Oulu Symphony Orchestra - Pictures from Finland - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Following their successful album Overtures from Finland (CHSA 5336) Rumon Gamba conducts the Oulu Symphony Orchestra in another programme of works from their native land. The album takes it's title from Selim Palmgren's four movement suite, which was written in 1904 and are richly atmospheric character pieces celebrating the changing seasons. Several of the works here take inspiration from the natural world, not least Sibelius' Kurkikohtaus (Scene with Cranes), originally composed as incidental music for a play by his brother-in-law, Arvid Jarnefelt. Robert Kajanus is often considered the father of Finnish music. As a young man, Kajanus was one of the standard bearers in the drive for Finnish independence, and he developed a keen artistic interest in Finnish folklore and vernacular traditions. His second Finnish Rhapsody (Suomalainen rapsodia), Op. 8, dates from 1886 and is the oldest work here. The album also features works by two other key Finnish composers Vaino Raitio and Leevi Madetoja - a native of Oulu. Taken as a whole, the album presents it's own fascinating picture of Finnish Orchestral Music. Album Tracks 1. Aus Finnland, Op. 24~I. Frühlingsträume (Dreams in Spring). Sehr breit - Largamente - Tranquillo 2. Aus Finnland, Op. 24~II. Menuett im Volkston (Minuet in Popular Style). In tempo di minuetto (un poco mosso) - Trio - Minuetto da capo al Fine mit Wiederholung 3. Aus Finnland, Op. 24~III. Tanz der fallenden Blätter (Dance of the Falling Leaves). Molto moderato - Un poco più mosso - L’istesso tempo - Movimento di valse (un poco mosso) - Tempo I 4. Aus Finnland, Op. 24~IV. Schlittenfahrt (Sleigh Ride). Alla marcia. Allegro energico - Pochissimo più tranquillo - Tempo I - Brioso assai - Trionfante 5. Suite pastorale, Op. 34 (Pastoraalisarja orkesterille / Pastoral Suite for Orchestra) Orchestration of Suite for Piano~I. Aamu (Morning). Andant