Description
Finlandia was arranged for the Brass of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. (RCO Brass)
Finlandia, Op. 26 is a symphonic poem by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.
In order to avoid Russian censorship, Finlandia had to be performed under alternate names at various musical concerts. Titles under which the piece masqueraded were numerous, a famous example being Happy Feelings at the awakening of Finnish Spring, and A Scandinavian Choral March.
Most of the piece is taken up with rousing and turbulent music, evoking the national struggle of the Finnish people. Towards the end, a calm comes over the orchestra, and the serenely melodic Finlandia Hymn is heard. Often incorrectly cited as a traditional folk melody, the Hymn section is of Sibelius’s own creation.
The Timpani in this arrangement are optional.
Instrumentation
4 Trumpets – 4 Horns – 4 Trombones – 1 Tuba – 1 Percussion (optional)
Duration
9’30”
