I really, really like Mahler but the phrase "less is more" genuinely clicked with me after listening to Sibelius, especially the 7th. When I like I can listen to portions of other composers' symphonies, but when I listen to Sibelius I have to start from the beginning and listen to the last note.
This symphony has helped me cope with the loss of my brother. Even though he wasn't a classical buff, I feel him (or something angelic) when the trombones do that call around 5-1/2 minutes and again at 19 minutes. And it's not a sad connection, it's a conveyance that everything's all right.
Today is Finland's 106th independence day. Sibelius left a great legacy to the art and culture of this country. It is unfortunate that very few Finns know how to appreciate it anymore. And it's not even about patriotism, it's about great music.
Lizzie Wadsworth I agree with that 100 percent. After listening to this symphony all the other symphonies that I’ve enjoyed and are masterpieces I find to be a bit drawn out and too long which almost makes them bland to me.
The buildup of musical material in the first movement is so majestic and uplifting. It is like Sibelius says ''Do not worry, there are bigger things in life, things worth living for, those that redeem us and make us enjoy the majesty of nature''.
@@alejandrosotomartin9720 Yeah but you can kind of divide it into sections that are kind of like symphonic mvts which are connected by the trombone theme
@@karlkartoffel294 That is close to a symphonic poem than a "normal" symphony in three or four movements. Still close to Tapiola or the symphonic poems by Liszt or Richard Strauss than to a average symphonic form.
I really love Sibelius -- he's one of my most favorite composers. But I gotta comment on the video here. Way back in 1976, I was in the US Army and stationed at Ft. Wainright, Alaska, which is just outside of Fairbanks. We were up there for winter war games, stationed TDY for a month. I had a gravy gig while I was up there. I drove the shuttle "bus," which made hourly trips from the barracks to the NCO club, until it closed, which I think was midnight. This "bus" was actually a Deuce-and-a-half 10-wheeler with six-wheel drive and with an arctic personnel carrier module on the back. It was insulated and had its own heater. But up front where I was, there was no heater, so I was driving around in temps on average of -30F. I got used to it. Anyway, because I was doing the night thing I got lucky and was outside the barracks when an Aurora Borialis show started up and it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Sure I'd seen photos of the Aurora Borialis taken from hundreds of miles south of where they were occurring, and they just looked like some sort of diaphanous, shimmering, multicolored sheets hovering in the sky. Interesting, but nothing special. Well, yeah, but I'd never been directly under them when they were getting all fired up, either. This video has sections showing the AB that are very similar to what I experienced on only a single night in January, 1976. That was the only night during my month's stay where there was an AB display. But it was simply magnificent. The display was very bright and appeared to be almost pure white with some light color fringing on the edges. I suspect that, with a strong AB display such as the one I saw, the closer you get to it, the more intensely bright it becomes, thus the color is washed out. In other words, if I were viewing this display from, say, Anchorage, I would see it as being much more colorful. The view was just spectacular. I was in awe, captivated by the event that lasted most of the night. These thick sheets of light would race from one horizon to the next in a fraction of a second, directly overhead. Twisting and writhing like heavenly serpents as they shot across the sky. Sometimes they would come together and braid themselves into a continuous intertwining, weaving, racing rope of light. I will remember that night for as long as I live. Thanks for this video. It's the closest I've seen to what I actually experienced that night.
Michael McBroom In amongst all the crap and the rage and the trolling I've seen some beautiful posts on RUclips; and that's up there with the best of them.
Michael McBroom I agree with Steve Payne. Excellent post of genuine love and appreciation for what is beautiful. I am very happy to read comments such as this. I have seen some beautiful aspects of Jehovah's marvels (Psalm 104:24) but I have yet to see the AB. One day hopefully. But just loved reading about your experience and explanation of close quarters to the phenomenon. Thanks
I agree with you. It's so terribly grotesque that in the middle of a very sensitive musical event, if you listen to a historical recording with a log recording volume, the commercial suddenly crashes with such a high volume that I'm afraid of getting tinnitus, I really think so! RUclips force one to obtain paid membership. After all, music is very important part of my life and I prioritize it, then ca 10 € are not so much wen RUclips has so much musik. But if you do not listen so often RUclips, I understand you.
@@mattirenvall4782 Sibeliuksen musiikin tekijänoikeudet raukeaa tällä vuosikymmenellä ja sen jälkeen mainoksia ei pitäisi enää olla. Finlandia hymnistä voisi periaatteessa silloin tulla suomen kansallislaulu, se kun sattuu olemaan monen patriootin fantasia.
This entire symphony is one, massive melodic statement separated into a series of flowing episodes. 11:24 just lifts me up and takes me where it needs to go. Every time.
I went to a NyPhil performance of Sibelius's second symphony and went to a pre-performance talk. The speaker, a celebrated musicologist, mentioned that the second symphony is probably Sibelius's most popular symphony, but that in his opinion the seventh symphony is one of the best symphonies ever written.
I've listened to all of the symphonies of the classical and romantic repertory, and of the modern, and the late baroque, and this is the strongest one of them all. It's completely free of the artifice of the classical and romantic symphonic style. It's what a symphony truly should be and that is a personal statement. It is the most personal work from any artist I've ever heard in my entire life.
Sibelius is one of the most recognizable and personal composers of all time, if not the most personal composer of all time. Out of his symphonies i'd say the second and the fifth are probably objectively the best but every symphony out of the seven has its own charm which is very unique.
The Greatest symphony ever made. It's one block of an everlasting melody that describes the organic world of life. People mention his 2nd or 5th as his greatest. They have wonderful melodies and interesting form development, but it is far more difficult composing a piece such as the 7th without any very catchy tunes. It is but one full stream of consciousness he is describing with NO BREAKS. There is no sign that there is a break between his thoughts. It is one thought without any break for the whole duration of this piece, always expansive like life itself. No other symphony comes close to describing that.
@@noriemeha You feel that every symphony of his is a unique take on the world! Just like Beethoven who had symphonies that were very different from one another. You can recognize Dvorak or Tchaikovsky's symphonies a lot easier. There is this signature mark, but as for Sibelius.... you can recognize his use of woodwinds and bass chords, but the emotions conveyed are different.
Wagner's operas had no arias, but "endless melody". This what Sebelius has accomplished here to extradordinary effect. Being his last symphony, I'm inclined to say that he "poured himself out" here. And there was no more. Just as Wagner did with Parsifal.
I continue to be awed by the Sibelius power. IMHO, Mahler and Sibelius are the greatest composers of the 20th century. Both have garnered a cosmic grasp of what music can convey at the most primal levels.
I totally agree with you. Each composer is as different as night and day but no other composers in history were able to translate human emotion into the realm of sound as these two composers.
Here I have been sitting the past half-hour, reading the wikipedia entry on Sibelius and just now discovered the gorgeous video with the music. Now, I'll have to go back to enjoy it all over again!!! Hooray for screwups, LOL.
I've just listened to this symphony for the first time. It's really gorgeous! What a profound composition speaking to the spirit in the most wonderful language: the music! The part at 15:00 when it makes like a recalling of his 3rd symphony is really touching. This is a great choice for finishing the year 2015 on this 31st December. Happy New Year to everyone and let's celebrate the Sibelius music 150 years after his birth!!!
Thanks to RUclips I’m discovering the works of several composers I’d never heard of. But I have to say, from time to time I have to return to the tried and tested great works, such as this one!
Wow...and to think that I am listening to his last symphony, after having listened to the first six, and all in an afternoon/evening...such as which I have never done before.... And all for the first time, of course...I had to listen to his fifth three times.... I've never had this experience with any other composer, but then...nearly all of the symphonies run less than half an hour, still though....THANK YOU!!!....
+james alden I did the same: Listening from half past 2 till 8 O'Çlock. Completely overwhelmed by this completely individual and original set of Symphonies and I loved them all...
+greatclassicrecords I think that what the so-called problem is, is that they're so brief, which is why one can listen to them all...in practically in one sitting, but then...there's something else about them that I can't quite put my finger, as it were, on....THANK YOU!!!...
I AGREE SIBELIUS IS WONDERFUL IVE HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO HAVE DISCOVERED HIS MUSIC EARLY ON IN LIFE AND AM STILL SO TOTALLY MOVED BY ITS POWER MAJESTY AND BEAUTY
Musically, this is the swelling of primeval magma into the rock sculptures of Scafell and the bitter cold of an ice-storm sweeping over a high col at Bowfell. Those doom laden trombones with their prophesies of a world's end and the final abrupt cadence from dominant to a despairing tonic make this symphony a precious and unique gem. Listen to it a hundred times and try to imagine what Sibelius was seeing in his mind's eye. It is more than music; it is a prophesy.
***** Thankyou, Richard, for your kind remarks. The 7th Symphony was written in 1924, the year of my birth, so that, indeed, makes me "old" but not necessarily mad or conceived out of wedlock. "Prophesises a brave future" Really? An obscene world war was a near memory and the next war was already fermenting in the mind of Hitler. Anyway, it appears that we both enjoy the music in our own ways. Fin!
***** John is not alone: Here's conductor Simon Rattle: "It’s the most depressed C major in all of musical literature. There’s no other piece that ends in C major where you feel it’s the end of the world. Look at how carefully he orchestrates is so that it doesn’t sound like a victory, but as something you reach on the edge of death. You finally reach C major - and it’s over"
We all hear, think, and feel differently. To me the Sibelius 7th is an undoubted affirmation. No, the ending is not the sunny, glorious, triumphant C-major we are used to. It is a solemn, eternal, transcendent C-major. When I listen to this symphony I hear a life. Sometimes vigorous, sometimes failing, sometimes playful. In the end wracked with trials and tribulations, and FEAR, but ultimately finding peace. The final cadence, which Rattle described as "almost like a scream", is the soul leaving the body. So it IS an end, a profoundly final end, but is the inevitable culmination of everything that came before so is spiritually uplifting. It is beyond "victory".
***** Wow, that's no way to address someone who just gave a great review of music. One can imagine a world's end in 'earthly nature', while beautiful it is also self-consuming.
Is one movement enough to be an entire symphony? This one is, it happens to be one of the most emotional symphonies ever. This music sound primal and definitive.
Who can disagree that the very best part of this symphony is from 21:27 to the end? (remembering of course that one must hear the entire piece to derive maximal satisfaction from this closing bit).
If I were an oncologist, and a patient of mine approached me claiming that his or her carcinoma spontaneously vanished after listening to Sibelius's 7th symphony, I would have completely believed it! this symphony is powerful!
Sibelius es uno de los grandes.Junto a Mahler y Bruckner Creo que toda su música es sobre su Finlandia.Esta séptima junto a la sexta y porque no la primera son las mejores.Yo vivo en Argentina y como Sibelius vinimos en fin del mundo.Gracias.
I think the best description I’ve heard of this symphony came from Sibelius himself (if I’m remembering correctly): he said that “the 7th is like a churning river that gains momentum with sometimes unexplainable and mysterious forces”
What a majestic composition! This is the pinnacle of Sibelius' works. What a performance. This has to be my # 1 Sibelius Seventh followed by Lorin Maazel and the Vienna Philharmonic.
Just thinking of this piece of music brings tears to my eyes. That scale at around 5:10 is one of the most exquisite, transcendent experiences I will ever have in my life
MW thank you for sharing your experience of wonder. As I will greet 90 in a few weeks, I doubt I will actually see the Aurora but through your generous recollections of your excited experience I feel as if I were there. Thank you again, and thank you for your service.
Nigel makes a fine suggestion, but rather invest those few coins in an ad free subscription and enjoy no advertisements at all once and for all! They were driving me nuts. Suddenly anger shattered my mood every time. Believe me when I say it will be the best decision you will ever make.
Wonderful musical evocation of a bright, fresh and clean new world for a caring humanity. The perpetual cold forces us to bundle close together and touch each other for warmth and that reminds us of who we really are and why.
I keep listening to it in awe, every week, every month, Karajan's version. If they made me choose between Wagner and Sibelius I wouldn't hesitate. Oftentimes, whilst listening to certain parts of this symphony I say to myself...If I were to choose between discarding the bulk of western music and this...I'll keep the seventh...
Una soberbia interpretación de la Séptima, la más perfecta que conozco de una de mis sinfonías favoritas, para la isla desierta; tiempo justo, sentimiento preciso y un apasionado final (además de ese delicioso pasaje que siempre me ha recordado música española 13:17).Y con imágenes apropiadas, aunque la música sibeliana no las necesita. A superb interpretation of the Seventh, the most perfect I know of one of my favorite symphonies, for the desert island; Just time, precise feeling and a passionate ending (in addition to that delicious passage that has always reminded me of Spanish music 13:17). And with appropriate images, although Sibelian music does not need them.
Even in his (Karajan) younger days he conducted Sibelius. When he conducted (after 2nd WW) Sibelius Symphonies in Finnland, Sibelius himself attended the concert and praise him.
GREAT idea to insert an ad break right at the climax of the symphony. Because who doesn’t want their transcendent listening experience interrupted by someone selling car insurance?
@@noriemeha Damn...someone got to you about Moses's "sermon" just a week before I found it. You have made me wonder though if sponsors and their "merch" was how JC pulled off the loaves and fishes trick ;-)
I will never stop until something changes in this. Putting ads like this and just interrupting is disrespectful to those who listen, the music, the composer and the performers. I'm a musician myself and I would definitely feel annoyed if while I'm performing someone comes out and goes "WANNA SELL UNUSED CLOTHING?!?!!??!!111!1!1!1!!"
ZE, One movement Symphonies are not that uncommon starting with the 20th century. This is piece among the most popular of the genre. Samuel Barber actually modeled his 1st Symphony after this piece. Such a remarkable piece, don't you think?
Sometimes, I wait for just the right opportunity to listen to a specific work and now I’m kicking myself time and again that I hadn’t listened to this ridiculously amazing personal masterpiece that Sibelius created until now. Wow, just wow. Trying to grasp an understanding and sheer meaning of what this work means and why it’s so unique.
The music used (and very effectively) at the end of Episode 10 ("World Within World") from the landmark 1973 television series "The Ascent of Man," with Jacob Bronowski, is from the last movement. That was my introduction to this extraordinary and sublime work.
I have read this comment and the many stimulating replies. What I see here with a few exception, is a hold over from a winner take all mentality so prevalent until quite recently. And extending back in time to the baroque, as well, where Bach and Handel were the winners and many other fine composers were the losers and hence deserving of oblivion (a popular phrase among critics in the past). So what do I think about Mahler, Sibelius and the serialists. Wake up this is not a political campaign, it is art. I think there is a difference or should be.
I agree- Mahler and Sibelius cannot be farther apart in their symphonic approach yet I am in awe of each composer and all of their magnificent creations. Great art and creativity is the glue that binds this greatness and it should not be a musical contest
Karajan's original recording with the Philharmonia Orchestra, from the 1950's, was the one that first introduced me to this work (wish someone would post it), and so has a special significance for me. However, I feel that the all-time greatest recording is the one by Koussevitzky with the BBC Orchestra. But it is not generally known that he recorded it with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as well. I would love to hear that rendition. And I'm still hoping that the live performance by Munch and the Boston was somehow recorded and preserved, as I only caught a portion of it. It is surprisingly, quite a good rendition, such that one would not expect from that conductor of this work.
I, too, first heard this great symphony when I was given the Karajan/Philharmonia recording as a child. If I'm not mistaken, it was an Angel LP, yes? I'm sure I still have it. You've given me the incentive to find it and listen to it again. Thank you.
Mahler around 23 minutes: "Let me introduce the woodwinds."
Sibelius: "Well, I guess that's all."
But an epic "that's all".
I really, really like Mahler but the phrase "less is more" genuinely clicked with me after listening to Sibelius, especially the 7th. When I like I can listen to portions of other composers' symphonies, but when I listen to Sibelius I have to start from the beginning and listen to the last note.
This symphony has helped me cope with the loss of my brother. Even though he wasn't a classical buff, I feel him (or something angelic) when the trombones do that call around 5-1/2 minutes and again at 19 minutes. And it's not a sad connection, it's a conveyance that everything's all right.
That trombone makes me crack up every single time, it really does feels like the warmest hug from something bigger than us
Impossibly beautiful.
Today is Finland's 106th independence day. Sibelius left a great legacy to the art and culture of this country. It is unfortunate that very few Finns know how to appreciate it anymore. And it's not even about patriotism, it's about great music.
Наследие , которое создавалось до независимости Финляндии. Значит тогда были условия для создания шедевров. Где они после??
@@elizavetadashkevich7689 Einojuhani Rautavaara is a Finnish composer of great stature, wrote beautiful works, including symphonies, listen
For me, one of the greatest symphonies ever.
For me too !
Lizzie Wadsworth I agree with that 100 percent. After listening to this symphony all the other symphonies that I’ve enjoyed and are masterpieces I find to be a bit drawn out and too long which almost makes them bland to me.
Yeah Sibelius 7, Mahler 8 and Dvořák 9
Error: LA MEJOR DE TODAS.
5:16 most awesome ascending major scale in the history of classical music
The buildup of musical material in the first movement is so majestic and uplifting. It is like Sibelius says ''Do not worry, there are bigger things in life, things worth living for, those that redeem us and make us enjoy the majesty of nature''.
Factually the whole work is just one evolving movement. Like a symphonic poem about a growing tree.
@@alejandrosotomartin9720 Yeah but you can kind of divide it into sections that are kind of like symphonic mvts which are connected by the trombone theme
@@karlkartoffel294 That is close to a symphonic poem than a "normal" symphony in three or four movements. Still close to Tapiola or the symphonic poems by Liszt or Richard Strauss than to a average symphonic form.
Sibelius 7th symphony in C major holds a special place in my heart! It is without a doubt one of the greatest symphonies ever composed!
this is just the most beautiful music i have ever heard in my life.
I really love Sibelius -- he's one of my most favorite composers. But I gotta comment on the video here. Way back in 1976, I was in the US Army and stationed at Ft. Wainright, Alaska, which is just outside of Fairbanks. We were up there for winter war games, stationed TDY for a month. I had a gravy gig while I was up there. I drove the shuttle "bus," which made hourly trips from the barracks to the NCO club, until it closed, which I think was midnight. This "bus" was actually a Deuce-and-a-half 10-wheeler with six-wheel drive and with an arctic personnel carrier module on the back. It was insulated and had its own heater. But up front where I was, there was no heater, so I was driving around in temps on average of -30F. I got used to it.
Anyway, because I was doing the night thing I got lucky and was outside the barracks when an Aurora Borialis show started up and it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Sure I'd seen photos of the Aurora Borialis taken from hundreds of miles south of where they were occurring, and they just looked like some sort of diaphanous, shimmering, multicolored sheets hovering in the sky. Interesting, but nothing special. Well, yeah, but I'd never been directly under them when they were getting all fired up, either.
This video has sections showing the AB that are very similar to what I experienced on only a single night in January, 1976. That was the only night during my month's stay where there was an AB display. But it was simply magnificent. The display was very bright and appeared to be almost pure white with some light color fringing on the edges. I suspect that, with a strong AB display such as the one I saw, the closer you get to it, the more intensely bright it becomes, thus the color is washed out. In other words, if I were viewing this display from, say, Anchorage, I would see it as being much more colorful.
The view was just spectacular. I was in awe, captivated by the event that lasted most of the night. These thick sheets of light would race from one horizon to the next in a fraction of a second, directly overhead. Twisting and writhing like heavenly serpents as they shot across the sky. Sometimes they would come together and braid themselves into a continuous intertwining, weaving, racing rope of light.
I will remember that night for as long as I live. Thanks for this video. It's the closest I've seen to what I actually experienced that night.
Michael McBroom In amongst all the crap and the rage and the trolling I've seen some beautiful posts on RUclips; and that's up there with the best of them.
Michael McBroom I agree with Steve Payne. Excellent post of genuine love and appreciation for what is beautiful. I am very happy to read comments such as this. I have seen some beautiful aspects of Jehovah's marvels (Psalm 104:24) but I have yet to see the AB. One day hopefully. But just loved reading about your experience and explanation of close quarters to the phenomenon. Thanks
Thanks for sharing this.
At the time, did you imagine you'd be posting your experience where all the world could see it?
Violin concerto 5
Michael McBroom
A mystic experience.
Wow! First time I've listened to Sibelius....totally blown away!
When I was in College, I couldn't get enough of Sibelius.
Tarik Ghiradella lol I'm in college and I can't get enough of Sibelius!
That's Awesome digitallyzer0. Where are you studying?
Ne neither !
I am in college, and this is the second time I am listening to Sibelius.
Ads should be banned from classical music!
I agree with you. It's so terribly grotesque that in the middle of a very sensitive musical event, if you listen to a historical recording with a log recording volume, the commercial suddenly crashes with such a high volume that I'm afraid of getting tinnitus, I really think so! RUclips force one to obtain paid membership. After all, music is very important part of my life and I prioritize it, then ca 10 € are not so much wen RUclips has so much musik. But if you do not listen so often RUclips, I understand you.
get adblocker. I use Adblock Plus, it's safe and free and lets me listen to masterpieces undisturbed
Get Premium!
@@mattirenvall4782
Sibeliuksen musiikin tekijänoikeudet raukeaa tällä vuosikymmenellä ja sen jälkeen mainoksia ei pitäisi enää olla. Finlandia hymnistä voisi periaatteessa silloin tulla suomen kansallislaulu, se kun sattuu olemaan monen patriootin fantasia.
@@peteowen3539 are you stupid? Use adblockplus
Ahh the melodies! Ahh the textures!!! Ahhhhh the pacing!!! Ahhhh the colours!!!! *eargasms*
This entire symphony is one, massive melodic statement separated into a series of flowing episodes. 11:24 just lifts me up and takes me where it needs to go. Every time.
Ahhh!!!!!
Good, just remember that there are other beauties too.
2:25 to about 6:00 is my favorite part. So beautiful
Definitely an exquisitely beautiful passage. So many of those in S's works.
During covid times listening to Sibelius's symphonies is the best way to feel a beauty of Finnish nature.
I went to a NyPhil performance of Sibelius's second symphony and went to a pre-performance talk. The speaker, a celebrated musicologist, mentioned that the second symphony is probably Sibelius's most popular symphony, but that in his opinion the seventh symphony is one of the best symphonies ever written.
I've listened to all of the symphonies of the classical and romantic repertory, and of the modern, and the late baroque, and this is the strongest one of them all. It's completely free of the artifice of the classical and romantic symphonic style. It's what a symphony truly should be and that is a personal statement. It is the most personal work from any artist I've ever heard in my entire life.
Thank you!
If you think this is person, give a listen to the Sibelius 4th!
Beethoven Eroica?
Sibelius is one of the most recognizable and personal composers of all time, if not the most personal composer of all time. Out of his symphonies i'd say the second and the fifth are probably objectively the best but every symphony out of the seven has its own charm which is very unique.
If you think this is personal, listen to William Grant Still's Symphony No. 1
Sibelius 7 Startup at 5:15
Thanks that’s what I came here for
u knew what we all were thinking
Fr Produções its sound like mahler
you are a god
Ah . . . the first mountain peak of the three that define this musical journey through life's ever-changing terrain!
Truly outstanding! This is a brilliant rendering of one the very greatest symphonies of the twentieth century.
This is absolutely wonderful music by the greatest composer there ever was !
The Greatest symphony ever made. It's one block of an everlasting melody that describes the organic world of life. People mention his 2nd or 5th as his greatest. They have wonderful melodies and interesting form development, but it is far more difficult composing a piece such as the 7th without any very catchy tunes. It is but one full stream of consciousness he is describing with NO BREAKS. There is no sign that there is a break between his thoughts. It is one thought without any break for the whole duration of this piece, always expansive like life itself. No other symphony comes close to describing that.
He wrote in his journal that (each) symphony is a state of mind at the time of composition.
@@noriemeha You feel that every symphony of his is a unique take on the world! Just like Beethoven who had symphonies that were very different from one another. You can recognize Dvorak or Tchaikovsky's symphonies a lot easier. There is this signature mark, but as for Sibelius.... you can recognize his use of woodwinds and bass chords, but the emotions conveyed are different.
Wagner's operas had no arias, but "endless melody". This what Sebelius has accomplished here to extradordinary effect. Being his last symphony, I'm inclined to say that he "poured himself out" here. And there was no more. Just as Wagner did with Parsifal.
Just like Bach´s Passacaglia and Fugue. No doubt that Sibelius was a huge admirer of JS Bach organ music.
It's a phenomenon, isn't it? Music begins where words end.
11:25...
violins feel like the wind...
this masterpiece blows our mind away from useless thoughts..
🌬️
This, the 5th and Tapiola are, surely, the pinnacle of all music...
7 still does it for me tho'
Lots to love in Symphony No. 7. I just can't get that magical theme out of my head.
I continue to be awed by the Sibelius power. IMHO, Mahler and Sibelius are the greatest composers of the 20th century. Both have garnered a cosmic grasp of what music can convey at the most primal levels.
I totally agree with you. Each composer is as different as night and day but no other composers in history were able to translate human emotion into the realm of sound as these two composers.
Here I have been sitting the past half-hour, reading the wikipedia entry on Sibelius and just now discovered the gorgeous video with the music. Now, I'll have to go back to enjoy it all over again!!! Hooray for screwups, LOL.
Life-changing. We don't deserve you, Jean.
GREAT................SO BEAUTIFULL
I've just listened to this symphony for the first time. It's really gorgeous! What a profound composition speaking to the spirit in the most wonderful language: the music! The part at 15:00 when it makes like a recalling of his 3rd symphony is really touching. This is a great choice for finishing the year 2015 on this 31st December. Happy New Year to everyone and let's celebrate the Sibelius music 150 years after his birth!!!
+LuizBHMG Brasil?
Sim :D De qual cidade você é?
+LuizBHMG João Pessoa.
Saudações à Paraíba e ao Nordeste! Leve bastante do grande mestre Sibelius aos ouvidos da região! :)
+LuizBHMG Fico feliz em encontrar um brasileiro que ame Sibelius. Saudações à grande Minas. Sempre que posso cito Sibelius para alguém.
Thanks to RUclips I’m discovering the works of several composers I’d never heard of. But I have to say, from time to time I have to return to the tried and tested great works, such as this one!
this is/was - probably the most beautiful music I have heard by Sibelius - I thank my college music teacher for turning me on to this!
The visuals fit the music so well. Both are so beautiful. My eyes and ears thank you.
Wow...and to think that I am listening to his last symphony, after having listened to the first six, and all in an afternoon/evening...such as which I have never done before.... And all for the first time, of course...I had to listen to his fifth three times.... I've never had this experience with any other composer, but then...nearly all of the symphonies run less than half an hour, still though....THANK YOU!!!....
+james alden I did the same: Listening from half past 2 till 8 O'Çlock. Completely overwhelmed by this completely individual and original set of Symphonies and I loved them all...
+greatclassicrecords I think that what the so-called problem is, is that they're so brief, which is why one can listen to them all...in practically in one sitting, but then...there's something else about them that I can't quite put my finger, as it were, on....THANK YOU!!!...
I AGREE SIBELIUS IS WONDERFUL IVE HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO HAVE DISCOVERED HIS MUSIC EARLY ON IN LIFE AND AM STILL SO TOTALLY MOVED BY ITS POWER MAJESTY AND BEAUTY
Musically, this is the swelling of primeval magma into the rock sculptures of Scafell and the bitter cold of an ice-storm sweeping over a high col at Bowfell. Those doom laden trombones with their prophesies of a world's end and the final abrupt cadence from dominant to a despairing tonic make this symphony a precious and unique gem. Listen to it a hundred times and try to imagine what Sibelius was seeing in his mind's eye. It is more than music; it is a prophesy.
***** Thankyou, Richard, for your kind remarks. The 7th Symphony was written in 1924, the year of my birth, so that, indeed, makes me "old" but not necessarily mad or conceived out of wedlock. "Prophesises a brave future" Really? An obscene world war was a near memory and the next war was already fermenting in the mind of Hitler.
Anyway, it appears that we both enjoy the music in our own ways. Fin!
***** John is not alone: Here's conductor Simon Rattle: "It’s the most depressed C major in all of musical literature. There’s no other piece that ends in C major where you feel it’s the end of the world. Look at how carefully he orchestrates is so that it doesn’t sound like a victory, but as something you reach on the edge of death. You finally reach C major - and it’s over"
We all hear, think, and feel differently. To me the Sibelius 7th is an undoubted affirmation. No, the ending is not the sunny, glorious, triumphant C-major we are used to. It is a solemn, eternal, transcendent C-major. When I listen to this symphony I hear a life. Sometimes vigorous, sometimes failing, sometimes playful. In the end wracked with trials and tribulations, and FEAR, but ultimately finding peace. The final cadence, which Rattle described as "almost like a scream", is the soul leaving the body. So it IS an end, a profoundly final end, but is the inevitable culmination of everything that came before so is spiritually uplifting. It is beyond "victory".
***** Wow, that's no way to address someone who just gave a great review of music. One can imagine a world's end in 'earthly nature', while beautiful it is also self-consuming.
whybecauseman I think Mr. Diffin's subsequent exhortation, if I may call it that, puts him in his own sorry place.
Is one movement enough to be an entire symphony? This one is, it happens to be one of the most emotional symphonies ever. This music sound primal and definitive.
I love this piece! Every time I here the Sibelius opening tune (for the program) it makes me want to listen to the whole thing!
Музыка Сибелиуса прекрасна Исполнение блестящее! Особо хочется отметить зрительный ряд! Великолепно!
Who can disagree that the very best part of this symphony is from 21:27 to the end? (remembering of course that one must hear the entire piece to derive maximal satisfaction from this closing bit).
thank you for this wonderful video,the beautiful photography of Finland,and Karajans performance of this great symphony are just amazing.
If I were an oncologist, and a patient of mine approached me claiming that his or her carcinoma spontaneously vanished after listening to Sibelius's 7th symphony, I would have completely believed it! this symphony is powerful!
its kinda weird seeing someone with the same dp eventhough its such a famous painting lol, we share an existential nightmare in some ways then haha
Der rote Blick
Sibelius es uno de los grandes.Junto a Mahler y Bruckner
Creo que toda su música es sobre su Finlandia.Esta séptima junto a la sexta y porque no la primera son las mejores.Yo vivo en Argentina y como Sibelius vinimos en fin del mundo.Gracias.
Another stunning performance by Karajan and the BPO.
Really you have got one of the best records I ever hear thank you
The finale is one of the best in classical repertoire.
É um verdadeiro génio musical, com estilo e estrutura muito próprios. Karayan é o melhor interprete, com é sabido.
I think the best description I’ve heard of this symphony came from Sibelius himself (if I’m remembering correctly): he said that “the 7th is like a churning river that gains momentum with sometimes unexplainable and mysterious forces”
Great performance -- and wonderful images of northern Finland -- which I can see from the star patterns. Magnificent Northern lights!
Very good pictures to the music... compliments!!
What a majestic composition! This is the pinnacle of Sibelius' works. What a performance. This has to be my # 1 Sibelius Seventh followed by Lorin Maazel and the Vienna Philharmonic.
An extraordinary composition played wonderfully.
Thank you for the gorgeous visual presentation.
I wanted so much for Berglund/Bournemouth to take the claim, but this is still the one, for all its recording shortcomings - what a gem of a video!!!
This for me is the top [psting both for the music and the images, It was great to see footage of Sibelius. The performance is incredible.
Just thinking of this piece of music brings tears to my eyes. That scale at around 5:10 is one of the most exquisite, transcendent experiences I will ever have in my life
MW thank you for sharing your experience of wonder. As I will greet 90 in a few weeks, I doubt I will actually see the Aurora but through your generous recollections of your excited experience I feel as if I were there. Thank you again, and thank you for your service.
The ads that interrupt this wonderful piece do it a tremendous injustice !
you could buy a recording then !
Nigel makes a fine suggestion, but rather invest those few coins in an ad free subscription and enjoy no advertisements at all once and for all! They were driving me nuts. Suddenly anger shattered my mood every time. Believe me when I say it will be the best decision you will ever make.
Having heard this (and Afternoon of a Faun), one has not lived in vain.
A grandiose work, reminding of the auroras of the north pole.
Goosebumps all over my body !
Wonderful musical evocation of a bright, fresh and clean new world for a caring humanity. The perpetual cold forces us to bundle close together and touch each other for warmth and that reminds us of who we really are and why.
Von Karajan = The Master!
2:00 my personal favorite moment.. so beautiful
Music and video : excellent combination. Congratulation and thanks
Marvelous visuals, marvelous music.
Die Musik ist mystisch
I keep listening to it in awe, every week, every month, Karajan's version. If they made me choose between Wagner and Sibelius I wouldn't hesitate. Oftentimes, whilst listening to certain parts of this symphony I say to myself...If I were to choose between discarding the bulk of western music and this...I'll keep the seventh...
One of my two favorite Sibelius symphonies (the other being the 4th), there's something haunting about that part 11:25.
Una soberbia interpretación de la Séptima, la más perfecta que conozco de una de mis sinfonías favoritas, para la isla desierta; tiempo justo, sentimiento preciso y un apasionado final (además de ese delicioso pasaje que siempre me ha recordado música española 13:17).Y con imágenes apropiadas, aunque la música sibeliana no las necesita.
A superb interpretation of the Seventh, the most perfect I know of one of my favorite symphonies, for the desert island; Just time, precise feeling and a passionate ending (in addition to that delicious passage that has always reminded me of Spanish music 13:17). And with appropriate images, although Sibelian music does not need them.
Beautiful......Thanks for posting
Even in his (Karajan) younger days he conducted Sibelius. When he conducted (after 2nd WW) Sibelius Symphonies in Finnland, Sibelius himself attended the concert and praise him.
Sibelius"s dramatic music is perfectly shown is this video
GREAT idea to insert an ad break right at the climax of the symphony. Because who doesn’t want their transcendent listening experience interrupted by someone selling car insurance?
Yes agree totally. Moses sermon on the mount must have been interrupted by his sponsors selling icons and relics.
Or shopee/lazada sale day ads haiya
@@noriemeha The mythical sermon on the mount was spoken by the mythical Jesus. Get your fiction right. Agree about the ads, though.
@@noriemeha Damn...someone got to you about Moses's "sermon" just a week before I found it. You have made me wonder though if sponsors and their "merch" was how JC pulled off the loaves and fishes trick ;-)
I will never stop until something changes in this. Putting ads like this and just interrupting is disrespectful to those who listen, the music, the composer and the performers. I'm a musician myself and I would definitely feel annoyed if while I'm performing someone comes out and goes "WANNA SELL UNUSED CLOTHING?!?!!??!!111!1!1!1!!"
Brilliant presentation of this most mature of Sibelius's works !
this is glorious
One movement. Very unusual, and very beautiful.
ZE, One movement Symphonies are not that uncommon starting with the 20th century. This is piece among the most popular of the genre. Samuel Barber actually modeled his 1st Symphony after this piece. Such a remarkable piece, don't you think?
One movement symphonies are extremely uncommon.
After listening to this, may I die in peace.
Fantastic, best performance ever.
The best symphonie of 20th century
I prefer Sibelius' 2nd
I prefer Mahlers 6th and 9th
There was once a CD of the Mahler 6th that was given an award by a classical website as the Best 19th Century Orchestral Recording. [SMH]
@@jesseatwater393 But Mahler 6th was written in 20th century
you heard of mahler
(anyway it's just opinions heh)
Karajan's 4,5&6 (early 60's DG) are the best renditions I've heard. Get the vinyl and give a real HiFi spin - you'll melt...
Harmonie parfaite entre la vidéo et la fabuleuse musique qui virevolte au rythme des aurores boréales 🙏🎶❤️🎶✨
The Trombone... A very sweet and expression melody!!!
magnifica edicion de imagenes..junto a la musica le da una fuerza y grandeza que se funde lo mas bello y representativo del espiritu finlandes.
i love karajan's sibelius
Sometimes, I wait for just the right opportunity to listen to a specific work and now I’m kicking myself time and again that I hadn’t listened to this ridiculously amazing personal masterpiece that Sibelius created until now. Wow, just wow. Trying to grasp an understanding and sheer meaning of what this work means and why it’s so unique.
The music aptly compliments the heavenly light display of the video .
The music used (and very effectively) at the end of Episode 10 ("World Within World") from the landmark 1973 television series "The Ascent of Man," with Jacob Bronowski, is from the last movement. That was my introduction to this extraordinary and sublime work.
I have read this comment and the many stimulating replies. What I see here with a few exception, is a hold over from a winner take all mentality so prevalent until quite recently. And extending back in time to the baroque, as well, where Bach and Handel were the winners and many other fine composers were the losers and hence deserving of oblivion (a popular phrase among critics in the past). So what do I think about Mahler, Sibelius and the serialists. Wake up this is not a political campaign, it is art. I think there is a difference or should be.
I agree- Mahler and Sibelius cannot be farther apart in their symphonic approach yet I am in awe of each composer and all of their magnificent creations. Great art and creativity is the glue that binds this greatness and it should not be a musical contest
Beautiful! Thanks for posting.
Get me into this world, I know this work soooo well, the combination with video is mind-blowing with Herbie and the BPO
Listen it with headphones, or you will lost much thing!
A prodigy of synthesis and conciseness
What an incredible mind! A master of dissonance 19:01
WONDERFUL,,.thank you!!!!
Sibelius 7 is of the highest among
8th Dec is Sibelius' Day (& finnish music) in Finland. Kiitos.
Enjoyed very much. Thank you.
wanderlust Sibelius... nice video !
Thanks for sharing such an amazing music! have a good day
Fantástico, sublime, obra de arte.
Karajan's original recording with the Philharmonia Orchestra, from the 1950's, was the one that first introduced me to this work (wish someone would post it), and so has a special significance for me. However, I feel that the all-time greatest recording is the one by Koussevitzky with the BBC Orchestra. But it is not generally known that he recorded it with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as well. I would love to hear that rendition. And I'm still hoping that the live performance by Munch and the Boston was somehow recorded and preserved, as I only caught a portion of it. It is surprisingly, quite a good rendition, such that one would not expect from that conductor of this work.
I, too, first heard this great symphony when I was given the Karajan/Philharmonia recording as a child. If I'm not mistaken, it was an Angel LP, yes? I'm sure I still have it. You've given me the incentive to find it and listen to it again. Thank you.
@@donaldallen1771 this is that recording.........remastered by Praga
this music is amazing!