Jean Sibelius: The Tempest

Description

Symphonic in scale and ambition, the incidental music to Shakespeare’s play The Tempest was among the last orchestral works Sibelius composed before entering the mysterious ‘silence of Järvenpää’ that lasted until his death. Commissioned by leading Danish theatre producer Johannes Poulsen in 1925, the wide expressive demands of the play saw Sibelius calling on large musical forces. From the terrifying tone picture of the opening shipwreck via ethereal songs, boisterous character portraits and remarkable evocations of nature, Sibelius took full advantage of being set free to convert the themes of Shakespeare’s magical world into his own unique sound. Sibelius had close ties with Danish musical life, and it is fitting that this recording should
have such a Nordic flavour. The Royal Danish Orchestra is internationally renowned for recordings, as well as a pedigree of work with historical and current conductors that include Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein, Sergiu Celibidache, Daniel Barenboim, Sir Simon Rattle, Mariss Jansons, Marek Janowski, Hartmut
Haenchen, Michail Jurowski and many others. This recording is conducted by Okko Kamu, a native Finn who has recorded an acclaimed cycle of Sibelius symphonies, alongside having a highly respected catalogue of over 100 albums to his name.