Recently I discovered the music of Erkki Melartin (1875-1937), finnish composer and conductor.
A contempory of Sibelius, Melartin as conductor of the Viborg Orchestra, Helsinki directed the orchestra in the first performanances of Mahler's music given in any of the Nordic countries.
Unsurprisingly Melartin's music at times bears the stamp of Mahler, whilst still retaining its own original voice.
Amongst his key works : 6 symphonies and a stunning VC (all on Ondine).
Broadly classified as a National Romantic , I find his music most appealing: lyrical, yearning, stirring and very expressive, often with the inclusion of finnish folk songs. His Scherzi in particular (Sym 1-4) are full of freshness and veuve.
My own favourite is Sym No 4 (historically his most popular) and contains a choral movement for soprano, mezzo and contralto (lovely). The scherzo in particular is superb, with its racy rhythmic motif, and its Trio theme having an odd Prokofiev aspect to it.
Of the 6 symphonies, my order of preference is 4,1,2,3,5 +6.
My most unreserved praise is however for his VC, which I find especially beautiful. The main theme (a big"tune"?) introduced in the first movement reappears in all 3 movements and is variously at times tender,yearning and very moving. It's the 2nd movement however which does it for me, the Andante is so lovely. The concerto comes to a most satisfactory conclusion with an uplifting, danse-like movement.
I think Melartin deserves to be better known. Do other members know his music?
Yes, I have always liked the VC very much indeed - I discovered it before the symphonies which, I confess, I don't know, although I have them in my collection. The VC is a wonderful piece which should be much better known - a sort of cross between Sibelius and Delius, if that were possible. Now I must return to the symphonies...
I picked up the symphonies as theycame out and have found them inventive, colorful, even memorable if not great works. They never outstay their welcome. The music just flows naturally. The cd notes kept comparing him to Sibelius which I never quite figured out. The opera Aino is very enjoyable, too.
Many thanks, gentlemen, for telling us about the music of Melarten. Mahler with a Finnish accent----sounds really interesting! :)
I actually picked up the Ondine set after a recomendation from Amazon, of all things (though I'm sure I sampled them or listened to them fully before hand). Never regretted it.
Because of this thread I purchased this set when it was posted. I don't know where my mind was on the first listening through but I am finding these symphonies extremely delightful and want to thank Dennis for brining them to our attention. Upon a closer listen I am beginning to apprecaite the genius that was Melartin and I would highly recommend the complete symphonies and the violin concerto to anyone who enjoys Mahler, Sibelius or Bruckner. The 4th symphony has to be one of the most haunting I have ever heard and sometimes I hear shades of Howard Hanson. If you like any of of the composers I have mentions then I think Melartin is a must have. I only wish we had more of his music!
Kevin
Oddly enough, random.org decreed that disc 1 of the set was my current car listening. The first symphony is quite a unique sounding piece really, I dunno how to describe why I feel that, but again, quite worthwhile.
Hello Kevin and TerraEpon
Glad you both find listening to Melartin's music so appealing. I come back to his music regularly but most of all, as I said previously, it's the VC that I really love most of all.
I have only ever heard the 6th.Bits of it reminded me of
Gliere.I was impressed.Exciting & dramatic music.
I got into Melartin in an unusual way. When I was a kid, there was a TV programme in which you were taught how to draw (totally lost on me, alas). The signature tune was a lovely little waltz, which stuck in my memory, though I never was able to discover what on earth it was.
Years later, I bought an LP in a sale; it was called 'Finnish Miniatures for String Quartet', or something like that. When I played it, to my utter delight, one of the pieces was that very theme that had haunted me for so long. It was Melartin's 'Butterfly Waltz'. I looked up Melartin in Grove and saw that he had written loads of other works, including six symphonies. More years passed and I then saw a CD of a couple of the symphonies and bought it. I was expecting half an hour of symphonic Butterfly-Waltz-like themes - simple, diatonic and charming. Boy, I didn't know what had hit me; massive Mahlerian gestures, opulently orchestrated and absolutly compelling. I bought the other two CDs of the sumphoonies and also managed to get the Violin Concerto from the radio. Magnificent stuff.
Hello HerbieG
Glad to find another member who rates Melartin as highly as I do. Do you have a particular favourite symphony? As is clear from the above, my own preference is sym no 4 (also historically his most popular). Equally, I am particularly fond of the VC, which, as I have already said, is a very beautiful work, especially with its main theme, so lyrical, which recurs throughout the three movements.
cheers
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
It's some time since I listened to the Melartin symphonies and I can't remember a particular favourite. This discussion has prompted me to dig out the CDs and listen again - which is just what I shall do now!
I know this is an old thread but I was wondering if anyone knows of a source for Melartin's String Quartets? I'd really like to hear them.
Kevin
I know only of a radio tape of two of them, I think- I heard the first of them from that tape at a New York City library. I was disappointed (I'm told the last quartet is better though- and anyhow I might think better of it on a rehearing. The first two are, I seem to recall, early works- around the time of the first two symphonies? A commercial recording of his chamber works would be welcome even though I think some have already been recorded, some not; there's besides the string quartet some sonatas -a very early violin sonata, a sonata for flute and harp- also a late manuscript string trio from 1927 or so...
I've Melartin's SQ 1,2 and 3 by the Meta4 SQ, and 4 by Melartin SQ. But don't know label because they were copies I traded with a friend, and he didn't inform it.
QuoteGlad to find another member who rates Melartin as highly as I do.
Count me in, too! I first discovered Melartin about 20 years ago through a friend who was raving about him, and have loved his music ever since. Interesting, that you consider Symphonies 5 & 6 your least preferred -- #5 is one of my very favorite symphonies of all time, and #6 is also among my top picks. Personally, I find the early symphonies less interesting. Each to his/her own!
By the way, I have some works by Melartin from Finnish Radio broadcasts that have never been recorded commercially -- I'll upload them to the forum as soon as I get a chance.
I think that recording of the string quartets has been mentioned in these forums before, not sure. And now that I check, the string trio has been recorded too. I forgot. (A recording, several CDs, called "Live from the Kuhmo Festival".)
A recording of Melartin's string quartets was published on two CDs by a Finnish record store -- perhaps Fuga. I had good luck finding the order form a few months back; today I can't find it come h or h w. Meantime, the two CDs are being "disseminated" here:
http://www.cylist.com/List/404350288/melartin-string-quartets-cd1.html
and here:
http://www.cylist.com/List/404238532/melartin-string-quartets-cd2.html
Quote from: chill319 on Saturday 03 September 2011, 01:31
A recording of Melartin's string quartets was published on two CDs by a Finnish record store -- perhaps Fuga. I had good luck finding the order form a few months back; today I can't find it come h or h w. Meantime, the two CDs are being "disseminated" here:
http://www.cylist.com/List/404350288/melartin-string-quartets-cd1.html
and here:
http://www.cylist.com/List/404238532/melartin-string-quartets-cd2.html
chill319, can you help me: I don't quite understand these links: are they downloads or is this a store from which I can buy the cds?
I heard the sonata for flute and harp lately on Ylen Klassinen. Though written in the 1920s it was quite uncharacteristic of him, almost like some early romantic piece.
The links seem to be a database of info, nothing more.
Quote from: chill319 on Saturday 03 September 2011, 01:31
A recording of Melartin's string quartets was published on two CDs by a Finnish record store -- perhaps Fuga. I had good luck finding the order form a few months back; today I can't find it come h or h w. Meantime, the two CDs are being "disseminated" here:
http://www.cylist.com/List/404350288/melartin-string-quartets-cd1.html
and here:
http://www.cylist.com/List/404238532/melartin-string-quartets-cd2.html
These are the CDs I am looking for but it does not list a label or even the ensemble. I'd love to get these if they are available anywhere in the world.
Kevin
The four Melartin quartets were recorded in 2003 and released that year in a 2-CD set by Virtuosi /Pro Kuhmo (PK-0301).
Kuhmo, Finland has a chamber music festival in the summer, and this release might have been connected with performances there (the recordings were made in Kuhmo church).
The Kuhmo music society comprises about 300 members, and one wonders if the CDs were essentially manufactured in a small run essentially for members and attendees at the festival.
A few months back I saw the set for sale, but unfortunately the PC on which that page was viewed succumbed to a Trojan and the browsing history is no longer available.
Below is the best information I have been able to find on this recording. It's from Viola.
Author: Melartin, Erkki, comp.
The book: [quartets, strings, No. 1, op36, No. 1 in E minor]
Title: String Quartet no. 1 in E minor, Op. 36 / 1 [recordings].
Composer Year: d1896
Published: p2003.
Duration (ttmmss): 002 323
Presenters: Meta4 Quartet. Members: Pensola, Minna (violin). Tikkanen, Antti (violin). Nylund, Eriikka (viola). Djupsjöbacka, Tomas (cello).
Contents: Parts: 1 Allegro (7'25); 2 Menuetto scherzando (3'05); 3 Andante (7'39); 4 Finale (Presto) (5'14).
Event Time and place: r2003, Kuhmo Church.
Materials: included in the phonogram
ISRC: FIPK30300001
FIPK30300002
FIPK30300003
FIPK30300004
Keywords: quartets - string instruments - Finland - 1890's (music)
Other classifications: 78.5132 (KAB)
Other (s) of author (s): Meta4, tells you.
In: the String Quartets. - Pro Kuhmo PK0301. -2CD-Audio disc [recordings]. - Disc 1, tracks 1-4
*****************************
Author: Melartin, Erkki, comp.
The book: [quartets, strings, No. 2, op36, No. 2, G minor]
Title: String Quartet no. 2 in G minor, Op. 36 / 2 [recordings].
Composer Year: d1900
Published: p2003.
Duration (ttmmss): 003 109
Presenters: Melartin Quartet. Members: Smith, Blue (violin). Tammisola, Seila (violin). Tit, Anni (viola). Lehto, Thomas (cello).
Contents: Parts: 1 Allegro (9'33); 2 Adagio (7'02); 3 Intermezzo (Allegro robustamente) (6'54); 4 Recitativo (Andante) - Final (Allegro risoluto) (7'40).
Event Time and place: r2003, Kuhmo Church.
Materials: included in the phonogram
ISRC: FIPK30300011
FIPK30300012
FIPK30300013
FIPK30300014
Keywords: quartets - string instruments - Finland - 1900-1909 (music)
Other classifications: 78.5132 (KAB)
Other (s) of author (s): Melartin Quartet, tells you.
In: the String Quartets. - Pro Kuhmo PK0301. -2CD-Audio disc [recordings]. -, Disc 2, tracks 1-4
*************************************
Tekijä: Melartin, Erkki, säv.
Teos: [Kvartetot, jouset, nro 3, op36, nro 3, Es-duuri]
Nimeke: String quartet no. 3 in E flat op. 36/3 [Äänite].
Sävellysvuosi: d1902
Julkaistu: p2003.
Kesto (ttmmss): 002423
Esittäjät: Meta4-kvartetti. Jäsenet: Pensola, Minna (viulu). Tikkanen, Antti (viulu). Nylund, Eriikka (alttoviulu). Djupsjöbacka, Tomas (sello).
Sisältö: Osat: 1. Allegro moderato (5'06) ; 2. Presto - Fuuga - Presto (4'01) ; 3. Andante - Allegretto - Andante (2'24) ; 4. Intermezzo (3'03) ; 5. Adagio - Andantino - Adagio (3'34) ; 6. Scherzo - Trio (6'15).
Tapahtuman aika ja paikka: r2003, Kuhmon kirkko.
Aineisto: sisältyy äänitteeseen
ISRC: FIPK30300005
FIPK30300006
FIPK30300007
FIPK30300008
FIPK30300009
FIPK30300010
Asiasanat: kvartetot --jousisoittimet --Suomi --1900-1909 (musa)
Muita luokituksia: 78.5132 (ykl)
Muu(t) tekijä(t): Meta4, esitt.
Julkaisussa: String quartets. - Pro Kuhmo PK0301. -2CD-äänilevyä [Äänite]. - , levy 1, raidat 5-10
*************************************************
Author: Melartin, Erkki, comp.
The book: [quartets, strings, No. 4, op62, F major]
Title: String Quartet no. 4 in E op.62 / 1 [!] [Recordings].
Composer Year: d1910
Published: p2003.
Duration (ttmmss): 002 526
Presenters: Melartin Quartet. Members: Smith, Blue (violin). Tammisola, Seila (violin). Tit, Anni (viola). Lehto, Thomas (cello).
Contents: Parts: 1 Moderato (8'08); 2 Scherzo - Allegro vivace (6'04); 3 Andante (6'27); 4 Andante - Allegro (4'47).
Event Time and place: r2003, Kuhmo Church.
Materials: included in the phonogram
ISRC: FIPK30300015
FIPK30300016
FIPK30300017
FIPK30300018
Keywords: quartets - string instruments - Finland - 1910 (music)
Other classifications: 78.5132 (KAB)
Other (s) of author (s): Melartin Quartet, tells you.
In: the String Quartets. - Pro Kuhmo PK0301. -2CD-Audio disc [recordings]. -, Disc 2, tracks 5-8
They should be available here:
http://www.fuga.fi/detail.php?id=6419369990961 (http://www.fuga.fi/detail.php?id=6419369990961)
His Violin Concerto and Sleeping Beauty Suite are exquisite.....
I've only heard the violin concerto once, was disappointed by the first string quartet the one time I heard it, but adore the symphonies especially from no.3 on (but the first two stick happily and imaginatively and positively in the mind too.) Remarkable "find" (and taught by another of my favorites ;) )
Hi all
I am gratified to read all the posts on this thread regarding the music of Erkki Melartin. As you can see from the opening post, I started this thread and have a very high regard for this composer. His symphonies are wonderful and I naturally share FBerwald's opinion of the VC - it is most definitely "exquisitive" and remains one of my favourite VCs! I am not however, I am a little ashamed to say, familiar with his string quartets and I thank the members of this forum for drawing my attention to these works.
cheers
Dennis.
QuoteBy the way, I have some works by Melartin from Finnish Radio broadcasts that have never been recorded commercially -- I'll upload them to the forum as soon as I get a chance.
Uploads complete. See the Finnish Music folder in the Downloads section.
I've added a string trio by Melartin to the Finnish Music collection.
ah. there's recordings of the Melartin string trio (that I know of- there might be more than one trio) on Ondine by, I think, the Trio Echnaton (Wolfram Brandl , Sebastian Krunnies and Frank-Michael Guthmann- I think because the listing I have gives lots of works and lots of performers, but this seems the only string trio in the mix...) and a noncommercial Finnish radio reel-to-reel with Jorma Rahkonen, violin ; Mauro Pietikainen, viola and Veikko Hoyla, violoncello (Melartin opp.133 and 67/1). However, haven't heard any recording of it at all- thanks! The manuscript has been sort of uploaded (not by me, of course) to IMSLP but because of the 1930 date may not be accessible in the US...
I posted this at Sidney's site, too, but maybe some member from UC is interested and can offer help?
Some time ago I recorded a short piece by Erkki Melartin from a Finnish radio station. It was called "Pohjolan Häät". While Pohjola means something like "Northland", häät means "wedding." The announcer also told us that this was an overture (alkusoitto).
I found two links relating to that piece:
http://koti.mbnet.fi/hjp/Melartin/EMop179.pdf (http://koti.mbnet.fi/hjp/Melartin/EMop179.pdf)
This states that "Pohjolan häät" was written in 1902 and belongs to the category of incidental music.
I tried to make an automatic translation but I couldn't understand much. The author assumes that the high opus number is either a mistake or the old and sick composer wanted to give the impression that he was still active by giving a high opus number to an early work.
But the Finnish Music Information Center has these two entries:
http://www.fimic.fi/fimic/nuotisto.nsf/0/7A175A9DB0F6E898C225687E002ADA19?opendocument (http://www.fimic.fi/fimic/nuotisto.nsf/0/7A175A9DB0F6E898C225687E002ADA19?opendocument)
(This means the incidental music written in 1902)
http://www.fimic.fi/fimic/nuotisto.nsf/0/EE302B00562AA098C225687E002ADDA7?opendocument (http://www.fimic.fi/fimic/nuotisto.nsf/0/EE302B00562AA098C225687E002ADDA7?opendocument)
(This means an orchestral overture which was written in 1929)
I am not sure if the two works are related. Is it possible, that Melartin reworked earlier material in 1929 and gave it the opus number 179? Or did he simply extract the overture from the early incidental music and presented it as an autonomous work?
Perhaps we have some Finnish speaking members here? :)
Mathias
Eric: you're good at sleuthing. Would you be able to help us out, please?
I'll try. I see that Tawaststjerna in Sibelius: Volume I, 1865-1905, (chapter "The Second Symphony", page 256; Faber & Faber translation by Robert Layton, 1976) mentions that the 1902 version was conducted by Sibelius April 9 1902 (in the same concert as the premiere of the first version of Sibelius' cantata The Origin of Fire). He describes the Melartin work as as "(his) setting of Erkko's dramatic poem, Wedding in Pohjola."
There is what looks like it might be a 2000s? biography and discography - "Erkki Melartinin sävellykset" - of Melartin by Heikki Poroila published by Suomen musiikkikirjastoyhdistys ? that might shed more light on this question (... I hope.) (Which refers one back alas to Finnish-speakers and those with access to the source material - apologies.) Good news: the work catalog that's part of her book is readable for free here (http://koti.mbnet.fi/hjp/Melartin/Melartin.html). That may be one of the sources already mentioned so far- will check... Ah yes. I see it's the first source Britishcomposer mentioned... sorry!
Well, that was quick! Thanks!
Calling all Finnish speakers (unfortunately a non-Indo European language, so I can't even make an educated guess)!
From the catalogue of Melartin's compositions, very quick and rough:
In February 1902, Melartin was commissioned to write music for the play Pohjolan häät ("Wedding at Pohjola"), to be performed at the opening festivity of the new theatre building of the Finnish National Theatre in the following April. Melartin's music has a purely accompanying role, as there is neither an independent overture nor interludes.
Melartin added a sixty page overture at the last moment, but it could not be played until the third performance, because of the poor work done by the copyist.
"One does not hear Finnish music in it, apart from a few dance tunes; otherwise Finnish music has been lifted on such a modernist pedestal that it often sounds like neo-Italian" (Critic Oskar Merikanto, Päivälehti, 15 April 1902)
Melartin reworked the Overture so as to include it in his composition concert [...] Another piece, "Valon tarina" [Story of Light] for male choir and orchestra was performed at the concert as well. On the other hand, Melartin's plans to put together a separate suite after the style of Sibelius' Karelia-suite and Scénes Historiques seem to have come to nothing. But he included a separate song, "Pohjanneidon ylistys" ("In praise of Pohjola's Daughter") in opus 21 [21:3 in Nya sånger [New songs; Lindgren 1903)]
Opus number 179 is either an attempt, by an ill and tired composer, to keep up the appearance of productivity, or else a mistake.
"In praise of the Maiden of Pohjola" would be a more accurate title for Melartin's song, I suppose. Plenty of Sibelius, lately :)
Thank you all very much! :D
So Melartin reworked the overture later but it is not said when exactly.
As I said before, fimic (http://www.fimic.fi/fimic/nuotisto.nsf/wteokset?readform&tekija=Melartin,%20Erkki (http://www.fimic.fi/fimic/nuotisto.nsf/wteokset?readform&tekija=Melartin,%20Erkki)) has two entries for Pohjolan häät, one describing the 1902 incidental music, the other the overture. fimic states that it was written in 1929. So this may be simply the date of revision. Or the person who made this catalogue has been mislaid by the high opus number - which on the other hand isn't mentioned... Strange. :-\
Pohjolan häät (1902), 2222 4331 21 1, str, kantele, chx, FIMIC 14583
Alkusoitto " Pohjolan häät" (1929) dur. 7', 2222 4331 11 1, str, FIMIC 14538
Fimic says that the Overture was "first performed" in 1929 with Ossian Fohström as conductor and that it's different from the overture in the music for the play "Pohjolan häät". So the new work might be a revision of a revision, if the overture was included in Melartin's first composition concert in 1903 (in which case it cannot have received its first performance in 1929). There's a master's thesis, by Tuire Ranta-Meyer, a Finnish specialist on Melartin, on Melartin's work 1896-1903, which might throw some light here. If I find the time, I might consult it, as soon as it is made available.
Thanks, anssik.
Thanks indeed! :)
I had overlooked the entry of the first performance at Fimic because its written in such a user-unfriendly way: 19291201. A couple of hyphens would have been nice.
If you don't mind, anssik, keep track!
I think it likelier they are unrelated works on the same subject.
The new editions of the scores of symphonies 3, 4 and 5 can be seen at http://www2.siba.fi/Melartinseura/?page=dokumentit (http://www2.siba.fi/Melartinseura/?page=dokumentit)
...
I had to go check before putting foot in mouth. it looks like it... the whole scores, and editorial prefaces, downloadable? that's a thing for you. appreciated. much appreciated. (... I'm guessing that they frown on redistribution even with full attribution and linking to the original page. There are a number of sites that have bots that will just grab and redistribute with no asking and no attribution anycase of any kind, as I well know, and in some cases charge people even for other stuff that's public-domain materials if they're fool enough to pay for it, but that's a tangent not related- sorry... )
My thanks for their hard work editing, and I know it is hard work...
Unfortunately the prefaces are in Finnish only at the moment. Interesting thing is that 4th Symphony was performed in 1923 in Berlin. Orchestra in that performance was Berlin Philharmonic!
I too have discovered the joys of the Melartin symphonies, although I feel the Ondine recordings unsatisfactory. Does anyone know if any other conductor or record compamy has plans to record them? I am surprised the enterprising Mr Jarvi senior has never recorded them.
well, also, as I think noted above, the Ondine recs. of the symphonies are of cut versions for at least some of the 6- a performance of the 3rd symphony in a version much closer to the composer's intentions was broadcast (and can I think maybe still be found in our Downloads Archives). I hope all 6 of the symphonies will be recorded and released commercially using the new Melartin Society editions, though I doubt this would happen soon... (I even enjoy the Ondine symphony recordings a lot, for myself, and am sure enough that I'd enjoy such a set even more.)
Quote from: atterbraga on Monday 04 November 2013, 15:58
I too have discovered the joys of the Melartin symphonies, although I feel the Ondine recordings unsatisfactory. Does anyone know if any other conductor or record compamy has plans to record them? I am surprised the enterprising Mr Jarvi senior has never recorded them.
I agree with your post! The problem is, Jarvi is now getting up there in years and there is a lot of music I and others would still love to see him record. Love your username by the way! Atterberg and Braga Santos are two of my favorite composers!
I love all the Melartin symphonies, but no. 4 really stands out for me. It is one of the most beautiful, atmospheric works I know, with a life-affirming quality that reflects the unbridled joy of a Nordic summer. The wordless solo voices used in the third movement (shades of Nielsen's Espansiva) are quite haunting. The dark, stormy Symphonies 5 and 6 provide excellent contrast to the 4th.
Ditto. Atterberg is quite amazing and I enjoy Braga Santos immensely.
Quote from: Dave on Thursday 07 November 2013, 00:27
Ditto. Atterberg is quite amazing and I enjoy Braga Santos immensely.
Yes, Atterberg's Symphony no. 3 and Braga Santos' Symphony no. 4, in particular, were amazing discoveries for me and are among my all-time favorite pieces of music! :)
Same here, although I have a tremendous warm spot for both Atterberg's and Braga Santos' Second Symphonies. These composers were natural symphonists (as Tubin was in particular, come to think of it).
:)
Speaking of Melartin, Rasilainen would be a nice choice in doing the Finn's symphonies, since he is mighty strong in bringing out the structural integrity of a piece coupled with his penchant for detail voicings (rather like Bernstein, but with less idiosyncrasy). What orchestra would do the honors in that journey is the question. From what I understand, the Finnish orchestras were not interested in recording Melartin's symphonies the first time round and Tampere decided to engage in the project, but with reluctance. Rasilainen may have to go international on this one (as he did with Atterberg's music, which surprised me at first). Authentic/complete performing editions may be another issue.
Segerstam is also worth thinking about here.
What would members think of Segerstam leading the symphonies?
I have always thought the recording of Symphony 2 was quite the missed opportunity and that the symphony contains the kind of music that Segerstam conducts well. I think his Suite lyrique 3 is a success.
Finnish orchestras are heavily subsidized by government entities (national, state and city) and feel committed to very new music by subsidized composers. I think overall it's a good thing because their orchestras and composers are well taken care of. Much better than in Melartin's time.
Alba Records might be the company to do a new complete Melartin symphonies; Ondine, I take it, is unlikely to engage in such a project, as they already have their "complete symphonies" on the market, albeit an incomplete one, as it has turned out. Petri Sakari and Turku Philharmonic Orchestra recorded Aarre Merikanto's three symphonies for Alba. THey did wonderful job, and I see no reason why they couldn't excel in Melartin as well; to be sure, Merikanto's idiom is mostly quite unlike Melartin, but Sakari has done reliable Sibelius for Naxos and excellent Madetoja for Chandos, so why not? Segerstam is currently the chief conductor of the Turku orchestra, and would no doubt excel in Melartin as well; the Ondine recording containing Melartin's Violin Concerto, Lyric Suite No. 3 and incidental music for the Sleeping Beauty is utterly charming. I do have one special hope: should there ever be a new take on Melartin's symphonies, this should definitely include the existing material for his 7th symphony as well.
Why another run-through of these symphonies. Aren't the Ondine discs sufficient? If I were CEO of a recording label I would, unless I had unlimited funds to do so, find something else to put on my discs. I cannot imagine much of a market for a second set of Melartin symphonies.
We discussed the Melartin 7th elsewhere. Erkki Salmenhaara tried and there's just nothing usable, just faint and confused sketches by a very sick composer.
No one in Finland has any plans to record the Melartin symphonies, unfortunately.
Stamford- have a listen to the recording of the complete and uncut 3rd symphony in our archives and compare with the recording on Ondine. There probably isn't the market for a 2nd set, but one may be allowed to regret this fact and not find the Ondine set quite sufficient, as the recordings were, among other things, based on somewhat damaged musical material, as I understand (I may not be conveying properly or understanding exactly.)
The revised scores and (Finnish-language I think) prefaces to them can, I think, be downloaded (for individual use, not wide broadcast- I doubt they're public domain :) ) be downloaded from a website of the Melartin Society- someone posted the link awhile back, I may have reposted it to the Melartin IMSLP category and will see if I can find it...?
Or am I being too picky? Not being sarcastic!!!