少数派。

Album of the Week #2

I’ve been meaning to post this for almost a month now, and my opening line was going to be, “I’ve been listening to Sibelius almost the entire month for the last year of university.” But now, I’ll be graduating in less than a week. Alas.

How I’ve missed this little blog of mine! Today, I wanted to share Sibelius’ symphonies, specifically his First Symphony. Like I’ve said, this has been my go-to when I had to read through 900 pages long international law documents, or parse through dense metaphysics. It’s also excellent to listen to while driving, with the windows down, looking at the mountains and the oceans and the forests gliding past you…

Quick Stats

Full title: Sibelius Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39

Conductor: Simon Rattle

Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic

Composed: 1899

First Performed by: Helsinki Orchestral Society (revised ver. by Helsinki Phil)

Movements: 4

Scoring: 2 flutes (both doubling on piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (1st and 4th movements in A, 2nd and 3rd in B♭), 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, triangle, bass drum, cymbals, harp, and strings

Features: clarinet, viola, violin, and cello solos 😀

Listen on:

• Spotify
• Link

Why it moves me:

Sibelius was greatly influenced by Tchaikovsky and his Symphony no. 6 (Pathétique), another favourite composer of mine, writing, “There is much in that man that I recognise in myself.” I can definitely see the influence, but there is a distinct “Sibelius” sound in the First to be sure, and the surging sounds of the first movement, followed by the tragic but hauntingly beautiful theme of the second, underscores the “sound of Finland” Sibelius becomes famous for.

I think the thing that draws me the most is its internal turmoil, the angst, the somewhat “clunkiness” (as I saw someone say somewhere) of the piece. It’s no where as accomplished or perfected as his later symphonies, but there’s something endearing and heart-grabbing about the First. It reminds me of Psalms 93, 98, and 121 for some strange reason–maybe it’s the passages about the seas that seem to draw the two together? And the last movement–Finale–has a deep rumbling effect, amplified by the strings, then reverting back to the main theme, is simply breath-stopping.

In my early mornings studying in the campus library, late nights spent typing essays furiously, this symphony has been with me, reminding me to look around, to not forget the beauty in the fleeting moments of nature. And although those days are now behind me, Sibelius’ Symphony no. 1 continues to remind me that it’s okay to be imperfect, to struggle, but to be reminded of the Creator of the universe who holds all things together, and in Him and through Him, all things are made.

I don’t know where my fortunes lie. But I know I can trust Him who is faithful to keep the good works that He’s planned far in advance for me.

3 The seas have lifted up, Lord,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the Lord on high is mighty.

(Psalms 93:3-4)