Karelia Suite, Op. 11

The first significant success for Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), KARELIA MUSIC was commissioned for a lottery sponsored by the Viipuri Students' Association to foster education in Vyborg Province.  Its first performance on November 13 at the Imperial Alexander University in Helsinki could scarcely be heard due to the rowdy and restless behavior of the audience.  Ten days later, Sibelius conducted the overture, and three movements which he later developed into the KARELIA SUITE, Op. 11.  The Intermezzo enshrines the courage of the Karelian people who stood up against their Lithuanian oppressors, followed by a somber and dignified Ballade based on a Karelian folk melody.  The Alla Marcia, a brisk and sunny march, brings the work to a rousing conclusion. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2(1st dEH).2.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3-4): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set). Reprint edition.