Composer

:

Jean Sibelius

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

1893

Average_duration

:

9:09

Jean Sibelius' "The Swan of Tuonela, Op. 22/3" is a tone poem that was composed in 1895. It premiered on April 16, 1896, in Helsinki, Finland, with the composer conducting. The piece is part of a larger work called "Lemminkäinen Suite," which is based on Finnish mythology. "The Swan of Tuonela" is the third movement of the suite and is scored for a small orchestra. The piece is named after the swan that swims in the Tuonela River, which is the Finnish mythological equivalent of the River Styx. The swan is said to be guarding the entrance to Tuonela, the land of the dead. The piece begins with a haunting melody played by the English horn, which represents the swan. The melody is accompanied by a soft, undulating string section, which creates a sense of calm and serenity. As the piece progresses, the music becomes more intense, with the brass and percussion sections adding to the drama. The middle section of the piece features a solo for the cor anglais, which represents the hero Lemminkäinen. The music becomes more agitated and turbulent, as Lemminkäinen tries to cross the river and confront the swan. The music then returns to the opening theme, with the swan's melody played by the English horn once again. "The Swan of Tuonela" is a beautiful and evocative piece of music that captures the essence of Finnish mythology. Sibelius' use of the English horn and cor anglais gives the piece a unique and haunting sound, which perfectly captures the mood of the story. The piece is a testament to Sibelius' skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both beautiful and emotionally powerful.

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