes fan here. I didn't know that, but I can hear the connection, especially Chris Squire's chromatic bass run and Rick Wakeman's burbling keys in the intro.
This is his last symphony, after this he went into silence. And perhaps it is the best he could do, stay in silence, not spoiling his great work with something mediocre. This symphonie has all that we want from a Sibelius symphony. The rest is silence.
And can I pop in Surusoitto Opus 111b (Mournful Music) for organ in the early 1930s (It is reckoned was wrenched from the 8th symphony as Sibelius produced it over-night for a funeral. It is a serious piece not slight theatre stuff) Like Tapiola, it is different, unlike what he has done before, difficult and angst-ridden. The empyrean vistas of the 7th are gone.
@@noriemeha Thank you so much, this is new to me. Wonderful organ music. And I try always to listen to Finlandia without thinking of the Nation, the losses, the heroic wars and so on. It is hard, the Swede I am, but I will continue to try. I try to think about the finnish people, as Väinö Linna has described them in his triology.
Sibelius actually wanted to write his 8th, but he was such a perfectionist that whenever he wrote something he felt it wasn't good enough and burnt it. So yeah he didn't want to write something less beautiful, I wonder what the 8th would have sounded like (Source: TwoSetViolin)
Quand on écoute cet incontestable chef-d'œuvre, on repense à la phrase assassine de René Leibowitz, qui disait que Sibelius était « le plus mauvais compositeur du monde ». Même s'il n'a pas dit cela tout à fait sérieusement, cette phrase n'honore en tout cas pas ce thuriféraire de l'école sérielle viennoise !
@Jeb Clar D'accord avec vous, mais il faut reconnaître que Mahler n'a jamais franchi les limites de la tonalité. Peut-être n'en a-t-il pas eu le temps ?! Ses symphonies et ses lieder demeurent magnifiques. Il ne faut pas non plus mettre toute l'école sérielle viennoise dans le même panier : Wozzeck et le Concerto de violon de Berg sont des chefs-d'œuvre, et les premières œuvres (tonales) de Schoenberg sont très belles aussi (jusqu'aux Gurrelieder inclus).
Imagine yourself as an alien from space looking at this all: There are dozens of people playing handicraft tools producing different kind of sounds. They use them so well after practising all their life. Now they perform together, producing a great mass of sounds as it is better like that. They perform a composition that other human created in his mind, in a silent room. This is a complete miracle.
The aliens may already be giving us a wide berth. We humans have our moments of genius, but that's it; just moments.
@@paulwadsworth7298 just moment's ? You mean the whole culture and History of humankind is "moments". Dont look at the tree but at the forest.
@@paulwadsworth7298 quelle farnetications... vous connaissez bcp de ces créatures autres, vous ?
The video is perfectly coordinated with the music, an extremely rare and thrilling experience. Elegantly filmed
Wonderful! Surely one of the greatest symphonies of all time. Excellent playing and conducting.
Agree 100%
Sibelius' utterly organic music grows and blossoms like a wild landscape of Nature's elements in sound
Thank you, I like your words!
Many thanks from Milan...discovered today this symphonie ...overwhelming performance ❤❤
Just wonderful! Bravo Maestro Franck and orchestra!
This symphony is my favorite symphony I’ve ever listened to, I can’t stop listening to it!
With many others here, my favorite symphony, and to date, my preferred performance. Directly from the outset, this performance in my mind is superior in perfection of balance, legato, cohesion, resonance, the ripe to perfection orchestral timbres in each utterance. All Sibelius hoped we would experience, it seems, is found here, without distraction.
From 6:00 to 7:00 sounded like it was composed by giants living during the last Ice Age. Sweeping, majestic, beyond human scale.
I like how conductor Simon Rattle described Sibelius's music generally: there are landscapes and nature but there is no people at all, just the nature.
@juhis_oksanen it is true ...and it is overwhelming..
Splendid performance! The most hymn-like beginning of the Symphony that I have ever heard. Bravo!
Please listen to Sir John's performance (Barbirolli).
The orchestras today are many times better, but what Sir John does with the Hymn-like opening is something else.
The beauty of the music comes through with discipline and fine conducting, Bravo
What a spirit this orchestra has, bravissimi!
When I listen to this it is one word that comes in my mind: tenderness. Yes, the tenderness about all human beeing, and about the fact that we are so incomplete. Yes, somewhat pathetic words perhaps, but I think Sibelius had that ability to illustrate such feelings in music.
I agree, Staffan. Been a fan all my life and I feel the nature and nationalistic stuff is over done. The latter is an attempt to pigeon hole him and get him out of the way because he is an awkward fit in the canon of western germanic music. Any one who reads his journals will see that state of mind was almost everything in his composing. His relationships were paramount to him. Even the big theme in this work is the Aino theme.
@@noriemeha Wait! You cannot say nature is overdone in Sibelius music! I agree about the nationalistic, but for me nature and Sibelius is almost the same. Listen for example to the Spruce op 75:5, a piano piece, about a forgotten spruce out in the forgotten taiga.
Yes.Tenderness. That is what suddenly struck me recently -the great tenderness in the slow movement.
About 20 minutes but such an immense journey this takes you on, if you let it.
Thanks from Tokyo
Fehlerlose und wunderschöne Aufführung dieser nordischen Sinfonie mit gut harmonisierten und perfekt balancierten Töne aller Instrumente. Der sorgfältige Maestro dirigiert das ausgezeichnete Orchester im gut phrasierten Tempo mit perfekt kontrollierter Dynamik. Einfach wunderbar!
Brilliant. A work of Genius!
Mikko Franck looks like a young Louie Anderson. Great music and musicians uvcorse.
Those trombones should be nominated for sainthood. that is one of the greatest entrances in all of music. from the buildup starting around 18.00
If you're a fan of Yes you might find it interesting that this symphony inspired Jon Anderson in writing Close to the Edge.
Huge Yes fan here. I didn't know that, but I can hear the connection, especially Chris Squire's chromatic bass run and Rick Wakeman's burbling keys in the intro.
Should have been included in the Voyager's Music From Earth.
Si belle leçon de silence...
I can see finland from here
This is his last symphony, after this he went into silence. And perhaps it is the best he could do, stay in silence, not spoiling his great work with something mediocre. This symphonie has all that we want from a Sibelius symphony. The rest is silence.
Last symphony yes but after this he composed two more masterpieces, The Tempest op. 109 (1925-26) and Tapiola Op. 112 (1926).
@@jartsari You are right, and I am wrong, I admit. The Tempest and Tapiola are masterpieces.
And can I pop in Surusoitto Opus 111b (Mournful Music) for organ in the early 1930s (It is reckoned was wrenched from the 8th symphony as Sibelius produced it over-night for a funeral. It is a serious piece not slight theatre stuff) Like Tapiola, it is different, unlike what he has done before, difficult and angst-ridden. The empyrean vistas of the 7th are gone.
@@noriemeha Thank you so much, this is new to me. Wonderful organ music. And I try always to listen to Finlandia without thinking of the Nation, the losses, the heroic wars and so on. It is hard, the Swede I am, but I will continue to try. I try to think about the finnish people, as Väinö Linna has described them in his triology.
Sibelius actually wanted to write his 8th, but he was such a perfectionist that whenever he wrote something he felt it wasn't good enough and burnt it. So yeah he didn't want to write something less beautiful, I wonder what the 8th would have sounded like
(Source: TwoSetViolin)
Wonderful!
Immensa interpretazione
bravo
kova video:3
Nice Ritatando at around 19 but the strings are swimming there a bit until they get together again...
6:00
Yes.
@@lessismore4470 hahahahaha I was looking for the Sibelius Sound lmao
Magnifique
Very beautiful, and a wonderful performance, so well done! But what a short symphony (24 minutes). Has anybody though of extending it?
😂
Quand on écoute cet incontestable chef-d'œuvre, on repense à la phrase assassine de René Leibowitz, qui disait que Sibelius était « le plus mauvais compositeur du monde ». Même s'il n'a pas dit cela tout à fait sérieusement, cette phrase n'honore en tout cas pas ce thuriféraire de l'école sérielle viennoise !
@Jeb Clar D'accord avec vous, mais il faut reconnaître que Mahler n'a jamais franchi les limites de la tonalité. Peut-être n'en a-t-il pas eu le temps ?! Ses symphonies et ses lieder demeurent magnifiques. Il ne faut pas non plus mettre toute l'école sérielle viennoise dans le même panier : Wozzeck et le Concerto de violon de Berg sont des chefs-d'œuvre, et les premières œuvres (tonales) de Schoenberg sont très belles aussi (jusqu'aux Gurrelieder inclus).
13:00
We can "hear" the silence of the deep forest even in the ff.