The Kalevala is a 19th-century work of poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot in 1835 from Finnish oral folklore and mythology and is considered one of the most significant works of Finnish literature. It has also been important in both the development of the Finnish national identity and as source of inspiration for many Finnish composers, four of whom are featured on this thrilling new recording from BIS.

Unsurprisingly, it is the name of Jean Sibelius that first comes to mind with regard to the Kalevala, as early in his career he became aware of the many opportunities for musical expression that the epic offered. His first major work inspired by the Kalevala was the Kullervo symphony, once, but no longer, a rarity on disc and in the concert hall. Later the much revised Lemminkäinen Suite appeared, and on this SACD we have a world première recording of the original 1896 version of one of its movements, ‘Lemminkäinen in Tuonela’. This was originally placed as the second movement of the Suite but the composer placed it third in his 1939 revision of the work. Dima Slobodeniouk and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra give a compelling performance of the composer’s first thoughts that provide a fascinating comparison with the familiar and final version of the piece.

The music of Leevi Madetoja (1887-1947) is rarely and inexplicably heard outside Nordic countries. He studied with Sibelius at the turn of the century and his late-romantic style has immediate appeal. He is represented here by his 14 minute symphonic poem ‘Kullervo’. This is a heroic and excitingly dramatic work full of contrasts and rich melodic invention. To me it seems to be the Nordic equivalent of Strauss’s Don Juan and as such its neglect is a cause for regret. Thanks, however, to Slobodeniouk’s blazing account here it should entice listeners to investigate more of Madetoja’s most attractive music. Recordings of his three symphonies from these forces would make a wonderful addition to the SACD catalogue.(BIS please take note!).

When Uuno Klami (1900-61) decided to write his six movement ‘Kalevala Suite’ – the longest work on this disc – he described its background thus: “Conscious of the dangers of entering the territory ruled by Sibelius as an autocrat… I began to devise a completely different starting point”. As Kimmo Korhonen, the writer of the excellent liner notes suggests, Klami’s period studying in Paris in the winter of 1924-25 where he met Ravel and Florent Schmitt gave him exposure to cutting edge modernist works of the time. The music of Stravinsky is clearly a huge influence on this Suite. The ‘Rite of Spring’ looms large in the first two movements entitled respectively ‘The Creation of the Earth’ and ‘The Sprout of Spring’ while the lyricism and delicacy of ‘The Firebird’ characterises the two that follow. We return to the world of Sibelius or more accurately late-romanticism with Klami’s finale, representing ‘The Forging of the Sampo’ (a mythical wealth-making machine). This evocative movement exemplifies the composer’s command of the orchestra as it builds from a mysterious quiet opening to a triumphant peroration capped with pealing bells and sonorous brass.

The final work on the disc is ‘Kullervo goes to War’ composed by Tauno Pylkkänen (1918-1980) a pupil of Madetoja who early on, in what was to become a tragic life, achieved success as an opera composer (he was called the ‘Puccini of the North’). The music of ‘Kullervo goes to War’, written when the composer was just 24, has a cinematic quality that, with its energy, galloping rhythms and romantic horn calls, perfectly epitomizes its subject.

Dima Slobodeniouk and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra deliver all these pieces with the total commitment and flare one would expect from an orchestra steeped in this tradition.
All four works were recorded in the clean and spacious, if perhaps slightly chilly, acoustic of the Sibelius Hall, Lahti, Finland between September 2017 and January 2020 by the BIS recording team of Marion Schwebel and Sound engineer Christian Starke.

I cannot recommend this imaginatively constructed programme and superbly executed release highly enough; collectors should find this recording a more than worthy addition to their shelves.

Copyright © 2021 Graham Williams and HRAudio.net

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