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Kullervo, opus 7, is a suite of symphonic movements with chorus composed by Jean Sibelius. It is based on the character of Kullervo in the Finnish epic Kalevala and uses texts from that work.

Kullervo was first performed in 1892.

Also included here are incidental music from Sibelius’s Kuolema, Op. 44 and Swanwhite, Op. 54.

All the tracks here are from the world permiere recording of Kullervo (1970) by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paavo Berglund and the Helsinki University Chorus.

 

— Roger W. Smith

   June 2018

 

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The recording posted here is from a set of two LP records in my collection. The two LP’s (four sides) contain the following selections (all composed by Sibelius):

 

Side 1

“Kullervo” Symphony, Op. 7:

1st movement: Introduction (Allegro Moderato)

2nd movement: Kullervo’s Youth (Grave)

 

Side 2

“Kullervo” Symphony, Op. 7:

3rd movement: Kullervo And His Sister (Allegro Vivace)

 

Side 3

“Kullervo” Symphony, Op. 7:

4th movement: Kullervo Goes to Battle (A La Marcia)

5th movement: Kullervo’s Death (Andante)

 

Side 4

Kuolema, Op. 44 – Scene with Cranes

Swanwhite, Op. 54 – Incidental Music:

2nd movement: The Harp

3rd movement: The Maiden with The Roses

4th movement: Listen, The Robin Sings

6th movement: Swanwhite and The Prince

 

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LIBRETTO

 

‘Kullervo’ – libretto

 

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addendum:

 

I have also posted here a separate track: “Swanwhite and The Prince,” by a separate orchestra. It was one of my favorites.