![]() ![]() Instead of a modulation into the dominant (B major) as in standard sonata form, the second theme is in C sharp minor, and it forms a triplet-like section of its own. The movement starts melodically and has much of the sweetness of salon music. The second suite is more of a virtuoso piece than the previous one, a realisation of Sibelius's dreams of being a violinist.ġst movement (Allegro molto moderato). The most memorable movements of this work (which is in six movements) are the third movement, Andantino, which is a real pearl of tunefulness, and the final movement, Quasi presto, which impresses with its violinistic bravura. The mazurka triplets of the finale are playful and lighthearted, with the exception of the transitory darkening (the shooting star). The subsidiary sequences in A major and F major (Più vivo) have bright dance rhythms.3rd movement (Vivace).ģrd movement (Vivace). A Dorian melody is accompanied by piano notes which resemble the twanging of a kantele. In the violin part melodiousness and virtuosity are successfully joined together.Ģnd movement (Andante). For the piano in particular Sibelius writes brilliant arpeggios and octaves. Its keys and melodic figures (triplets) are influenced by Grieg. Finally the atmosphere becomes gloomy and grand (the shooting star!) and also their playing becomes joyful."ġst movement. They are surprised but continue with their games, but they cannot play as freely as before, since everybody has become more serious. People are out on a meadow, celebrating Midsummer Eve, singing and playing. "The 1st movement in 2/4 F major is vigorous and daring, and also sombre, with some splendid episodes the 2nd movement in A minor is Finnish and melancholy in it a true Finnish girl is weeping in the A string next a few country boys perform a Finnish dance and try to coax the girl to smile, but she keeps singing with even more feeling and wistfulness than before the 3rd movement 3/8 in F major is fresh and spirited and dreamy. Interestingly enough, the work has a detailed programme, which Sibelius revealed in a letter to Uncle Pehr (6th July1889): The sonata is an impressive work which makes heavy demands on both instruments. This work contains some of the earliest signs of maturity in the young genius, who was now finishing his basic school studies. The architecture of the work is classical, and only the ordering of the key signatures is original: the first two movements are in A minor, the third movement, a minuet, is in B minor, and the final rondo is in D major. This was his first proper work for violin and piano. In addition to small pieces they include two sonatas and two suites. During his student years in Helsinki, Berlin and Vienna (1885-91) Sibelius wrote a total of 40 works for his own instrument. The first works for violin and piano came into existence in the mid-1880s, some of them already before the move to Helsinki in 1885. ![]() Sibelius probably wrote his first compositions around 1881, though most of them have not survived, with the exception of Vattendroppar (Raindrops) (1881?) for violin and cello, and the duo in C major (Adagio 1881-82) for two violins.Įarly works for violin without opus number They played in summer resorts too, and these activities inevitably led to composing, with a view to creating a repertoire. The young Sibelius made music with his brother and sister (Linda played the piano and Christian the cello, so they made up a family trio) and with friends in Hämeenlinna. During the ten years that followed it was my dearest wish, the loftiest goal of my ambition, to become a great violin virtuoso." Sibelius himself said later, "The violin took possession of me. ![]() Several such letters have survived from the years after he started his studies. He sometimes wrote letters to Uncle Pehr asking him for violin strings. Before that Uncle Pehr from Turku gave him a new violin. However, it was not until the autumn of 1881 that Janne began to attend regular violin lessons, as a pupil of Gustaf Levander, a bandmaster. To begin with he used techniques which he probably developed himself. When he came to play the violin, too, Janne for a long time favoured free improvisation. Sibelius's first instrument was the piano, and at the age of five he tried to pick out notes and chords on it. ![]()
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