Description

The Symphonic Study is the third major orchestral work composed by Aarre Merikanto in his modernist period of the 1920s (following the Fantasia of 1923 and Pan of 1924). It also marks the culmination of his modernism. Compared with the previous two works, it is more linear, more translucent and harsh, but also more cutting and dissonant. Though one of his masterpieces, the Symphonic Study was never performed during his lifetime, and at one point he even damaged the score by cutting out several pages. These were, however, restored in 1981 by one of his pupils of the late 1950s, Paavo Heininen.

© Kimmo Korhonen, March 2000

(translated by © Susan Sinisalo)

Sinfoninen harjoitelma on Fantasian (1923) ja Panin (1924) jälkeen Aarre Merikannon 1920-luvun modernistisen kauden kolmas tärkeä orkesteriteos ja samalla hänen modernisminsa huipentuma. Fantasiaan ja Paniin verrattuna se on lineaarisemmin, läpikuultavammin ja karummin mutta samalla terävämmin ja dissonoivammin soivaa musiikkia. Sinfoninen harjoitelma on Merikannon mestariteoksista, mutta sitä ei esitetty hänen elinaikanaan, ja jossain vaiheessa hän turmeli partituurin leikkaamalla siitä useita sivuja pois. Merikannon sävellysoppilas 1950-luvun lopulta Paavo Heininen kuitenkin täydensi puuttuvat sivut vuonna 1981.

© Kimmo Korhonen, 3/2000

Instrumentation

3333 4331 00 0, str [pic, ehn, bcl, cbsn]

Category

Works for Orchestra or Large Ensemble

Arranger

Completed by Paavo Heininen

Premiere

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Ulf Söderblom, Helsinki, March 3, 1982

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