Sibelius' Symphony No. 3 & Hindemith's The Four Temperaments: A Nordic-Neoclassical Pairing CD

Product Details

• UPC: 0761195102220
• Product Type: Music CD
• Brand/Label: Ondine
• Series: CRYSTAL EDITION
• MPN: ODE 1022-2
• Artists: Helsinki Festival Orchestra, Olli Mustonen (piano & conductor)
• Concertmasters (Hindemith 4-8): Tuomas Rousi (1-3), Jaakko Kuusisto (4-8)
• Composers: Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)
• Genre: Classical, Orchestral
• Style: Nordic Nationalism, Neoclassicism
• Release Year: 2003 (Recording 2003)

Overview

This Ondine Crystal Edition CD presents a compelling juxtaposition of two major 20th-century composers: Jean Sibelius and Paul Hindemith. Under the direction of acclaimed pianist and conductor Olli Mustonen, the Helsinki Festival Orchestra performs Sibelius's elegant and structurally innovative Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52. This symphony marks a turning point in Sibelius's style, moving away from the national-Romanticism of his earlier works towards a more classical, focused, and concise form.

The album is completed by Paul Hindemith’s striking The Four Temperaments, a theme and variations for piano and string orchestra. In this neoclassical work, Mustonen also takes on the demanding solo piano role, exploring the psychological states of Melancholic, Sanguine, Phlegmatic, and Choleric temperaments. This pairing is praised as "free, spontaneous, fresh and always expressive" (FonoForum, September 2003), with the Hindemith recording hailed as "the best available recording" (Répertoire, July/August 2003).

Product Features

• Format: Audio CD, SONY DADC
• Number of Discs: 1
• Total Duration: 51:53 (Approx.)
• Liner Notes: Texte en français • Deutsche Textbeilage (Texts in French and German)
• Edition: Limited Edition, Crystal Edition
• Special Note: Includes a "Sibelius 2007 Special Anniversary Offer" sticker.
• Manufacturing: Manufactured in Austria.

Interesting Facts

• Sibelius' Third: Sibelius's Symphony No. 3 is notable for its innovative three-movement structure (instead of the standard four), particularly the merging of the scherzo and finale into a seamless, triumphant conclusion. It represents a pivotal moment in his stylistic development.
• Hindemith's Temperaments: Hindemith’s The Four Temperaments was originally conceived as a ballet score but is best known as a concert work. It is a brilliant example of the composer's mature neoclassical style, using the ancient Greek concept of temperaments as a structural device for his variations.
• Olli Mustonen's Dual Role: Olli Mustonen, a celebrated Finnish musician, performs the demanding solo piano part in the Hindemith and conducts the entire album, showcasing his versatility and deep musical understanding.

Track Listing Jean Sibelius (1865–1957)

1. Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52: I. Allegro moderato (8:45)
2. Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52: II. Andantino con moto, quasi allegretto (9:06)
3. Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52: III. Moderato – Allegro (8:40)
   • (Total Time for Sibelius: 26:31)

Paul Hindemith (1895–1963)

1. The Four Temperaments – Theme and variations for piano and string orchestra: Theme (4:49)
2. The Four Temperaments – Theme and variations for piano and string orchestra: Variation I: Melancholic (5:10)
3. The Four Temperaments – Theme and variations for piano and string orchestra: Variation II: Sanguine (5:48)
4. The Four Temperaments – Theme and variations for piano and string orchestra: Variation III: Phlegmatic (4:53)
5. The Four Temperaments – Theme and variations for piano and string orchestra: Variation IV: Choleric (4:32)
   • (Total Time for Hindemith: 25:12)

Publishers

• Sibelius (1–3) Publisher: Robert Lienau
• Hindemith (4–8) Publisher: Schott Music
• Label/Copyright: 2003 Ondine Inc., Helsinki
• Manufactured in: Austria

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