Aarre Merikanto Symphonies 1 & 3 from Alba

[Alan Howe]

Well, Symphony No.1 is indeed a gorgeous listen. You can play 'spot the influence', of course - and you'll certainly hear Wagner, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, Scriabin, etc. - but in the final anaysis you'll just enjoy a knock-out piece by a 20 year-old composer who's obviously thoroughly enjoying meeting the challenge of writing a symphony. Don't miss this one...

[vandermolen]

Another drain on my bank balance 

[vandermolen]

The second, written in memory of his brother killed in the civil war (Merikanto himself was imprisoned by the Reds) lasts over 40 minutes, but I suspect there will other premieres included.

Interesting that Madetoja's excellent Symphony No 2 was also written in memory of his brother killed in the Finnish Civil War.  I am enjoying the new Alba CD very much. It took a few listens to really appreciate the music. I found the chorale-like section in the middle of the last movement of Symphony No 1 to be very moving. I shall enjoy discovering Symphony No 2 when it is released.

[Dundonnell]

The second, written in memory of his brother killed in the civil war (Merikanto himself was imprisoned by the Reds) lasts over 40 minutes, but I suspect there will other premieres included.

Interesting that Madetoja's excellent Symphony No 2 was also written in memory of his brother killed in the Finnish Civil War.  I am enjoying the new Alba CD very much. It took a few listens to really appreciate the music. I found the chorale-like section in the middle of the last movement of Symphony No 1 to be very moving. I shall enjoy discovering Symphony No 2 when it is released.

Did you order this cd directly from the comnpany, Jeffrey? I want to buy the cd (and will do so ) but it seems to be very expensive

[BFerrell]

MDT should have it in February's releases. It cost me approx.$40.00 from Alba directly.

[vandermolen]

The second, written in memory of his brother killed in the civil war (Merikanto himself was imprisoned by the Reds) lasts over 40 minutes, but I suspect there will other premieres included.

Interesting that Madetoja's excellent Symphony No 2 was also written in memory of his brother killed in the Finnish Civil War.  I am enjoying the new Alba CD very much. It took a few listens to really appreciate the music. I found the chorale-like section in the middle of the last movement of Symphony No 1 to be very moving. I shall enjoy discovering Symphony No 2 when it is released.

Did you order this cd directly from the comnpany, Jeffrey? I want to buy the cd (and will do so ) but it seems to be very expensive

Hancock and Monks via Amazon UK Colin.  Yes, was expensive £14.99+pp but expect you'd enjoy it. It came with a 10% discount voucher from H and M for any subsequent purchase over £10.00 in the near future. No big deal but better than nothing I guess.

[DennisS]

I read this thread with interest and then downloaded both symphonies from the Downloads section.I very much liked what I heard, especially symphony no 3. I have consequently ordered the Alba disc directly from Alba and look forward to receiving it. The cost of ordering direct is a little high but I was very impressed by their professionalism - they confirmed despatch of the CD the day after I placed my order. Now it's just a question of how long it takes to reach me by post!

Dennis

[BFerrell]

Alba is very efficient. It reaches me in the USA within a week or less.

[DennisS]

Further to my previous post, I received my cd direct from Alba within days of placing my order. I am very impressed with their efficiency.  Re-the music itself, I am quite taken with Merikanto and enjoyed listening to both symphonies. I am particularly keen on the 3rd symphony, especially for the weight given to the woodwinds in this work. Both symphonies have lovely melodies and are very well orchestrated.

Cheers
Dennis

[Dundonnell]

That's very good to hear

It is really astonishing that Merikanto's symphonies have taken so long to be recorded commercially, in contrast with those by composers like Madetoja, Melartin, Klami, let alone the younger Englund, Kokkonen, Rautavaara, Sallinen and Aho.

Maybe someone will now record the Ernest Pingoud and, of course, the Merikanto 2nd

[BFerrell]

Alba will do the 2nd this year.

[Dundonnell]

Alba will do the 2nd this year.

Oh..that's very good news   Thanks for that info'

[Sicmu]

And the Merikanto 1+3 CD will become available on classiconline.com ( MP3) and Albany US in spring : save your bucks for a beer or two.

[Dundonnell]

Alba will do the 2nd this year.

Oh..that's very good news   Thanks for that info'

Oh..that's very good news   Thanks for that info'


....'info I now realise you had provided already last month My apologies for a (relatively rare) memory lapse on my part

[erato]

This disc is now on general release at the mdt.co.uk website at a more reasonable price than when ordering from Finland.