The 150th Anniversary of the birth of Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), often called "Finland's national composer", is to be celebrated in 2015. The fourth album on Ondine by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir is dedicated to the composer's complete works for mixed choir. The award-winning choir, one of the finest of it's kind internationally, is conducted here by leading Finnish choir director Heikki SeppÃ¤nen. Choral music was a genre in which Sibelius showed interest from his student days to the end of his career. This double-disc set includes patriotic works, works closely connected to the Finnish national epic Kalevala, student works, Christmas songs, works based on Finnish poetry, works written for school (including Three Songs for American Schools) as well as works written for academic promotions, inauguration ceremonies and different official occasions. It also includes two versions of the famous Finlandia Hymn. The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir's first Ondine release was given an 'Editor's Choice' by the Gramophone Magazine and 'Disc of the Year' by German weekly Die Zeit.

Tracklist:

Rakastava, Op. 14, Js 160c (The Lover)
6 Songs, Op. 18: No. 1, Sortunut Ääni (The Voice Now Stilled)
6 Songs, Op. 18: No. 3, Venematka (The Journey By Boat)
6 Songs, Op. 18: No. 4, Saarella Palaa (Fire On The Island)
6 Songs, Op. 18: No. 6, Sydämeni Laulu (Glade Of Tuoni)
Min Rastas Raataa, Js 129 (The Thrush's Toiling)
Carminalia, Js 51a: I. Ecce Novum Gaudium (Behold A New Joy) [Version A Cappella]
Carminalia, Js 51a: II. Angelus Emittitur (An Angel Is Sent Out) [Version A Cappella]
Carminalia, Js 51a: III. In Stadio Laboris (In Athletic Strife) [Version A Cappella]
Carminalia, Js 51b: I. Ecce Novum Gaudium (Behold A New Joy) [Version With Harmonium]
Carminalia, Js 51b: II. Angelus Emittitur (An Angel Is Sent Out) [Version With Harmonium]
Carminalia, Js 51b: III. In Stadio Laboris (In Athletic Strife) [Version With Harmonium]
Carminalia, Js 51c: I. Ecce Novum Gaudium (Behold A New Joy) [Version With Piano]
Carminalia, Js 51c: II. Angelus Emittitur (An Angel Is Sent Out) [Version With Piano]
Carminalia, Js 51c: III. In Stadio Laboris (In Athletic Strife) [Version With Piano]
Kotikaipaus, Js 111 (Homesickness)
Isänmaalle, Js 98a (To The Fatherland) [1900 Version]
Hur Blekt Är Allt, Js 96 (So Faded Everything Is)
När Sig Våren Åter Föder, Js 139 (When Spring Is Born Again)
Tanke, Se, Hur Fågeln Svingar, Js 191 (Thought, See How The Bird Swoops)
Ensam I Dunkla Skogarnas Famn, Js 72 (Alone In The Dark Forest’s Clasp)
Ack, Hör Du Fröken Gyllenborg, Js 10 (Ah! Listen, Miss Gyllenborg)
Työkansan Marssi, Js 212 (March Of The Labourers)
Soitapas Sorea Neito, Js 176 (Play, Pretty Maiden)
Juhlamarssi, Js 105 (Festive March)
Aamusumussa, Js 9a (In The Morning Mist)
Uusmaalaisten Laulu, Js 214a (The Song Of The Men Of Uusimaa)
Kallion Kirkon Kellosävel, Op. 65b (The Bells Of Kallio Church)
Drömmarna, Js 64 (Dreams)
Män Från Slätten Och Havet, Op. 65a (Men From Plain And Sea)
9 Songs For Chorus, Op. 23: No. 1, Me Nuoriso Suomen (The Journey Continues)
9 Songs For Chorus, Op. 23: No. 2, Tuuli Tuudittele (Wind, Cosset Our Boat)
9 Songs For Chorus, Op. 23: No. 3, Oi Toivo, Toivo Sä Lietomieli (Hope, That State Which So Consoles Me)
9 Songs For Chorus, Op. 23: No. 4, Montapa Elon Merellä (Many Pitfalls Await Us On Life’s Road)
9 Songs For Chorus, Op. 23: No. 5, Sammuva Sainio Maan (Noble Deeds And Wisdom)
9 Songs For Chorus, Op. 23: No. 6a, Soi Kiitoksesksi Luojan (Let Our Sweet Songs Of Thanks)
9 Songs For Chorus, Op. 23: No. 6b, Tuule, Tuuli, Leppeämmin (Blow Softer Now, Breeze)
9 Songs For Chorus, Op. 23: No. 7, Oi Lempi, Sun Valtas Ääretön On (O Love, You Genial Child Of God)
9 Songs For Chorus, Op. 23: No. 8, Kun Virta Vuolas (Like A Surging Stream)
9 Songs For Chorus, Op. 23: No. 9, Oi Kallis Suomi, Äiti Verraton (Precious Finland)
Den 25 Oktober 1902: Den 25 Oktober 1902: Till Thérèse Hahl, Js 60 (October 25th 1902: To Theresa Hahl) [1st Setti
Den 25 Oktober 1902: Den 25 Oktober 1902: Till Thérèse Hahl, Js 61 (October 25th 1902: To Theresa Hahl) [2nd Setti
Ej Med Klagan, Js 69 (Not With Laments)
Kansakoululaisten Marssi, Js 103 (March Of The Primary School Children)
Kantat, Js 107 (Cantata)
Islossningen I Uleå Älv, Op. 30: Nejden Andas (The Landscape Breathes) [Version For Female Chorus]
Cantata For The Coronation Of Nicholas II, Js 104: Terve Ruhtinatar (Hail, O Princess) [Version For Female Chorus]
3 Songs For American Schools, Js 199: No. 2, The Sun Upon The Lake Is Low
3 Songs For American Schools, Js 199: No, 3, A Cavalry Catch
3 Songs For American Schools, Js 199: No. 1, Autumn Song
Koulutie, Js 112 (The Way To School)
Skolsång, Js 172 (School Song)
Den Höga Himlen, Js 58a (The Lofty Heav’n)
On Lapsonen Syntynyt Meille, Js 142 (A Child Is Born Unto Us)
5 Christmas Songs, Op. 1: No. 4, En Etsi Valtaa, Loistoa (I Seek Not Power, Glory Or Gold) [Version For Female Chorus]
5 Christmas Songs, Op. 1: No. 5, On Hanget Korkeat (High Are The Snowdrifts) [Version For Female Chorus]
Finlandia, Op. 26 (Version For Mixed Chorus In F Major)
Finlandia, Op. 26 (Version For Mixed Chorus In A-Flat Major)

UPC: 761195126028
Label: Ondine
Release Date: 3.10.15
Format: CD

Sibelius / Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir - Complete Works for Mixed Choir (2 CD)