Finlandia

Jean Sibelius

Jean Sibelius (trans. Clark McAlister; ed Alfred Reed)

This work bears the designation Opus 25, Number 7.

General Info

Year: 1900 / 2004
Duration: c. 8:45
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Ludwig Masters
Cost: Score and Parts - $65.00   |   Score Only - $10.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II-III (III doubles Piccolo)
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

• Bass Drum
• Crash Cymbals
• Triangle

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The richness and depth of Sibelius's famous composition translates beautifully to the concert band idiom. This transcription can deservedly take its place in the library of any mature band.

- Program Note from publisher

Finlandia, Op. 26, is a symphonic poem by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It was written in 1899 and revised in 1900. The piece was composed for the Press Celebrations of 1899, a covert protest against increasing censorship from the Russian Empire, and was the last of seven pieces performed as an accompaniment to a tableau depicting episodes from Finnish history. The premiere was on July 2, 1900, in Helsinki with the Helsinki Philharmonic Society conducted by Robert Kajanus.

In order to avoid Russian censorship, Finlandia had to be performed under alternative names at various musical concerts. Titles under which the piece masqueraded were numerous, a famous example being Happy Feelings at the awakening of Finnish Spring, andA Scandinavian Choral March. Most of the piece is taken up with rousing and turbulent music, evoking the national struggle of the Finnish people. Towards the end, a calm comes over the orchestra, and the serenely melodic Finlandia Hymn is heard. Often incorrectly cited as a traditional folk melody, the Hymn section is of Sibelius's own creation.

Sibelius later reworked the Finlandia Hymn into a stand-alone piece. This hymn, with words written in 1941 by Veikko Antero Koskenniemi, is one of the most important national songs of Finland (though Maamme is the national anthem). With different words, it is also sung as a Christian hymn (Be Still, My Soul; also Hail, Festal Day), and was the national anthem of the short-lived African state of Biafra (Land of the Rising Sun).

- Program Note from Wikipedia

Media

• Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

• Florida: V
• North Carolina: VI

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• Cincinnati (Ohio) Youth Symphonic Band – 29 April 2019
• University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Wind Ensemble (Emily Threinen, conductor) – 20 October 2017
• Arkansas Winds Community Concert Band (Springdale) (Michael Ferguson, conductor) - 23 April 2016
• Virginia Grand Military Band (Alexandria) (Loras John Schissel, conductor) – 26 September 2015
• San Ramon Symphonic Band (Larry B. Colón, conductor) - 4 April 2013 (ACB’s 35th Annual Convention (San Ramon, Calif.))
• Interlochen Adult Band Camp (Thomas Riccobono, conductor) - 14 August 2011
• Heart of Texas Concert Band (Mike Olson, conductor) - 2011

Works for Winds by This Composer

• Andante Festivo (arr. Thurston) (1922/1930/1999)
• Be Still My Soul (arr. Swearingen) (1900/2016)
• Finlandia (tr. Cailliet) (1900/1939)
• Finlandia (tr. Hindsley) (1900/1971)
• Finlandia (arr. Kuikka) (1900/1967)
• Finlandia (tr. McAlister; ed. Reed) (1900/2004)
• Finlandia (arr. Molenaar) (1900/1964)
• Finlandia (arr. Page) (1900/1928)
• Finlandia (tr. Winterbottom) (1900/1908(?))
• Onward, Ye Peoples! (arr. Goldman) (1940)
• Overture in F Minor (trans. Ambrose) (1889/1988/2018)
• Petite Suite (arr. Fransman) (1891/1988)
• Preludio (ed. Corporon) (2010)
• Tiera (1899/c. 2011)
• Valse Triste (arr. Winterbottom)

Resources

• Finlandia, Wikipedia
• Sibelius, J.; McAlister, C.; Reed, A. (2004). Finlandia: For Concert Band [score]. Masters Music Publications: Boca Raton, Fla.