Sibelius: En Saga∙Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra∙Frantisek Macek

Jean Sibelius: En Saga, Op. 9
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
František Macek, conductor
Prague Spring Festival
Smetana Hall in Municipal House, Prague
26 May 2021
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) is regarded as one of the greatest Finnish symphonists, and for many, he is the embodiment of Finnish culture. And no wonder. He wrote seven symphonies and eleven symphonic poems, and he treated themes from Finnish mythology, especially in his early works. Besides the vocal symphony Kullervo, another important work in this idiom is the slightly later En Saga, Op. 9 (1892). Surprisingly, its title refers to an Icelandic saga (edda), but it does not tell a concrete story. En Saga was composed in reaction to a request from the conductor and founder of the Orchestra of the Helsinki Philharmonic Society, Robert Kajanus. After the performance of Kullervo in 1891, Kajanus asked Sibelius to compose a shorter, purely orchestral work that could be used more flexibly. The composer complied, but one definitely cannot speak of the piece as being for small forces or of short duration. Sibelius revised the work, and it is known today in several versions (the final version lasts about 20 minutes).