Symphony No. 1 (Sibelius)

Jean Sibelius's Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Opus 39 was written in 1898, when Sibelius was 33. The work was first performed on 26 April 1899 by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the composer, in an original version which has not survived. After the premiere, Sibelius made some revisions, resulting in the version performed today. The revised version was completed in the spring and summer of 1900, and was first performed by the Helsinki Philharmonic, conducted by Robert Kajanus on 1 July 1900.

Unlike his later symphonies, the piece does not closely resemble his brass-heavy symphonic movementsDubious|date=September 2008, such as Finlandia, for which Sibelius is knownPOV-statement|date=September 2008. Instead, the symphony closely mimicsLopsided|date=September 2008 the lyrical style of the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and the German composer Johannes BrahmsDubious|date=September 2008. Although Sibelius later denied being influenced by Tchaikovsky or Brahms, the lyricism and the light use of brassVerify source|date=September 2008Or|date=September 2008 is evidence of that influence. Although the piece was initially classified as romantic, some music historiansWho|date=September 2008 argue that it should be classified as modern.

The symphony is characterized by its use of string and woodwind solos; the first movement opens with a long and discursive clarinet solo (strikingly similar to the opening theme to The Godfather)Dubious|date=September 2008 over a timpani roll; this idea returns at the start of the fourth movement, fortissimo in the strings, with wind and brass chordal accompaniment), and subsequent movements include violin, viola, and cello solos. The piece is also characterized by its distinctively minor tonesVague|date=September 2008 that contrast with the overall major tonalityDubious|date=September 2008.

Most performances of the work last between 35 and 40 minutes. Many conductors choose to slacken the speeds suggested by Sibelius's metronome markings, particularly in the fast part ("allegro energico") of the first movement. Because of this, many versions of the symphony are about 38–40 minutes long (the publishers suggest the duration is 40 minutes [http://www.chesternovello.com/Default.aspx?TabId=2432&State_2907=2&workId_2907=33162] ). When played at slower tempi, the work is likely to be regarded as grandiose and romantic, while the faster tempi makes it sound more youthfulPOV-statement|date=September 2008. In Osmo Vänskä's recording of the work, released in 1997, the first movement is played at the metronome mark suggested by Sibelius and takes 9:42 (compared with the 10½–11½ minute duration of most other recordings).

Orchestration

;Woodwind:2 Flutes:2 Oboes:2 Clarinets:2 Bassoons

;Brass:4 Horns:3 Trumpets:3 Trombones:Tuba

;Percussion:Timpani:Triangle:Bass drum:Cymbals

;Harp

;Strings:1st and 2nd Violins:Violas:Cellos:Double basses

Movements

Like most symphonies, it is in four movements:

#Andante, ma non troppo - Allegro energico (dotted half note = 108 MM)
#Andante (ma non troppo lento) (half note = 54 MM)
#Scherzo: Allegro (dotted half note = 108 MM)
#Finale: Andante - Allegro molto - Andante assai - Allegro molto come prima - Andante (ma non troppo)

The first recording was made by Robert Kajanus with the London Symphony Orchestra for the HMV label in May 1930.

External links

* [http://www.sibelius.fi/english/musiikki/ork_sinf_01.htm Article]
* [http://inkpot.com/classical/sibsym1.html Flying Inkpot Review]
* [http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/sibelius_sym1.html WAV and MP3 clips from each movement]