Observations placeholder
Sibelius - Symphony No. 4 - 3rd. movement
Identifier
012229
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
In 1907, Sibelius underwent a serious operation for suspected throat cancer. The impact of this brush with death has been said to have been profound and inspired works that he composed in the following years.
A description of the experience
Sibelius - Symphony No.4 - 3rd. movement
Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957)
Symphony No.4 in A minor Op.63
Swedisch Radio Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen
The Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63, is one of seven completed symphonies composed by Jean Sibelius. Written between 1910 and 1911, it was premiered in Helsinki on 3 April 1911 by the Philharmonia Society, with Sibelius conducting.
The work comprises four movements:
I. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio
II. Allegro molto vivace
III. Il tempo largo
IV. Allegro
For this work Sibelius reversed the traditional classical positions of the second and third movements, placing the slow movement as the third. He also begins the piece with a slow movement instead of the traditional fast opening movement . A typical performance lasts between 35–40 minutes. It is scored for an orchestra including 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (in Bb and A), 2 bassoons, 4 horns (in F and E), 2 trumpets (in F and E), 3 trombones, timpani, glockenspiel or/and tubular bells, and strings.