SKU: BR.MR-2306

ISBN 9790004488737. 9 x 12 inches.

Sibelius was a major force in the Finnish national movement and many of his works were inspired by the music and the culture of his homeland. In this transcription, arranger Andrew Middleton aimed to use the instrumental timbres in a way that retains the original patriotic qualities but within a smaller ensemble. The first movement is dominated by the brass with their march-like melody, which emerges dramatically from the fragmented phrases first heard on the horns. In the melancholic second movement, the lyrical qualities of the oboes and bassoons capture the reflective nature of the music. In the rousing final movement Alla Marcia of the suite, sweeping arpeggios in the flutes and clarinets come to the fore in the concluding, exhilarating march.

The Karelia Suite Op. 11 was written by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in 1893 and was named after the Karelia region of Finland. It since has become one of the composer's most popular works.