Michael Holmes conducts Sibelius 7th Symphony (Part 1)

[youtubister]

Ah, Sibelius. Always. Fine performance. And nice images too.

[onaqskosata]

A beautiful performance!!!! Makes me sad that I couldn't see it live!

Greetings from Bulgaria

[msholmes]

@onaqskosata That's very kind of you. It was an unforgettable performance, and highlight of my conducting career.

[onaqskosata]

Unfortunatelly the Varna Philharmonic is not at the same professional level as it used to be, because it's so underpaid and the musicians don't care about the quality of the performance anymore. Besides that, this kind of music is not being played in here, because most people don't understand nordic culture and music. Not a good situation at all...

[msholmes]

@onaqskosata I thought that the combination of the opera and the Filharmonia would make the quality higher. I heard that they combined shortly after I was there. I wrote an article about Sibelius's music in Eastern Europe. Would you like me to send it to you?

[onaqskosata]

yes, thank you. That would be very interesting for me.

[spacepatrolman]

@onaqskosata aurora borealis at 2:14  must be inside the artic circle

[workingsheepdogbte]

Lovely sensitive performance - is it available on CD?

[erikstijnen]

Absolutely fantastic performance. Great build up to the climax.

[simonroyboswell]

The placid, thoughtful introduction sets the mood, drawing our attention to the underlying textures even as Holmes liberates the loveliness of each solo instrumental line. An experienced early-music specialist, he dares adopt a slow tempo for the long string counterpoint 2'10" & reveals the serenity of the Palestrina ideal that here so clearly inspired Sibelius. This leads convincingly into the trombone theme 5'37": still tranquil though not without tension where appropriate 6'08">7'07" [cont]

[jeherbers]

What a beautiful piece - so evocative and moving.  I've wanted to visit for a long time. Now I also want to hear more Sibelius.

[msholmes]

I hope you got a chance to see Part III, which is the ultimate culmination. See the first video response above.

[SteveHubbleHugger]

Very moving interpretation. The passion for the country and the music really comes out. I am not that familiar with this work, but this was an inspiring introduction! The still images add a lot to the experience of listening.

[msholmes]

The images of Koli mountain are very important to me personally. Sibelius's visited this place during both his honeymoon in 1892 and in 1909 when he was writing his 4th Symphony. So many Finns at the time considered it a sacred place, mainly due to the pagan Kalevala sagas. I have been there, and can say that I have "heard the wind."

[kleucker]

Wow, Michael, it's breathtaking. What a beautiful performance! I love your tempi - so perfect! Of course, the video pictures are outstanding, but oh, how the music sings. Brilliant!

- Wally Kleucker

[msholmes]

Thanks Wally! Coming from you, a person who lived in Finland and studied with Sibelius's most famous student (Rautavaara), this obviously means a lot.

[dclk5]

Absolutely beautiful interpretation. I have heard this piece many times, but never so sensitively done! Amazing! And what gorgeous pictures of Finland. Lovely!

[msholmes]

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