Composer

:

Jean Sibelius

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

1895

First Performance

:

Apr 13, 1896

Average_duration

:

11:23

Jean Sibelius' "Lemminkäinen in Tuonela, Op. 22/2" is a tone poem that was composed in 1895. It premiered on April 13, 1896, in Helsinki, Finland, conducted by the composer himself. The piece is part of a larger work called "Four Legends from the Kalevala," which is based on Finnish mythology. The tone poem is divided into four movements, each depicting a different scene from the story of Lemminkäinen, a hero from Finnish mythology. The second movement, "Lemminkäinen in Tuonela," is the most famous of the four and is often performed as a standalone piece. The movement begins with a haunting melody played by the English horn, which represents the river of Tuonela, the Finnish underworld. The melody is repeated several times throughout the piece, creating a sense of foreboding and unease. The strings then enter with a mournful theme, representing Lemminkäinen's journey through Tuonela. As the piece progresses, the music becomes more intense and dissonant, reflecting the dangers that Lemminkäinen faces in the underworld. The brass section enters with a powerful theme, representing the god of Tuonela, who tries to prevent Lemminkäinen from leaving. The music builds to a climax, with the full orchestra playing a frenzied theme that represents Lemminkäinen's struggle to escape. The movement ends with a return to the English horn melody, played softly and mournfully. This represents Lemminkäinen's final moments, as he is killed by the god of Tuonela. The piece ends on a somber note, with the strings playing a final, mournful theme. Overall, "Lemminkäinen in Tuonela" is a powerful and evocative piece of music that captures the mood and atmosphere of Finnish mythology. Its haunting melodies and intense orchestration make it a favorite among classical music lovers and a staple of the orchestral repertoire.

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