"What news from the north?" (Violins galloping around, straight from Finland!)

[Ethel Duath]

Or anyway, the music is from Finland! Can't you just hear the Riders of Rohan?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxfsiiGZ23E&playnext=1&list=PL7D76253897D115B7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxfsiiGZ23E&playnext=1&list=PL7D76253897D115B7


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a1X-kgDXY8w/SS-eCtQTmjI/AAAAAAAAApQ/vhwnB9BFaWA/s400/David+Oistrakh.jpg


I love the haunting first movement, too, but it is very long, and I couldn't find a satisfactory version.

(The orchestra's from Stockholm and the violinist is from Russia. The picture is distracting--there are better ones--see last link. Sort of a connection too, because of Tolkien's interest in Finland's language and the Kalevala. [This is by a Finnish composer]).

 

[dernwyn]

Very emotive music. That galloping percussion does sound like thundering hooves, doesn't it!

This is one of his which I've not heard before; thanks for the link, Ethel! []

 

[Ethel Duath]

this is the only piece of his I really like. And like many violinists, I don't just like it a little: I find it takes me out of this world entirely--and sets me down in the middle of the woods in Finland somewhere, with a lot of wind blowing around . . .[] I'm still trying to find a decent youtube of the first movement . . .

 

[Idril Celebrindal]

If I could pick a historical composer to compose music for Tolkien's writing, it would be Sibelius. I think it's because they're both strongly influenced by those stirring northern sagas and legends.

 

[Ethel Duath]

made me think of things in a "Tolkienish" sort of vein. The first movement, though (the one I had trouble finding on Youtube)), really evokes Finland to me--at least the version of it Americans think of--wind blowing through huge stretches of pine trees with Northern lights flickering around . . .

But when I ran across the last movement again the other day, Rohan came instantly to mind, and I thought how Sibelius would have been the perfect composer if someone could have made a good live-action Lotr 40 years ago.

 

[Eowyn of Penns Woods]

like Howard Hanson, who was influenced by Sibelius. His "Romantic" (Symphony #2) is better-known, but I heard his "Nordic" (Symphony #1) on the radio and spent three years searching music stores for the CD (Gerard Schwarz & The Seattle Symphony Orchestra). I heard Tolkien's stories in it, and it haunted me that much. I had no idea he'd also composed a Lament for Beowulf. His former students had some interesting stories about him, too.

If only the two could have met...

 

[GAndyalf]

Sounds awesome! Now to acquire the means of acquiring the music! LIP

 

[Eowyn of Penns Woods]

reviews of my CD at amazon.com, and while I loved Sam A. Juliano III's gushing over "Nordic", this bit at the end really jumped out:

The "used" and "like new" prices for this are beyond insane. Obtaining this CD is the 'steal' of 'steals.'

He posted that in July of 2007. Right now I see: 10 new from $22.95, and 22 used from $4.90...clicking reveals that it's from $22.95 to $83.00! for new, and from $4.90 to $15.85 for used. Holy cr*p, I'm glad I found mine when I did and that I ripped that puppy for mp3 conversion to spare the wear and tear!

 

[GAndyalf]

to recognise a treasure before the price reflects it! [] Well done!

 

[Eowyn of Penns Woods]

 

[GAndyalf]

I still haven't got an mp3 player of any variety. Mostly cause it would cost a small (well, NOT so small!) fortune to acquire anywhere near the amount of music I'd want.

 

[Ethel Duath]

He was the head of my music school when a family member was there in the early 50's and up until 2 years before I got there. He came back more than once and conducted the student orchestra I was in for that very symphony! I will play it for you (dashes around from one instrument to the next trying to get to the next melody in time . . .[shocked][crazy][sly])

I have a very funny Hanson story for anyone who wants to P.M me . . .

 

[Eowyn of Penns Woods]

playing saxophone and never taking up strings...and being born in the wrong time. This is one of them. =)

If you've got a story, I'm listening!

 

[Ethel Duath]

And no wrong instrument! I'd like to play oboe, but I can't get my upper lip to grow long enough!! [tongue] I shall send you my story (the joke was on me as much as anyone . . . [shocked][crazy]). [cool]