Nhạc

Jean Sibelius Concerto for Violin in D minor

A few words

The only concerto Sibelius has ever written for Violin. It was composed in 1904 during the era, so called Russification of Finland. It's in D minor and just like other master pieces in D minor such as Beethoven 9; Js Bach Chaconne; Mozart Requiem;..Sibelius has delivered a powerful message about the struggle and the seem-to-be-never-ending endurance of his people under the control of the more powerful neighbour.

Throughout Finland Sibelius is venerated as music patriot. Before him most Finnish music was really a by product of Swedish or German culture composed by either Swedish born or German culture. He spent most of his childhood living in the wood by the lake and later life in the country house in Järvenpää . It's not unreasonable to say that His music is as pure as his parentage and as Neville Marriner wrote "No great national composer had the roots of his art more deeply embedded in the soil of his country than Johan Julius Christian Sibelius"

The violin tremblingly initiate the first movement in D minor with a sad and anxious melody, It dominates the musical scene on a backdrop of gently pulsating strings which eventually engages the whole orchestra and dramatically increases in intensity, At 4:54The Orchestra takes over the musical scene with a sweeping tempo. I'm sure fans of the TV series Game of Thrones find it familiar. It's understandable that the piece has a war like quality that evokes a battlefield. The initial theme is then repeated before the cold, dark and depressing 2nd movement in B flat Major. Indeed the war like quality of the piece is more obvious in the third movement in D which is described as a "Polonaise for polar bears" .

Is the concerto indeed Sibelius outcry to fight for freedom and independence of his beloved country? I don't know and i don't really care. But it would be a surprise if a man being referred to as a music patriot, living in the darkest era of his country did not reflect his patriotism in his music.

Just like my country Finland Shares the same geographical difficulties resulting in the constant threat of the more powerful neighbour. But her people have managed to free her from "Finlandization" and gained the present state of independence. Finland now is one of the countries with a highest GDP per Capita and with "the world's most extensive welfare systems, one that guarantees decent living conditions for all residents , Finns and non-citizens" (Wikipedia).

Thinking of such a miraculous achievement has become a beautiful yet painful dream for us all, indeed.