Sibelius - Belshazzar's Feast, Op 51 - (2/2)

Jean Sibelius' incidental music for "Belsazars Gästabud" ("Belshazzar's Feast") was composed for a play of the same name which was written by Sibelius' friend Hjalmar Procopé. The play is based upon King Belshazzar of the Old Testament book of Daniel, focusing specifically on the fifth chapter of Daniel; as an aside, a bit of trivia if you will, the play paid homage, in parts, to Oscar Wilde's "Salome".

The play was not all too well received. Due to this, critics claimed that Sibelius "wasted" good ideas on the incidental music for the play which had 21 performances between Nov. 1906 and Jan. 1907. Sibelius' incidental music for the play comprised ten pieces.

This reduced Suite for Orchestra, four movements, received its first performance, with Sibelius conducting the Orchestra of the Helsinki Philharmonic Society, in 1907.

Sibelius also transcribed the suite for piano in 1907 though that is rarely, if ever, so far as I can find, performed or recorded.

The third movement of the suite, Nocturne ("Night Music") and the fourth, Khadras dans ("Khadra's Dance"), are presented here as performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra led by Pietari Inkinen.

Enjoy!

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[billystewart4]

My thanks and pleasure Gentlemen...

Numboss, I agree about the winds. I play guitar & bass (by ear, can't read music), love piano and want to learn to play.

BUT, then there is the oboe. Can't explain, but since I first truly heard that beautiful instrument (poetic, as we speak of his work, it first struck deep within me when I first heard Sibelius' 6th, 1st mvmt) I've wanted to play that amazing instrument. Sibelius was certainly gifted with woodwinds.

So much to learn, so little time!

[jrakg]

Those who like this music should try to hear the 1932 recording conducted by Sibelius's friend Robet Kajanus. - John Austin, Australia

[Klemperer]

I own a record with the Gothenburg SO and Neeme Järvi, excellent as well. Like this recording is! I listen to Sibelius since quite some time, and for example the Symphony N°7 with Leif Segerstam (I bought 2 versions, rather different) drives me to tears. The hauntingly beautiful adagio at the beginning especially.

And I love the Belshazzar suite, like so many of his works. Can't understand why Adorno or Pierre Boulez disregarded Sibelius so much...stuck in their small world?

[vivjfriday]

Thank you for uploading this.

[jrakg]

I grew up never far away from a recording of this music conducted by Sibelius's friend Robert Kajanus. There was magic there, and there is in this New Zealand version, also. - John Austin, Australia

[schlesmail]

My sentiments exactly!

[Numboss]

Well done Billy. Another Sibelius rarity shared on YouTube. The woodwinds in this Suite are just exquisite. The flute in the third movement (Night Music) is particularly lovely.