Leevi MADETOJA (1887-1947)
Vol.1 complete orchestral works
Symphony No. 2 (1917) 40.44
Tragic Episode and Rapids Shooting from Juha (1935) 11.34
Ostrobothnian Suite (1923) 16.15
Oulu SO/Arvo Volmer
rec 1998, Madetoja Hall, Oulu
ALBA ABCD 132 [68.55]
(full price)
Crotchet
Amazon
UK
Of the three symphonies the second stands superior above its successor and
its predecessor. One can see why Alba launched the series with it. In addition
the playing time on this disc is generous by comparison with Vol. 2 (Symphony
No. 1 etc).
Before the symphony come two assemblages of material from the operas
Pohjalaisa and Juha. Both are seriously attractive pieces of
music. The Suite is one of the most atmospheric sound-pictures of the tundra.
One can see where Rautavaara's Cantus Arcticus began. The overhung
tragedy and whiplash attack of the two Juha scenes are well worth
hearing. You must not be surprised if after hearing these items you want
to catch the complete operas (Juha on ODE and Pohjalaisa on
Finlandia). This is all extremely accessible in a Karelian (track
7 1.30), En Saga and Lemminkainen Legends accent.
While I have a passing reservation about the speed (a shade too hurried)
with which the enchanting Allegro moderato (I) is swung by Volmer it is certainly
strongly done. Bask in the sunshine of a work that was clearly influenced
by Sibelius 1 and Kullervo and Balakirev's Symphony No. 1 and Tamara.
The work was premiered by Kajanus, the dedicatee of the First Symphony
and a key supporter of Sibelius as well as a composer in his own right. You
must not miss this symphony. Its tragic strain, hinted at in the first movement,
is transformed by sorrow and fury (Madetoja's borther Yrjo and his friend
and fellow composer Toivo Kuula were killed within month of each other in
1918). It is an essential acquisition and this is an excellent version.
Unglamorous design (will this disc grab the attention in the racks at Tower
or HMV?) is counterbalanced by very fine notes by Riita Pulliainen sensitively
translated by James Nimmo.
Rob Barnett
Leevi MADETOJA (1887-1947)
Vol. 2 complete orchestral works
Symphony No. 1 (1916)
Concert Overture (1911)
Pastoral Suite (1916)
Rustic Scenes (1936)
Oulu SO/Arvo Volmer
rec 1998/99, Madetoja Hall, Oulu
ALBA ABCD 144 [48.28]
(full price)
Crotchet
Amazon
UK
Alba have set themselves some tough targets on the world stage. In their
Madetoja symphonic series they jostle with
Chandos
Enchant £11.50 (2 for 1, Iceland SO/Petri Sakari)
and with Finlandia.
The Symphony is compact and extremely accessible but without the emotional
breadth of the Second Symphony. It is warmed and chilled by currents familiar
from Sibelius's Karelia and the stormy clenched fist of the First
Symphony and, strikingly, from Howard Hanson's Second Symphony.
The spry little overture is pleasing and cleanly orchestrated even if the
ideas are not strongly defined. The suite's four movements are pretty trifles,
expectedly more nationalistic but not at all ambitious. They rush lightly,
dream contentedly; Sibelian idylls each one. The Waltz that tops off the
Pastoral Suite is Gallic and rather at odds with the rest. The Scenes
are taken from the 1930s film 'The Struggle for the Homestead' and their
pastoral credentials are a facsimile of those for the suite. The Sibelian
wind writing in the Sunday Morning movement is unmistakable and a
delight comparable to the innocent country suites of Dane, Ludolf Nielsen
(on Da Capo). I do not recall earlier recordings of these two agreeable light
confections.
Idiomatically translated notes by Riita Pulliainen.
Beautifully performed and recorded collectors will want to add this disc
to their Chandos and Finlandia discs.
Watch out for vol.3. The cycle will be released one album each year. Perhaps
after finishing the Madetoja series we can expect to see an Edric Fordell
symphonic cycle?
Rob Barnett
In case of difficulty ALBA will supply direct:,+358 3 345 1387 or fax
+358 3 345 1384.
timo@alba-records.fi
www.alba-records.fi
