Lemminkäinen op. 22/4

If we take a close look at Sibelius’ Lemminkäinen , it would certainly be possible to regard this work as the composer’s Symphony no. “0,” since the early versions of these four tone poems go back to the years 1895/96, hence to the time preceding the 1st Symphony. It was not until 1954, however, that the self-contained, musical “novella” actually reached its completion, since this is when all four pieces were published together. Previously, Sibelius had had only two of the pieces printed; the other two had to spend 40 years in a drawer waiting for their big moment. Today we know that it was well worth it, for Lemminkäinen takes us on a journey into Finnish mythology, unfolds the full breadth of the Finnish landscape, and relates the adventures of Lemminkäinen and his safe and sound return to his mother.