Description

My Sinfonia 2 ‘Johannes Angelos’ has been inspired by a historical novel by the great Finnish author Mika Waltari, taking place in 1453, around the final days of Byzantine Constantinople. I have always been deeply fascinated by what I have known about the history and culture of this ancient empire, whose citizens spoke Greek, but called themselves Romans.

The symphony consists of four movements: The Panagia of Blachernae, St. Spyridon’s Day, At the Church of the Holy Apostles and Aleo e polis. With the exception of the first movement, which is a kind of apotheosis to Byzantine mysticism, the titles of movements refer to important events and turning points of this breath-taking novel.

- Olli Mustonen

Instrumentation

3333 4331 14 1, cel, str [pic+afl, ehn, cl in eb+bcl, cbsn]

Category

Works for Orchestra or Large Ensemble

Premiere

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Olli Mustonen, cond. May 20, 2014, Helsinki

Movements

I Blachernain Panaghia (The Panagia of Blachernae), II Pyhän Spridionin päivä (St. Spyridon’s Day), III Apostolien kirkossa (At the Church of the Holy Apostles), IV Aleo e polis

Commisioned by / dedications

Commissioned by Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Dedicated to Sole.

More

• Read the score on publisher's site

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