Hi everybody!

[mc ukrneal]

Welcome and enjoy yourself. I got the Essential Sibelius, which means your Sibelius and my Sibelius are essentially the same!

[North Star]

Ooops! apologies for the confusion-and you have a very nice nickname! My favourite tone poems are Pohjola's Daughter and Tapiola. Give a chance to The Wood Nymph! The poem of V. Rydberg that has inspired it is extraordinary too. And multiple numbers are for collectors, not so for listeners! And I mean to listen to all my discs again and again having in mind that I'm human and not a turtle or a crow... I heard Kavakos play Sibelius Concerto live here a couple of years ago with the London SO and V. Gergiev. It is HIS concerto but the last years he tries to keep a distance from it in order to try other demanding stuff as well. A new Decca Beethoven violin sonatas cycle arrives early in 2013. But that is an other story

The underlined part I don't quite understand.
Pohjola's Daughter and Tapiola are both fantastic pieces, and The Wood Nymph, too.

Kavakos is excellent in the concerto, but I don't know whether he owns the piece - e.g. Mullova, Tetzlaff, and Zehetmair  aren't exactly bad, either (keeping the discussion to active players)

[Obradovic]

The underlined part I don't quite understand.

I mean I'll probably not live as long as a turtle or a crow: 200 years... Of course, I'll do my best but... Our time is limited and there is so much good music to enjoy and explore (among other things of course). For example talking about Finnish I prefer to buy a new Klami (by the way, the Helsinki PO/J. Storgaards CD in Ondine with Northern Lights and Kalevala Suite is thrilling, don't miss it)/Madetoja/Melartin cd than buying again and again the same staples of the repertoire. I hope I'm clear now! For Kavakos I'm partial (you can say positively prejudiced) because for years before my acquaintance with his interpretation of the Concerto which it eventually didn't disappoint me, he was hailed internationaly as the best performer receiving rave reviews everywhere. He made his name playing it around the world and that BIS chose him to play the world premiere of the original version is self-explanatory. When my father visited Helsinki in mid 90s the travel guide congratulated him for being Kavakos' compatriot! But always the determining factor is personal gusto. And your opinion has great value, Finnish as you are! 

[North Star]

I mean I'll probably not live as long as a turtle or a crow: 200 years... Of course, I'll do my best but... Our time is limited and there is so much good music to enjoy and explore (among other things of course). For example talking about Finnish I prefer to buy a new Klami (by the way, the Helsinki PO/J. Storgaards CD in Ondine with Northern Lights and Kalevala Suite is thrilling, don't miss it)/Madetoja/Melartin cd than buying again and again the same staples of the repertoire. I hope I'm clear now! For Kavakos I'm partial (you can say positively prejudiced) because for years before my acquaintance with his interpretation of the Concerto which it eventually didn't disappoint me, he was hailed internationaly as the best performer receiving rave reviews everywhere. He made his name playing it around the world and that BIS chose him to play the world premiere of the original version is self-explanatory. When my father visited Helsinki in mid 90s the travel guide congratulated him for being Kavakos' compatriot! But always the determining factor is personal gusto. And your opinion has great value, Finnish as you are!

Yes (although I don't think crows live that old - more like 5-30 years), and I certainly agree that I'd rather explore new repertoire than buy dozens of recordings of the same pieces. I know some Klami (Kalevala Suite, Pyörteitä - an unfinished ballet, Kalevi Aho has made a completion and the ballet was received it's world premiere here in Oulu last season, was absolutely splendid), and have a disc of Madetoja (Volmer & Oulu Symphony Orchestra  )
Speaking of the less famous Finnish composers - do you know Väinö Raitio? There aren't many recordings of his music available, but much can be found from Youtube or Spotify. Unlike other Finns around that time, there's a lot of French influence on the music.

I understand your fanaticism  , but I was just saying that it's not like no-one else should play the work while Kavakos is alive.
I do agree that Sibelius's music has a lot to do with the nature and the Finnish people, but I wouldn't say that a Finn automatically has a better understanding of his music. The fact that Finns hear, and seek to hear because of nationalist reasons, more of it, on the other hand, more probably does have an effect.

[Hollywood]

Thanks for your welcome! And if you could find me New Year Concert ticket...you could win my girlfriend! (not that I would gladly give her up to you but she would want to marry you!!)

I would think that  ticket to the New Year's Day concert here are easy enough to get, if you can afford it. The prices range from €350 to €4,000. Who would pay €350 for a Standing Room Only ticket when this concert is live on TV here to watch in the comfort of one's own home? That said, you won't have to loose your girlfriend in the process of getting a ticket. FYI, I am female, in case my username isn't that gender friendly.

[Obradovic]

Speaking of the less famous Finnish composers - do you know Väinö Raitio? There aren't many recordings of his music available, but much can be found from Youtube or Spotify. Unlike other Finns around that time, there's a lot of French influence on the music.

Unfortunately I know him only by name. And you're right, Klami's last unfinished ballet Whirls completed by Aho is very colourful and exciting. The french influence along with that of Scriabin's I think is prominent in Ernest Pingoud's music too. A rather tough nut to crack despite his tonal language. If I speak wrong throw me a snowball!! (I'm sure you have a lot of this stuff up there in Oulu)

[Obradovic]

Welcome and enjoy yourself. I got the Essential Sibelius, which means your Sibelius and my Sibelius are essentially the same!

Thanks for your welcome! I'm afraid the rest of your message isn't very flattering to the old Finn and may I guess that you prefer the last period of Sibelius life, the silence of Järvenpää, as the most rewarding one!!

[Obradovic]

I would think that  ticket to the New Year's Day concert here are easy enough to get, if you can afford it. The prices range from €350 to €4,000. Who would pay €350 for a Standing Room Only ticket when this concert is live on TV here to watch in the comfort of one's own home? That said, you won't have to loose your girlfriend in the process of getting a ticket. FYI, I am female, in case my username isn't that gender friendly.

Forgive me about the gender confusion but I couldn't guess! Are you sure the prices are so high? Because she tried her lot last January, applied through the VPO website and we saw that prices ranged from 90-900 EUR (roughly), unless you imply black market inquiry! Of course she wasn't drawn and I'm sure coming January we'll repeat the same story with probably the same results... But her try last January was her first ever, so she must not complain! I'm watching it in the TV the last 30 years and I don't complain too!

[North Star]

Unfortunately I know him only by name. And you're right, Klami's last unfinished ballet Whirls completed by Aho is very colourful and exciting. The french influence along with that of Scriabin's I think is prominent in Ernest Pingoud's music too. A rather tough nut to crack despite his tonal language. If I speak wrong throw me a snowball!! (I'm sure you have a lot of this stuff up there in Oulu)

There isn't that much snow yet, but I can't say that I'm well acquainted with Pingoud (although it seems you're right about him)- so I won't be needing it 

I tried to find some Pingoud on Amazon, but there's just one album, and that's OOP. Plenty of biochemistry books, though.

Just don't mess with me in March - plenty of snow by then

[Obradovic]

I tried to find some Pingoud on Amazon, but there's just one album, and that's OOP. Plenty of biochemistry books, though.

Just don't mess with me in March - plenty of snow by then

I would gladly hand you over my Pingoud cd (that one with the tone poems in Ondine) but in exchange you should arrange me a date with Kiira Korpi! Think of it, it's a real bargain! By the way I have Madetoja's Okon Fuko with the Oulu SO/Arvo Volmer on my shelves but I haven't heard it yet. This Christmas I'll do it for you! Finally, speaking about snow, in my hometown in Western Peloponese (60km from Ancient Olympia) I have had enjoyed snowfall only three times during my lifetime: 1978, 1987 and 2001!

[North Star]

I would gladly hand you over my Pingoud cd (that one with the tone poems in Ondine) but in exchange you should arrange me a date with Kiira Korpi! Think of it, it's a real bargain! By the way I have Madetoja's Okon Fuko with the Oulu SO/Arvo Volmer on my shelves but I haven't heard it yet. This Christmas I'll do it for you! Finally, speaking about snow, in my hometown in Western Peloponese (60km from Ancient Olympia) I have had enjoyed snowfall only three times during my lifetime: 1978, 1987 and 2001!

Yeah, I'm a Finn so I must know Kiira Korpi...
(actually, she's in the same class (uni) as my schoolmate )

Must be nice to cycle there - no ice, no snow, no slush, or any combinations of those 
I must confess that I only have one disc from Volmer & Oulu SO's Madetoja series, though - with Symphony no. 1 & others.

[mc ukrneal]

Thanks for your welcome! I'm afraid the rest of your message isn't very flattering to the old Finn and may I guess that you prefer the last period of Sibelius life, the silence of Järvenpää, as the most rewarding one!!

Ha! I was just trying to be funny. Big fail I guess!

[Obradovic]

Yeah, I'm a Finn so I must know Kiira Korpi...
(actually, she's in the same class (uni) as my schoolmate )

Must be nice to cycle there - no ice, no snow, no slush, or any combinations of those 
I must confess that I only have one disc from Volmer & Oulu SO's Madetoja series, though - with Symphony no. 1 & others.

Really, do you have access to Kiira? Splendid! Take your chances and the Pingoud cd is coming! And you're welcome down here, anytime you'd wish with your company (and Kiira of course!)

[Obradovic]

Ha! I was just trying to be funny. Big fail I guess!

Not at all! I highly appreciate good humour-much as I love Wagner I find Rossini's quips on it delightful ('Wagner is a composer who has beautiful minutes but awful quarter hours'). Cheers!

[Hollywood]

Forgive me about the gender confusion but I couldn't guess! Are you sure the prices are so high? Because she tried her lot last January, applied through the VPO website and we saw that prices ranged from 90-900 EUR (roughly), unless you imply black market inquiry! Of course she wasn't drawn and I'm sure coming January we'll repeat the same story with probably the same results... But her try last January was her first ever, so she must not complain! I'm watching it in the TV the last 30 years and I don't complain too!

These prices are listed on the Vienna Concert online ordering site. They are cheaper if you buy them direct from the Vienna Philharmonic but you pretty much need to get them almost one year in advance. This concert is so popular the tickets go on sale at the beginning of January for the following year's concert. They are sold out before you know it. I still wouldn't pay over $100 for a ticket to this concert when I can watch it free live on Austrian TV sitting comfortably on my sofa.

[North Star]

Really, do you have access to Kiira? Splendid! Take your chances and the Pingoud cd is coming! And you're welcome down here, anytime you'd wish with your company (and Kiira of course!)

No 'access', so you can hold on to that Pingoud.

[Obradovic]

I still wouldn't pay over $100 for a ticket to this concert when I can watch it free live on Austrian TV sitting comfortably on my sofa.

Agree! Last April I savoured the Vienna PO twice here in Athens playing Haydn, Brahms and Schumann, courtesy of Pappano and Thielemann paying only 19,00 EUR per concert! 19,00 not 190,00!! Of course I had to wake up 05.30 in the morning to get the tickets but... never mind, it was worth the case!