Composer

:

Jean Sibelius

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1892

Average_duration

:

2:18

'Kullervo's Lament' is a symphonic poem composed by Jean Sibelius in 1892. It is based on the Finnish epic poem 'Kalevala' and tells the tragic story of Kullervo, a young man who is sold into slavery and seeks revenge against his family. The piece premiered on April 28, 1892, in Helsinki, conducted by the composer himself. The piece is divided into five movements, each depicting a different aspect of Kullervo's story. The first movement, 'Introduction', sets the scene with a somber and mournful melody played by the strings. The second movement, 'Kullervo's Youth', is more lively and depicts Kullervo's carefree youth before he is sold into slavery. The third movement, 'Kullervo and His Sister', is the most dramatic and intense of the piece, as Kullervo discovers that the woman he has fallen in love with is actually his long-lost sister. The fourth movement, 'Kullervo Goes to War', is a march-like section that depicts Kullervo's journey to seek revenge against his family. The final movement, 'Kullervo's Death', is a slow and mournful section that depicts Kullervo's tragic end. The piece is characterized by its use of Finnish folk melodies and its dramatic and emotional intensity. Sibelius was inspired by the Finnish national identity movement and sought to create music that reflected the spirit of his homeland. 'Kullervo's Lament' is considered one of his earliest and most important works, and it helped establish him as one of the leading composers of his time.

More....