Lahti Symphony Orchestra conducted by Okko Kamu
I – Tempo molto moderato – Largamente – Allegro moderato – Vivace molto – Presto: 0:00
II – Andante mosso, quasi allegretto – Tranquillo – Tempo I – Poco largamente: 15:13
III – Allegro molto – Misterioso – Largamente assai: 24:48
The fifth symphony of Sibelius was started during the summer of 1914, at the beginning of the First World War. Its composition was interrupted by the need to compose minor works for its subsistence. This first version of the symphony premiered on December 8, 1915, on the day of its 50th anniversary, with great success. In January 1916, before its publication, Sibelius made some minor changes in his work, but was not satisfied and made a second version of it that was performed in December 1916. But he still made modifications until the end of the spring of 1919.
We will comment on the version of 1919, compared with the 1915 version. The previous symphony had reached the limits of tonality, presenting itself as very dark and difficult to hear in different parts. Now Sibelius returns to a clearer key, but with a new style. The late stage of Sibelius’s music begins with this work.
The first movement groups the first two movements of the previous version. It begins with a horn call that is not found in the first version, in which the first movement was constituted as a kind of introduction to the second, more dynamic. With the union of both movements Sibelius achieves a more compact structure, presenting greater clarity. The treatment given to the wind is also brighter than in the first version.
The second movement uses the same theme of the previous third movement, but sometimes the treatment of the material is different from the original version. It is important to note the increase in the number of measures compared to the original version. The ending has also changed with the interpretation of the main theme by the wood.
The third movement retains all the elements of the fourth movement of the first version but Sibelius eliminates about two hundred measures, especially repetitions, also slightly varying the orchestration. The final coda has changed with a series of orchestral chords that give it a more solemn and triumphant look than in the first version. Recall that Finland had achieved its independence during the period of recomposition of his symphony and for a nationalist like Sibelius, this should be noted.
Picture: A photograph of the Sibelius monument, Finland.
Sources from this spanish website on Sibelius symphonism: http://www.historiadelasinfonia.es/naciones/la-sinfonia-en-finlandia/sibelius/