Klassiskmus - I think I see what you mean. The use of staccato gives a sort of dance-like feel to a very reserved and moderate tempo. I would say that what makes a performance like this delightful isn't any theory, or use of staccato markings, etc., but rather effective interpretation by the conductor and players.
Sibelius marked this movement as "Andantino con moto, quasi allegretto". That says a lot right there.
I'm down with tasogare82 - playing this faster could easily ruin it.
@Klassiskmus I think Sibelius was wise to pepper this movement with staccato indications (I'm assuming he did because I haven't read the score). Imagine how bleakly uniform and plodding the winds and strings would have sounded if he chose a more legato approach. Is there some sort of music theory for the relationship of note duration to tempo? At first blush, it seems that an appropriate dose of staccato can add a bit of "briskness" to an otherwise slower tempo.
It's such a beautiful and simple piece that is bewitched by the chord variation in e.g. 3:16.
The melodic line from 1:50 is used also in "En Saga" - and probably other Sibelius works? The entire mvt is so wonderfully "sibelian", the staccato sense also reminding of Symphony no. 5 2nd mvt.
Love this work,especially this movement!
Grew up hearing my sister play it in orchestra. She plays flute.
sirMEGADACTYL 1 month ago
Klassiskmus - I think I see what you mean. The use of staccato gives a sort of dance-like feel to a very reserved and moderate tempo. I would say that what makes a performance like this delightful isn't any theory, or use of staccato markings, etc., but rather effective interpretation by the conductor and players.
Sibelius marked this movement as "Andantino con moto, quasi allegretto". That says a lot right there.
I'm down with tasogare82 - playing this faster could easily ruin it.
richxx4 2 months ago
@Klassiskmus I think Sibelius was wise to pepper this movement with staccato indications (I'm assuming he did because I haven't read the score). Imagine how bleakly uniform and plodding the winds and strings would have sounded if he chose a more legato approach. Is there some sort of music theory for the relationship of note duration to tempo? At first blush, it seems that an appropriate dose of staccato can add a bit of "briskness" to an otherwise slower tempo.
BrucknerMotet 2 months ago
It's only as good as this at the right tempo.. This one is perfect. Faster versions lose a lot of the magic, I find.
tasogare82 2 months ago
added to the likes, of which there are far too few
JFKWT 6 months ago
It's such a beautiful and simple piece that is bewitched by the chord variation in e.g. 3:16.
The melodic line from 1:50 is used also in "En Saga" - and probably other Sibelius works? The entire mvt is so wonderfully "sibelian", the staccato sense also reminding of Symphony no. 5 2nd mvt.
Klassiskmus 6 months ago
Why don't we hear this more often? Incredible.
elainebmack 10 months ago
this is so beautiful. I'm obsessed. I can't believe its not played more often
bingi111 1 year ago