SIBELIUS, J.: Early Years (The)
Composer: Sibelius, Jean
The Early Years
Soderstrom, Elisabeth
Belkin, Boris
Conductor: Ashkenazy, Vladimir
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Television Director: Nupen, Christopher
Soprano:
Soderstrom, Elisabeth
Violinist:
Belkin, Boris
Year of Production: 1984
Playing Time: 00:52:30
Catalogue Number: NUPEN008
The films follow an artistic journey that was not an easy one. Living through the great turning point in Western music, many of Sibelius' concerns were strikingly similar to those of Schoenberg and Stravinsky. Each followed a different path, however, and it is not surprising that their reputations should be caught up in the massive shifts of fashion that characterise the turmoil of twentieth century music.
Christopher Nupen offers an intimate look at what Sibelius himself felt that he was trying to achieve. To quote Nupen: "His music has lasted and I believe that it will continue to last, whatever fashion may do...his voice is inimitable, unmistakable and for me unforgettable. My first encounters with it opened up a whole new world that remains with me."
As with Nupen's films on Respighi, Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky, the orchestra is the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy. They are joined in this film by Elisabeth Söderström and Boris Belkin.
