Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
The Sibelius Edition - Volume 11 – Choral Music
The complete works for choir a cappella and with piano/organ accompaniment
YL Male Voice Choir/Matti Hyökki, Orphei Drängar/Robert Sund, Akademiska Sångföreningen/Henrik Wikström, Jubilate Choir/Astrid Riska, Dominante Choir/Seppo Murto, Florakören/Ulf Långbacka
Helena Juntunen (soprano), Johanna Rusanen (soprano), Monica Groop (mezzo), Mika Pohjonen (tenor), Jorma Hynninen (baritone)
Folke Gräsbeck (piano), Ilmo Ranta (piano)
rec. 1996-2009, Finland, Sweden. DDD
6 CDs for the price of 3
Track-listing at end of review
BIS-CD-1930-32 [6 CDs: 437:34]
Only two more boxes after this and BIS’s regal Sibelius Edition will be complete. The symphonies are next: (including fragments) due January 2011 and a mopping up, miscellanea and Masonic box is to follow in April 2011.
The schema of this set is broadly: first two CDs of male voice choirs, second couple of female or children’s choirs and last pair: Appendices and variants for various choral specifications. The discs have in common singing that picks up on wonderfully varied dynamics, word unanimity and watchfully-honed attention to mood and colouration. There are various different versions of the same piece as must be the case with a project of this sort.
Earlier instalments linked with the present volume include:-
Vol.3 - Voice and Orchestra http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Feb09/Sibelius_Edition_BIS_I-V.htm
Vol.7 - Complete Solo Songs http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Mar09/Sibelius_songs_biscd1918.htm
The first disc launches with lusty piano playing at full throttle in two Kullervo extracts from Ilmo Ranta. The passion of the playing makes up for some laboured elbows-out awkwardness. Ranta makes most poetic work of the trembling and glittering music at the start of Kullervo’s Death. The engaged singing allows for superbly graded dynamics and plenty of heft. Hynninen is the doyen of Kullervos while Rusanen the soprano is impressive if not quite as flammable as some of her predecessors. These two tracks are the third and fourth movements from Kullervo but laid out for choir and piano.
Rakastava is sung honey-honed and suave yet not facile. It resists the pull towards sentimentality. To the Moon and The Boat Journey are Kalevala texts in the Kirby translation (Everyman Edition). Boat journey is full of ruddy outdoors life. Here the words are sung out with thudding impact over a bass drone. One can see how Veljo Tormis might have been influenced. Song of my heart, to words by Alexis Kivi, relies soundly on beauty inflected by melancholy. Cease O Cataract - completed by Erik Bergman with Jussi Jalas and Erik Tawastjerna – is a jolly piece from material derived from the Kalevala. The 1896 Hymn carries slight overtones of Finlandia but is more ecclesiastical in feel as is In the moonlight.
The very short Song of the Athenians (text: Viktor Rydberg) appears here in a version for boys’ and men’s voices with piano and harmonium. It is lustily delivered in the manner of Carmina Burana. That said, rather stolid march tempo that develops suggests something of a national anthem – the equivalent of John Brown's Body. Sandels (Runeberg) – cheeky and jolly rather than rhetorically heroic – hymns a national Finnish hero. It’s for male voice choir and piano.
The male voice theme continues with the second disc. The resounding Har du Mod? (Have you courage?) is very forthright and masculine. It is even more impressively gruff and stand-and-deliver in the 1911 revision (tr.7). The churchy The Power of Song. My Brothers Abroad is defiant. Mr Lager and the Fair One (1914) is enchanting. Sibelius blossoms in the Five Songs op. 84 (1914-15). In Eternal Eros baritone Olle Persson rises resolutely above the male voice choir. To Sea is a swinging forthright shanty rather than an evocation of the murmuring oceanic miles. Origin of Fire is here – a work known in its orchestral version and first fierily recorded in that form by Thor Johnson in Cincinnati for Remington - with baritone (Raimo Laukka), male voice choir and piano. Folke Gräsbeck, who presided over the two Bis volumes of piano solo music, rides the rapids and is at the keyboard again for the last two items on the disc.
On CD 2 we hear the March of the Finnish Jäger Battalion which appears in one of the orchestral volumes. It is here evocative of nothing so much as one of those WW2 arm-swinging Soviet marching songs of the 1940s. It is unrelentingly cheerful in the collective spot-on power of the voices. Gräsbeck punches in the rhythmic emphasis and much the same goes for Karelia's Fate later on the disc. The 1925 Humoreski (tr.22) is original in tone. It works as a moving even sentimental moonlit serenade. Very affecting as also is Likhet where the caramel-lyric headline moves over a thrumming bass drone. This disc ends as does the sixth disc with the composer’s 1940 male voice arrangement of the familiar 1899 Finlandia Hymn.
The third CD moves on to music for mixed choir. It’s refreshing after so much male voice dominance. The Jubilate and Dominante choirs revel in the silvery and ringing resonance of the 1888 settings (first six tracks). March of the Labourers has the decisive determination of the marches on CDs 1 and 2. Italy was a popular stamping ground for Sibelius and it should come as little surprise that there are two red-blooded little Neapolitan-style songs written in 1897-98. The academic cantata was a genre much favoured by Sibelius, Alfven and Nielsen - no doubt the commission fee was welcome and a composer must live as well as create great things. The 20 minute cantata for the 1897 University Graduation Ceremony is not just a confection of Gaudeamus Igitur marches with arrogant caps and gowns. There is time instead for romantic reflection. This is perhaps typical of the Scandinavian take on German romantic choral repertoire as favoured by Brahms and Schumann. Many on the Sea of Life (tr. 15) is remarkably open-hearted. As the Swift Current rings the changes by adding parts for triangle, cymbals and bass drum in music that for me looks forward - far forward - to The Tempest. The three pieces that make up the Carminalia are reverentially ecclesiastical in style. Another version of Rakastava then puts in a further appearance and serves to point up the attractions of this music. Fortunate indeed that unlike Valse Triste this piece must have made him a little money. Despite its ubiquity this must have brought him some material reward. His Six Songs op. 18 include four settings or mixed choir. The Venematka we have heard before, for men only. Its punchy rhythmic invention shines even brighter with the addition of female voices and it is sung with turbo-charged fervour. The innocent Busy as a Thrush from 1898 trips along most beautifully and is further evidence of these excellent performances and recording.
CD 4 continues the mixed choir theme. Listen to the Watermill is a rare setting of words in English. One wonders if this text had been commended to him by one of his British champions – perhaps Bantock. We also hear the three English language songs for American schools (trs. 9-11). A Cavalry Catch is to words by Fiona Macleod whose poetry was set by Bantock in the folk-opera, The Seal Woman. Truth to tell, this little song is a very simple thing without any faery subtlety. Two of these three songs include a piano part. Deeply treasurable is the suave Men from Land and Sea of 1911. This is followed by The Bells of Kallio Church which we heard in the piano solo version on one of the two piano volumes played by Folke Gräsbeck.
Partiolaisten marssi (Scout March) has the flavour of a grand processional assembly march with martial piano very much to the fore. This is in company with several skilled but unassuming school songs, carols and hymns. We also hear another version of the Finlandia Hymn and then a sequence for Female only or Children's Choir including the swirlingly disturbing piece for women's choir Why O Father do you Kiss My Bride 1889-90 - a Greek folksong as worded by Johan Runeberg. The women's voices version of Carminalia is not short on passionate determination and the tone of the choir positively shines when it comes to In stadio laboris (tr. 22). More silvery enchantment is on offer in Homesickness for three-part female choir. Hiding behind the title of Impromptu is some growlingly dark sentiment and Folke Gräsbeck is fully complicit in the mood. This is one of the strangest and most provocative pieces here. All the more surprising as it lurks behind the most inconsequential of titles.
The children's choir March of the Primary School Children shows invention and freshness yet keeps true to simplicity. More subtle material also yields satisfaction in the shape of In the morning Mist. The Two Christmas Songs are for two-part female choir. These dates from 1900 but were worked over afresh in the depths of the Second World War. I really liked the deliberate emphasis of the singing in High Are the Snowdrifts. The disc ends with the very late school assembly-style, piano-accompanied The World Song of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It has stirring words sung without a blink or hint of embarrassment. Refreshingly bright and straight-speaking.
CDs 5 and 6 set out various Appendices and variants. CD 5 launches with Appendix 1. First we hear some cool academic chorales for Martin Wegelius in Helsinki (1887-89). Two of them are presented in two versions. These are unadorned technical exercises. They have curiosity value rather than anything else to lift them from the mundane. Then come the chorales written for Albert Becker in Berlin (1889-90). These are a different proposition and are less strictly regimented. They show more freedom and inspiration fledges. These pieces are a significant leap forward being more than mere exercises in technique. They are wonderfully sung by the Dominante Choir under Seppo Murto. We end with the ornamented and piano-accompanied (Gräsbeck again) Herr, du bist ein Fels. This is pleasant enough but shows hardly a glimmer of the troubled magus Sibelius was to become.
The last disc sets forth the second appendix - this time of alternatives and preliminary versions. Mind you we have already encountered, within this set, many alternative versions but hey ho more to come and nothing is boring or certainly nothing is disagreeable; far from it. There's the lively, rhetorical and sometimes soulful piano-accompanied Cantata for the University Graduation Ceremonies of 1897. The Finnish language gleams and glows in this context. Sample the These Young Guardians of Light at tr. 3 with its affecting parts for the soloists. This 40 minute sequence should not be taken for granted. In addition there are yet further versions of the burnished Natus in curas for male voice choir and for two-part female choir with organ the three segment Carminalia which here emerges in rather ascetic weeds. I rather liked the fiercely sung Song of the Athenians for boys and men's choir a cappella. It here receives its world premiere recording as with so much else in this set. Again the Impromptu, with the turbulent and sometimes jaunty piano part sets a provocative contrast with the female choir. Similarly stark and belligerently forward is Have You Courage? for male voice choir and piano. At tr. 24 we have Nejden andas which is said to be for children's choir but this sounds like a female choir. Till havs (To sea) sounds as salty and ozone-fierce as in the version heard earlier in the set. We end fittingly with two yet further versions of the fervent Finlandia Hymn – one is for male voice choir a cappella (1899 arr. 1938) and the other a version in A flat major for mixed choir (arr. 1948). Each is set to different words by Wäinö Sola and Veikko Antero Koskenniemi.
The lucid and imaginatively-organised notes are by Sibelius authority Andrew Barnett whose rewarding major biography is well worth getting. Might I also put in a plea for another biography - not the rather indigestible three volume Tawaststjerna tome (in Robert Layton's translation) but a for me recent discovery: the Phaidon Press book by Guy Rickards. It is the most pacy and gratifyingly readable Sibelius book I have come across. It is generous with fresh insights and discoveries at every turn with new light shed on works by their interaction with Sibelius's life. The much more detailed Andrew Barnett book follows hot on its heels.
An over-width box houses the six discs and substantial booklet with full annotation. The box is more fully filled with the sixth disc. Naturally the cover design of the box is uniform with the other volumes. Those two swans, the morning lake and pine trees are by now iconic among Sibelians. There’s a plain white sleeve with transparent window for each CD.
Bis are a thoughtful company. One example - you can liberate each disc from its envelope by simply shaking it out. Banal? Well, in many cases these bargain boxes offer envelopes in which the CD can barely be extricated from the envelope, so tight is the fit. The booklet does some gladdening keying from contents page to sung text – a really practical approach.
That’s it then: a comprehensive treasury of Sibelius's concerted vocal writing moving through heroic, rhetorical, innocent, anthem, school room, assembly hall, boudoir, church and jamboree. Comprehensive is a tall order - one wonders what other discoveries will be made in years to come. Presumably Bis will mop up any discoveries in their last volume. Meantime, look forward with hope to the next box which will include the symphonies with fragments and alternative versions. By June 2011 the final volume will be upon us including the Masonic music and the stragglers.
True Sibelians will have advance-ordered this set and will not be disappointed. It maintains the admirable standards of presentation, scholarship and revelatory delight achieved by the previous volumes.
Nothing sounds merely time-serving or academic gap-filling. Everything projects as a full musical experience - some modest and some much more - but all the works are aptly even fervently communicated. I cannot stress too much the excellent tone, coordination and artistic feeling of the choirs chosen for this momentous series.
Rob Barnett
A full musical experience - some modest and some much more - but all the music is aptly, and even fervently, communicated.
The Bis Sibelius Edition reviewed on MusicWeb International
Vols. 1-5 http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Feb09/Sibelius_Edition_BIS_I-V.htm
Vol. 6 http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Jan09/Sibelius_biscd191517.htm
Vol. 7 http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Mar09/Sibelius_songs_biscd1918.htm
Vol. 8 http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2009/June09/Sibelius_8_BISCD192123.htm
Vol. 9 http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2009/Nov09/Sibelius_Edition9_biscd192426.htm
Vol. 10 http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/July10/sibelius_bis-cd-1927-29.htm
Themed review page including reviews of single CDs
http://www.musicweb-international.com/Themed_releases/BIS_Sibelius/Sibelius_Edn.htm
Track-listing for Volume 11
THE SIBELIUS EDITION Vol.11 - Choral Music
CD 1:
Jean Sibelius
Kullervo, Op.7: Movements III and V for soloists, male voice choir and piano
1. III. Kullervo ja hänen sisarensa (Kullervo and his Sister). Allegro 26'00
2. V. Kullervon kuolema (Kullervo’s Death) 11'47
3. Rakastava (The Lover), JS160a 7'40
Six Songs, Op.18
4. 1. Sortunut ääni (The Broken Voice) 1'20
5. 2. Terve kuu (Hail, O Moon) 3'10
6. 3. Venematka (The Boat Journey) 1'34
7. 4. Saarella palaa (Fire on the Island) 1'23
8. 5. Metsämiehen laulu (The Woodsman’s Song) 1'36
9. 6. Sydämeni laulu (Song of my Heart) 2'12
10. Heitä, koski, kuohuminen (Cease, O Cataract, Thy Foaming), JS94 1'11
Hymn (Natus in curas), Op.21 11. Revised version (1896, rev. 1898) 4'01
12. Kuutamolla (In the Moonlight), JS114 1'53
Athenarnes sång (Song of the Athenians), Op.31 No.3 13. Version for boys’ and mens’ voices, piano and harmonium (1899) 3'15
Sandels, Op.28 14. Version for male voice choir and piano (1898) 9'22
CD 2:
Har du mod? (Have You Courage?), JS93 1. Version for male voice choir a cappella 1'26
Ej med klagan (Not with Lamentation), JS69 2. Version for male voice choir 1'11
Laulun mahti (The Power of Song), JS118 3'01
Veljeni vierailla mailla (My Brothers Abroad), JS217 3'13
Isänmaalle (To the Fatherland), JS98b 5. Final version (1899, rev. 1908) 2'10
Tulen synty (The Origin of Fire), Op.32 6. Version for baritone, male voice choir and piano (1902, rev. 1910) 8'42
Har du mod? (Have You Courage?), Op.31 No.2 7. Revised version for male voice choir and piano (1904, rev. 1911) 3'07
Uusmaalaisten laulu (Song of the People of Uusimaa), JS214b 8. Version for male voice choir 2'04
Five Songs, Op.84
1. Herr Lager och Skön fager (Mr Lager and the Fair One) 1'57
2. På berget (On the Mountain) 3'01
3. Ett drömackord (A Dream Chord) 3'36
4. Evige Eros (Eternal Eros) 2'58
5. Till havs (To Sea) 2'24
Fridolins dårskap (Fridolin’s Folly), JS84 2'27
Jone havsfärd (Jonah’s Voyage), JS 100 2'29
Two Schybergson Songs, JS224
1. Ute hörs stormen (Outside the Storm is Raging) 2'11
2. Brusande rusar en våg (The Roaring of a Wave) 1'20
Likhet (Resemblance), JS121 - Likhet (Resemblance), JS12 2'08
Jääkärien marssi (March of the Finnish Jäger Battalion), Op.91a - Original version for male voice choir and piano 2'20
Viipurin Laulu-Veikkojen kunniamarssi (Honour March of the Singing Brothers of Viipuri) Version I, JS219 1'24; Version II, JS220 1'14
Two Songs, Op.108
1. Humoreski (Humoresque) 3'28
2. Ne pitkän matkan kulkijat (Wanderers on the Long Way) 2'44
Skyddskårsmarsch, JS173 1'11
Siltavahti (The Guardian of the Bridge), JS170a 1'37
Karjalan osa (Karelia’s Fate), JS108 4'14
En etsi valtaa, loistoa (Give me no Splendour, Gold or Pomp), Op.1 No.4 27. Version for male voice choir (1909, rev. c. 1942) 2'38
Finlandia Hymn from Op.26 28. Version for male voice choir 2'05
CD 3:
1. Ensam i dunkla skogarnas famn (Alone in the Dark Forest’s Clasp), JS72 2'31
2. När sig våren åter föder (When Spring is Born Again), JS139 1'58
3. Tanke, se, hur fågeln svingar (Thought, See how the Bird Swoops), JS191 1'16
4. Hur blekt är allt (So Faded Everything Is), JS96 2'05
5. Upp genom luften (Up Through the Air), JS213 2'45
6. Ack, hör du fröken Gyllenborg (Ah! Listen, Miss Gyllenborg), JS10 1'03
7. Työkansan marssi (March of the Labourers), JS212 2'19
8. Soitapas soria neito (Play, Pretty Maiden), JS176 1'23
9. Juhlamarssi (Festive March), JS105 4'02
Italian Folk Song Arrangements, JS99
10. 1. Oje Carulì (Oh Caroline) 2'49
11. 2. Trippole trappole 1'57
Songs for Mixed Choir from the Cantata for the University Graduation Ceremonies of 1897, Op.23
12. 1. Me nuoriso Suomen (We the Youth of Finland) 2'43
13. 2. Tuuli tuudittele (The Wind Rocks) 2'20
14. 3. Oi toivo, toivo, sä lietomieli (O Hope, Hope, You Dreamer) 1'00
15. 4. Montapa elon merellä (Many on the Sea of Life) 0'48
16. 5. Sammuva sainio maan (The Fading Thoughts of the Earth) 1'21
17. 6a. Soi kiitokseksi Luojan (We Praise Thee, our Creator) 1'31
18. 6b. Tuule, tuuli leppeämmin (Blow, Wind, More Gently) 2'51
19. 7. Oi Lempi, sun valtas ääretön on (O Love, Your Realm is Limitless) 2'32
20. 8. Kuin virta vuolas (As the Swift Current) 2'25
21. 9. Oi, kallis Suomi, äiti verraton (Oh Precious Finland, Mother Beyond Compare) 1'20
Carminalia, JS51a - Version for three-part mixed choir
22. I. Ecce novum gaudium (Behold a New Joy) 1'08
23. II. Angelus emittitur (An Angel is Sent Out) 0'34
24. III. In stadio laboris (In Athletic Strife) 0'42
25. Rakastava (The Lover), JS160c 7'13
from Six Songs, Op.18 – versions for mixed choir
26. 1. Sortunut ääni (The Broken Voice) 1'32
27. 3. Venematka (The Boat Journey) 1'37
28. 4. Saarella palaa (Fire on the Island) 1'19
29. 6. Sydämeni laulu (Song of my Heart) 3'01
30. Min rastas raataa (Busy as a Thrush), JS129 1'17
Isänmaalle (To the Fatherland), JS98a
31. Version for mixed choir 2'03
CD 4:
Aamusumussa (In the Morning Mist), JS9a
1. Version for mixed choir 1'38
Den 25 oktober 1902. Till Thérèse Hahl (25th October 1902. To Thérèse Hahl)
2. Version I, JS60. Andantino 2'09
3. Version II, JS61. Tranquillo 2'07
Ej med klagan (Not with Lamentation), JS69
4. Published version for mixed choir 1'19
5. Listen to the Water Mill (fragment), JS122 3'06
Two Songs, Op.65
6. a. Män från slätten och havet (Men from Land and Sea) 5'22
7. b. Kellosävel Kallion kirkossa (The Bells of Kallio Church) 2'17
Uusmaalaisten laulu (Song of the People of Uusimaa), JS214a
8. Version for mixed choir 2'15
Three Songs for American Schools, JS199
9. 1. Autumn Song 0'54
10. 2. The Sun upon the Lake Is Low 0'44
11. 3. A Cavalry Catch 1'01
12. Drömmarna (The Dreams), JS64 1'27
Partiolaisten marssi (Scout March), Op.91b
13. Version for mixed choir and piano 2'34
14. Koulutie (The Way to School), JS112 4'41
15. Skolsång (School Song), JS172 1'02
16. Den höga himlen (The Lofty Heav’n), JS58a 2'43
17. On lapsonen syntynyt meille (A Child is Born Unto Us), JS142 2'52
Finlandia Hymn from Op.26
18. Version in F major for mixed choir 2'04
19. Vi kysser du fader min fästmö här? (Why, O Father, do you Kiss my Bride?), JS218 2'07
Carminalia, JS51c - Version for two-part female choir (SA) and piano
20. I. Ecce novum gaudium (Behold a New Joy) 1'05
21. II. Angelus emittitur (An Angel is Sent Out) 0'37
22. III. In stadio laboris (In Athletic Strife) 0'43
23. Kotikaipaus (Homesickness), JS111 1'46
Impromptu, Op.19
24. Revised version for female choir and piano 7'04
25. Kansakoululaisten marssi (March of the Primary School Children), JS103 1'47
26. Kantat till ord av W. von Konow (Cantata to Words by W. von Konow), JS107 2'59
Aamusumussa (In the Morning Mist), JS9b
27. Version for children’s choir 1'35
Terve ruhtinatar (Hail, O Princess) from JS104
28. Version for children’s choir 1'18
Nejden andas (The Landscape Breathes) from Op.30
29. Version for children’s choir with second ending 0'39
Soi kunniaksi Luojan (May the Hymn of Honour Now Resound) from JS106
30. Version for children’s/female choir 1'30
Two Christmas Songs from Op.1 - Versions for two-part female choir
31. No.4. Giv mig ej glans, ej guld, ej prakt (Give me no Splendour, Gold or Pomp) 2'16
32. No.5. On hanget korkeat, nietokset (High are the Snowdrifts) 2'14
33. The World Song of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Op.91b 1'51
CD 5:
Chorales written for Martin Wegelius in Helsinki (1887–89)
1. Säll är den som fruktar Herren (Blessed is the Man that Feareth the Lord) 1'02
2. Svara mig Gud när jag ropar (O Lord, Give Ear to my Supplications) 1'16
3. Allt vad anda haver (Let Every Thing that hath Breath) - Version I 1'04
4. Allt vad anda haver (Let Every Thing that hath Breath) - Allt vad anda haver (Let Every Thing that hath Breath) - Version II 1'11
5. Credo in unum Deum (I Believe in One God) - Version I 0'52
6. Credo in unum Deum (I Believe in One God) - Version II 0'54
7. Gloria Deo in excelsis (Glory Be to God on High) 1'14
8. Gloria in excelsis Deo (Glory Be to God on High) 1'06
9. Kyrie eleison (Lord, Have Mercy) 1'36
10. Morgonens och aftonens portar (The Gates of Morning and Evening) 5'01
Chorales written for Albert Becker in Berlin (1889–90)
11. Der König träumte (The King Saw a Dream) 3'08
12. Der Mensch ist in seinem Leben wie Gras (As for Man, his Days are as Grass) 1'46
13. Dies ist der Tag des Herren (This is the Day which the Lord Hath Made) 1'52
14. Sende dein Licht und deine Wahrheit (O Send out thy Light and thy Truth) 0'47
15. Ich gehe hinein zum Altar des Gottes (Then Will I Go unto the Altar of God) 0'51
16. Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele (Why art thou Cast Down, O my soul?) 0'59
17. Gelobet sei dem Herrn (May the Lord be Praised) 0'31
18. Halleluja, Halleluja (Alleluia, Alleluia) 1'45
19. Halleluja! Amen 0'34
20. Die Wasser sahen dich (The Waters Saw Thee) 2'45
21. Die Toten werden dich, Herr, nicht loben (The Dead Praise Not the Lord) 1'07
22. [Gott] Sei mir gnädig (Be Merciful unto Me) - Version I 1'41
23. [Gott] Sei mir gnädig (Be Merciful unto Me) - Version II 1'31
24. Er ist unser Herrscher (He is our Sovereign) - Version I 2'51
25. Er ist unser Herrscher (He is our Sovereign) - Version II 2'42
26. Er ist unser Herrscher (He is our Sovereign) - Version III 2'32
27. Herr Gott, mein Heiland (O Lord God of my Salvation) - Version I 1'05
28. Herr Gott, mein Heiland (O Lord God of my Salvation) - Version II 0'51
29. Herr Gott, mein Heiland (O Lord God of my Salvation) - Version III 3'22
30. Herr Gott, mein Heiland (O Lord God of my Salvation) - Version IV 3'12
31. Ich will deines Namens gedenken (I Will Make Thy Name to be Remembered) 3'16
32. Mein Herr, ich rufe dich an (My Lord, I Call Upon You) - Version I 2'26
33. Mein Herr, ich rufe dich an (My Lord, I Call Upon You) - Version II 2'37
34. Herr, du bist ein Fels (Lord, You are a Rock) 2'00
CD 6:
Cantata for the University Graduation Ceremonies of 1897, JS106
1. I. Me nuoriso Suomen (We, the Youth of Finland) 3'11
2. II. Veno kupliksi vesille (A Boat Bobbing in the Water) 1'56
3. III. Tää valon nuori vartiasto (These Young Guardians of Light) 2'18
4. IV. Soma on tieto siemeniksi (Sweet is the Knowledge that Bears Fruit) 2'26
5. V. Hei tointa tarmosaapa tarvitaan (Take Heed, Hard Work is Needed) 2'02
6. VI. …hylyksi jouda (…to Become a Wreck) (fragment) 0'40
7. VII. Oi toivo, toivo, sä lietomieli (O Hope, Hope, You Dreamer) 1'24
8. VIII. Montapa elon merellä (Many on the Sea of Life) 3'38
9. IX. …Suvi nyt on Suomessa (…Now it is Summer in Finland) (fragment) 1'05
10. X. Soi kiitokseksi Luojan (We Praise Thee, our Creator) 5'42
11. XI. Yksin on elo iloton (Alone, Life is Cheerless) 2'16
12. XII. Oi Lempi, sun valtas ääretön on (O Love, Your Realm is Limitless) 4'44
13. XIII. Kuin virta vuolas (As the Swift Current) 2'45
14. XIV. Sitä kuusta kuuleminen (Listen to the Spruce Tree) 4'54
Hymn (Natus in curas), Op.21
15. Original version (1896) 3'55
Carminalia, JS51b - Version for two-part female choir (SA) and organ
16. I. Ecce novum gaudium (Behold a New Joy) 1'16
17. II. Angelus emittitur (An Angel is Sent Out) 0'34
18. III. In stadio laboris (In Athletic Strife) 0'48
Isänmaalle (To the Fatherland), JS98b
19. Original version for male voice choir (1899) 1'47
Athenarnes sång (Song of the Athenians), Op.31 No.3
20. Version for boys’ and mens’ voices a cappella (1899) 2'04
Impromptu, Op.19 (1902)
21. Original version for female choir and piano 5'19
Har du mod? (Have You Courage?), Op.31 No.2
22. Original version for male voice choir and piano (1904) 1'35
Ej med klagan (Not with Lamentation), JS69
23. Version for mixed choir with later corrections (bars 6–8, 14) 1'28
Nejden andas (The Landscape Breathes) from Op.30
24. Version for children’s choir with first ending 0'38
Till havs, Op.84 No.5 (To Sea)
25. Preliminary version (1917) 1'59
Giv mig ej glans, ej guld, ej prakt (Give me no Splendour, Gold or Pomp)
26. Version for three-part boys’ choir 2'37
27. Version for female choir [SSAA] and soprano 2'23
28. Version for female choir [SMA] and soprano 2'18
Suur’ olet, Herra (You are Great, O Lord), JS58b
29. Version for male voice choir and organ 3'06
Finlandia Hymn from Op.26
30. Version for male choir voice choir 2'02
31. Version in A flat major for mixed choir 2'08
Gosskör från Lilla Akademien, boys' choir
Helsingfors gosskör, Ekenäs gosskör, Minervaskolans musikklasskör, boys' choir
Helena Juntunen, soprano
Johanna Rusanen, soprano
Sirpa Lilius, soprano
Monica Groop, mezzo-soprano
Tom Nyman, tenor
Tuomas Katajala, tenor
Mika Pohjonen, tenor
Jorma Hynninen, baritone
Raimo Laukka, baritone
Sauli Tiilikainen, baritone
Juhani Hapuli, percussion
Ari-Pekka Mäenpää, percussion
Folke Gräsbeck, piano
Gustav Djupsjöbacka, piano
Ilmo Ranta, piano
Harri Viitanen, harmonium
Kaj-Erik Gustafsson, organ
YL Male Voice Choir, choir
Jubilate Choir, choir
Orphei Drängar, choir
Akademiska Sångföreningen, choir
Florakören, choir
Dominante Choir, choir
Ulf Langbacka, conductor
Seppo Murto, conductor
Henrik Wikström, conductor
Matti Hyökki, conductor
David Lundblad, conductor
Astrid Riska, conductor
Robert Sund, conductor