Armas Järnefelt - Orchestral Works (Jaakko Kuusisto)

Information

Composer: Armas Järnefelt

• (01) Symphonic Fantasy
• (02) Suite in E flat major
• (07) Serenade
• (13) Berceuse for violin & orchestra

Lahti Symphony Orchestra

Jaakko Kuusisto, conductor & solo violin

Date: 2010

Label: BIS

https://bis.se/composer/jarnefelt-armas/armas-jarnefelt-orchestral-works

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Review

A delightful quartet of works by Sibelius’s brother-in-law

Although he lived until 1958, Armas Järnefelt’s compositions cluster mostly in the two decades either side of 1900. The pretty Berceuse (1904) which concludes the programme is less ubiquitous than it used to be, like the little Praeludium (not included here) which was also once popular. It more or less single-handedly kept the composer’s name in the catalogue until Ondine released their excellent Lieder disc in 2003. Berceuse is neatly played here, with conductor Jaakko Kuusisto multi-tasking by taking up his violin.

The other works on the disc are much larger in scope and pre-date the turn of the century. The Symphonic Fantasy (1895) is the most impressive, a 21-minute single span cogently argued. The structure, however, is episodic, and while the treatment of the material point-to-point is symphonic, its organisation is distinctly not. That said, it is an effective concert piece (it was roundly slammed at its premiere), not wildly original in idiom and in debt to Wagner rather than Sibelius. The Suite in E flat was written two years later and casts its net wider in terms of influences (I will not spoil your fun in playing spot the composer). Once again, it is a viable concert piece, strong in appeal if a touch anonymous.

Järnefelt’s Serenade (1893) was the best-received of the three larger works and has some undeniably effective moments, but to my mind is not the sum of its parts. It is significantly longer (a touch too long) with the same stylistic magpie-like tendencies. The performances are splendid and BIS’s recorded sound is first-rate. Recommended.

-- Guy Rickards, Gramophone

More reviews:
ClassicsToday  ARTISTIC QUALITY: 9 / SOUND QUALITY: 9

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Jan11/jarnefelt_bis1753.htm

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Armas Järnefelt (14 August 1869 – 23 June 1958) was a Finnish conductor and composer. Born in Vyborg, Järnefelt studied with Ferruccio Busoni in Helsinki and Jules Massenet in Paris. He enjoyed a close relationship with Jean Sibelius, who was married to his sister Aino. Järnefelt had a long career at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, being chief conductor during 1923-33 and 1938-46. He was also artistic director of the Finnish National Opera (1932-36) and principal conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (1942-43). Järnefelt composed more than 70 solo songs, many choral works, as well as stage and film music.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armas_Järnefelt

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Jaakko Kuusisto (17 January 1974 – 23 February 2022) was a Finnish violinist, composer, and conductor. He studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, and the Indiana University under Miriam Fried. After an early career as violinist, Kuusisto increasingly turned his attention to composing and conducting. He composed approximately 40 works in total, including operas, film scores, stage music and chamber works. Kuusisto served as concertmaster of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra for many years, as well as artistic director of the Oulu Music Festival, and chief conductor of the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaakko_Kuusisto

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