Vladimir Ashkenazy on the Path of Jean Sibelius
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2015
- In spring 2015, Vladimir Ashkenazy travelled to Finland to follow in the footsteps of Jean Sibelius.
Join the conductor as he journeys to the heart of Sibelius’ music and explores the country that inspired the world-renowned composer.
Discover the rest of our videos about the piano here: • The Piano (Philharmoni...
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This is the Philharmonia Orchestra's first long-form documentary. This feature was co-produced by Sibelius 150.
The Philharmonia is a world-class symphony orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
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This little doc is such a jewel! Sibelius + Ashkenazy: I can't ask for more
I wish the Philharmonia had done mini documentaries like this with Sir Esa-Pekka...
Hi Emma! Here's a few videos we did with Esa-Pekka: th-cam.com/users/PhilharmoniaLondonsearch?query=esa-pekka
Enjoy!
Vladimir Ashkenazy once said, that he never really wanted to conduct, but he is terribly good at it.🤩
Mr Ashkenazy you don't need to put anything into words. You are a beautiful soul and of course you connect with Sibelius. You have given us some of the best performanances of Sibelius' music. How wonderful and humble you are.
This music helped me throug my unhappy teenage years. I love this documentary. Thanks!
I share your sentiment. I found much solace as a child in repeatedly listening to his violin concerto.
I heard the music of Sibelius as a young child in India. My father had brought cases of music-records in which all his symphonies, violin concerto string quartet were there. Several decades later I made the pilgrimage to Finland, his home etc. The film for me brought out the quality of pilgrimage into his musical cosmos - for anyone who falls in love with his music embarks on this incredible elemental journey not just into forests and water but that special kind of light : No extra note - every note must live : Sibelius is forever
Beautiful memories - thank you for sharing!
Thank you for the film!
Simphony no. 4, The heroic Finlandia, The Swan of Tuonella, incidental music Pelleas et Melisande and The Storm, is my faforite for all time. He was a very special composer in a unique way from 20th cencury, in my opinion. 👍🙏
My last ever concert with my late Dad - Sibelius No 5.
Thank you for ending this beautiful film on those eternal chords
I was looking up about Vladimir and found this about Sibelius! I love that V loved Sibelius as well! What a wonderful discovery!
5:50 "You have lit a candle in the world of music that will never go out" : Ralph Vaughan Williams in a letter to Sibelius having just heard the latter's 7th Symphony for the first time.
I like what you said here. RVW and Sibelius are two of my favorites. I think that makes perfect sense. Coming from different places, they wrote different music, but what Ashkenazy says of Sibelius I think is true of Vaughn Williams. More than just descriptive, they express the experience of identification with those places and feelings. Being alive, in a given place and time. They were both really colorful, and it's interesting that they both connected with hymns, church music, even if not devout themselves.
Karelia suite was the best work in my humble opinion I have listed to that piece thousands of times over the last 45 year absolutely love it.
Thirty years ago, I cycled through Finland and really loved it. With the sun never setting and camping I met some very intelligent, witty people that I can laugh about to this day. I never thought about Sibelius at the time but can well understand now, where he was coming from.
It takes a lot of courage to play the piano in front of Ashkenazy, even if you play beautifully.
Sanjosemike
Mr. Ashkenazy's comments from 2:25 to 3:10 regarding Sibelius and nature, and his later comments about Sibelius's music representing a state of mind and NOT depiction, show that he truly understands and feels this music. I found his observations sincere, thought-provoking, and moving.
+Matt D Yes, this resonated strongly with me as well, articulating what I have sensed in Sibelius' work. He shows, perhaps more than any composer, a strong sense of what Rudolf Otto called 'the numinous' or what Longinus (and later Burke) called 'the sublime'. Humanity is a part of nature, but not at the centre (rather, there is no centre, only an excess of nature's splendour, of which we are a part). In spite of my own musical training, it is still a mystery how he did it...
I like to think that perhaps because I am a Canadian, I can identify with the emotional music of northern countries.
Sibelius has always been my favourite composer with the many colours of his music as well as the seasons a;; of which shape our lives.
Thank you so much for this upload.
I love Sibelius, and Ashkenazy too.
dan gabriel We do, too!
Ashkenazy is very great.. and modest, I think his modesty makes him great..
There's a lot here for those whose views on Mr. Sibelius are neutral or even negative because they have heard only a handful of his works and/or poor performances. Many thanks to Maestro Ashkenazy and the Finns he visited for giving music lovers everywhere so much to think and dream about.
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We're glad this film was meaningful to you.
Mr. Ashkenazy you are the most poetic pianist. I listen to a lot piano music. I heard you once live in Boston. I love the you play Brahms. Your playing made me love Rachmaninov. I hope you live forever and play music forever and ever
I love Sibelius's piano music. For me it was a wonderful rediscovery.
Hi everyone! We hope you're enjoying the film! Let us know what you think!
Philharmonia Orchestra (London, UK) Beautiful documentary! Thank you so very very much! Sibelius and Maestro Ashkenazy’s thoughts share how touched he is to his music!
And I wish I could hear Philharmonia LIVE!!!
What a beautiful film. Thank you so much for creating this.
Fantastic documentary, thank you. 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks indeed, I found myself once more on the Path of Jean Sibelius...
asimuysal You're very welcome. Glad you liked it!
I cried the first time I heard a live performance of the Sibelius Fifth.
Me too. Just started crying again thinking about it.
I'm going to see his 2nd symphony next march, I'm gonna cry like a baby...
I heard all his symphonies on old scratched records in India as a child. My first live concert was hearing Sibelius's Fifth. I cried!
Valse Triste has that effect on me every time.
I cried the first time when I was born, they tell me.
This is absolutely beautiful, so valuable. Sibelius is a great gift to us. And we are fortunate to have a musician like Vladimir Ashkenazy to bring his music to life like very few can.
Fantastic document liked and favorited I love both Sibelius and Ashkenazy
Thank you very much for your kind words - we're really pleased you enjoyed it!
Thank you for this beautiful docmentary! Great to see Ashkenazy in my hometown in Hämeenlinna!
Julia Reinikainen Thanks for watching!
what a superb and moving production. I have loved Sibelius's works without really understanding why. Now I know..... thank you
What a wonderful man!
You people really are that blind and ignorant, aren't you?
(If you still have to deal with people here at all).
Great little documentary. I feel the same way about Sibelius as Vladimir does. You can really see his passion and enthusiasm for this music.
+Terrifying World Thanks for your nice feedback!
...beautiful
powerful
poetic
A great moment in my life today when watching this reportage. Went into tears for no reasons, mainly and may be because of my connection with Finland, music, nature and it touching my heart very deep. A revelation for sure, I knew I was very attached to Jean Sibelius's music and today words were put of this emotion and feelings. Thank you for sharing this wonderful moments with us. Best regards from Finland
Thank you so much for this lovely feedback on our film. We are so glad this was meaningful to you. Please do subscribe to the channel to keep up to date with all of our releases. Best wishes from London, Philharmonia Orchestra
Leave finland farener
What a treat! THANK YOU for making this beautiful documentary on one of the greatest and most inspirational composer in history. Beautifully done. Bravo!
Frank Camiola You're welcome! We're so glad you liked it. Please do share with others if you can.
Absolutely stunning documentary in every respect. A master reflecting on a master As the video neared its end, after hearing and exulting in the beauty of so many of Sibelius's works, I was utterly transported at 33:20, when the viewer leaves the conductor and orchestra playing the grand 5th Symphony and is suddenly awed by the vision of graceful birds soaring over the water.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We are thrilled that you were moved by this film.
I love Sibelius, and this documentary really was enjoyable. I love his violin concerto, and pretty much everything he wrote, but my ultimate favourite is Pohjola's Daughter. Just amazing music.
You might like to know that in Sibelius's time the Trumpeter Swan was a very rare bird in Finland. Now one can see hundreds at time on a regular cornfield in the autumns.
Love from sweden // swede-finn here
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I was so astonished to see this film was free to view. But I was even more astonished as the film progressed and came finally, sadly, to a close to find I had somehow unknowingly been following if not the path, the stream of Sibelius music along with dear Mr. Ashkenazy. A feeling, an impression as beautiful as the light sparkling on the waters. Deep deep thanks.
maryangeladouglas Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We're thrilled the film moved you and we hope you continue your own Sibelius path!
Philharmonia Orchestra (London, UK) Thank you dear Philharmonia Orchestra. I will! I have as so many deeply appreciated the path of music as well taken by Vladimir Ashkenazy his dear wife and family through tribulation into such jeweled light. The pure, sheer, crystalline interpretations of Mr. Ashkenazy are beautiful not only in their presentation but in the seeking heart beyond them that he seems always to have had (as if endowed by God) to find and to show forth the authentic spiritual intention of each composer. This is true in both his solo piano work as well as in the beautiful Philharmonia interpretations. I will say also on a lighter note I really laughed so hard and long at the anecdote about the misled brave concertgoer who cried Bravo a little prematurely and then "oops'. Very funny the way Mr. Ashkenazy related it.
It's virtually impossible to name a favourite work of all time, however "Kullervo" would certainly be up there in my top 5. Very few composers speak to me the way Sibelius does.
What a beautiful and inspiring document. Thank you so much.
Henryk Wieniawski Thank you for watching!
Gorgeous documentary and so interesting. Vladimir Askenazy shows he has a great love of Sibelius and respect for the composer, who,after all these years, still enchants all of us.
Så flott å høre om Jean Sibelius... kjempe fint...tusen takk
As a curiosity, the Steinway at Ainola shown here in film has extra marking "Makers". The Grand Piano was made as a special order for composer's 50th birthday 8th of december 1915 by fans of his music who had collected the required sum for the instrument. As it was very special order even for Steinway, so instrument was made as joint between the New York and Hamburg factories: New York made complete action, the "engine" of piano and Hamburg did soundboard, frame and case. The line "Makers" is extraordinary feature reserved by the company for very few instruments as a note for special delivery and rarity.
In 2016, when instrument had achieved over 100 years of age, it received new action from Steinway with old specifications. Reason for this was popular demand from visitors to have possibilities to play with instrument and as the hammers and dampers did not provided same full bodied sound and quality as back in days when sibelius played the instrument. Original action is also saved and stored as a piece of history.
This is so interesting! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you very much for sharing this marvellous documentary. It is so beautifully done . I very greatly appreciate it.
+Herbert Hall Thank you for watching! We're glad you enjoyed it.
I have endless respect for Vladimir Ashkenazy. I am a cellist by Profession. I worked under him briefly for a number of concerts in the early Spring of 1973. He played two concertos one night. I was only a few feet away in the cello section. He is so incredibly humble, his piano playing was absolutely incredible. So musical, so brilliant and he had such an exquisite sensitive touch. I heard him a number of times. He is an excellent conductor. I met him many years later and we had a chat. Thank you enormously for putting this video on youtube. Very many thanks !!!
+Herbert Hall Thank you! It's nice to hear about your experience.
Thank you very much for replying. I am extremely grateful.
How treasure it is...Thank you for sharing!! Very appreciated it!!!
+Bedene Rexhepaj We're so glad you enjoyed it! Do you have a favourite Sibelius piece?
Very sensitive and spontaneous film. Many thanks for this wonderful work.
Thank you for your comments!
I love this film! I am not musical myself, but Finlandia was the first orchestral work that got my attention, when I was in my teens. Probably it was because the mood was suited to my homeland in NW Oregon. Many Finns settled in that part of the USA perhaps because it felt like home to some degree.
I wish we could hear more of Ashkenazy's own voice...
Wow! Inspiring document! Thank you!
A wonderful film. I can hardly wait to get to the Festival at Lahti this year and to visit these special places connected with the great composer.
Elspeth Allan Steadman Thank you! Enjoy your trip to Finland!
Great stuff, and such a moving insight into the life of Sibelius
Pete Jones Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed it.
A wonderful experience.
Richard Warom Thank you for your positive feedback.
I really like this thank you maestro.
I wonder what kind of feelings he had when he played Sibelius' Steinway at Ainola. Even that the grand piano was out of tune, the feeling playing such unique instrument in such enviroment with spirit of composer around.
Great documentary, I love it! Ainola is very atmospheric place, every Sibelius fan should visit there if possible!
We agree - Ainola is a very special place that gives valuable insight into Sibelius and his work. Thank you for watching and for the lovely feedback.
Wonderful little documentary! Thanks so much!
Wonderful with great feeling!
You did teach me to know Sibelius better. Thanks!
Just loved it!!
Many thanks for this wonderful piece!
Gabriel Coronado Thank you for watching!
What a wonderful video this is!!!! Warm thanks!
A very nice documentary. Good idea to have credits shown on screen while the music is playing. Some of it is familiar, others not.
Great feedback - thank you for watching!
Thank you so much for this wonderful video, perfect music with amazing photography. really enjoyed it.
+davebournemouth Thank YOU for watching! We're so glad you like it.
Very good. Greetings from Finland.
TheBeastHole Kiitos!
Thanks for posting this, wonderful.
I am the reincarnation of the one you call Jean Sibelius. How I learned this is quite a story. But, even myself, the harshest of critics, have come to learn that this is factual. Ashkenazy, I adore you as you do me.
If I could only keep one documentary, this would be it ! Brian Oosterbeek Nederland.
Thank you for the lovely feedback.
Very interesting! Thank you.
Happy Birthday Sibelius, 151 years young! What's your favourite Sibelius piece? Do you have any memories of performances or recordings you love?
It's so hard to pick, but I'd have to say my favorites are the 6th Symphony and Pohjola's Daughter. The recordings of both these pieces from Neeme Jarvi and the Gothenburg Symphony are by far my favorite of all I've heard. As for memories of performances, I really haven't seen many because orchestras local to me rarely program Sibelius. But I performed the 5th Symphony once, in my University orchestra. There was no one in the hall for that concert since Bill Nye was giving a talk on campus that day, but somehow, that was still one of my favorite performances to date. I felt so connected with Sibelius' music that I've been inspired to study in Scandinavia and eventually join one of their orchestras (Gothenburg or bust!!!!!!)!
My first experience of Sibelius was actually a Dolby recording of 2nd Symphony by Ashkenazy. Maybe with the Philharmonia. It opened a New Sound World.
Very good,thank you! :)
MrMakemies You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
A most wonderful documentary, many thanks !! A small erratum: at 12:09 the caption says Op.5 No.5 which should be Op.101 No.5.
MIL GRACIAS
De nada!
Please let me tell you know about the most superlatif Vynil recording with Boris Belkin and Vladimir Ashkenazy of the Sibelius Violin Concerto Op.47 with the Philharmonia Orchestra from 1978 in the Kingsway Hall Londres (Decca).This should be your definitive Sibelius recording before you move into incredibly
rich and compelling music of Sibelius and his world of Natur -Ancient forests - Ruhns and Legend .Sibelius was Finland and all its Kultur .
And if you like this video, please subscribe to find out about more upcoming releases, straight to your inbox.
Jean is the patriotic composer for everybody who loves liberty and loathes tyrrany.
Viva Sibelius!
I think the romantique scene is the fifth composition of op 101.
It's funny to see and hear the Finnish guide to the maestro playing the piano, around 24:00, while the great pianist looks on!
Actualla as a curiosity the guide isn't just a guide: Mr. Korhonen actually has backround as a pianist and conductor and he was for many years a director of Finnish National Opera. He also lectured as a teacher many years in Sibelius Academy. He has also coached many years Savonlinna Opera Festival as also Zürich Opera in Switzerland. He serves as a board member for various European music festivals and as a jury member at numerous opera music competitions.
This Nature they speak of is the creation of God. I believe that it is his hand that chose the great composers and this one is special. I often ask myself , How did he do it? I always come up with the same answer
Good morning. I had a perplexity: the piano composition in the background would be ruled by the romantic scenes op 5. But I understand that the op 5 are the impromptus. Thank you very much. Good bye.
👍🏻🏴❤️
Excuse me: I would like to know the title of the first piano composition by Sibelius at the beginning of this video. The incipit of the initial rhythm reminds me of Erk Satie. Thank you very much .
Dear Renato, It's Sibelius's Valse Triste played by Vladimir Ashkenazy on Sibelius's piano at Ainola. // È il "Valse Triste" di Sibelius suonato dal maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy sul pianoforte di Sibelius nella sua casa, Ainola.
On Sibelius's piano? Marvelous! Nella casa dove soggiornò Sibelius se ho compreso bene, vero? Meraviglioso!
Dear Renato, yes, Maestro Ashkenazy is playing on Sibelius's own piano. It was a very special moment! Ainola was Sibelius's home for much of his life, until he died. It is about 45 minutes from Helsinki, near Lake Tuusula, and you can visit it (but not in the winter!). // Egregio Renato, sì, Maestro Ashkenazy sta suonando sul pianoforte di Sibelius. È stato un momento molto speciale! Ainola era la casa di Sibelius per gran parte della sua vita, fino alla sua morte. È circa 45 minuti da Helsinki, vicino al lago di Tuusula, e si può visitarla (ma non in inverno!). www.ainola.fi/eng_index.php
What's the name of the piece that starts around 5:50?
That is Sibelius's En Saga, Op. 9.
Please include English subtitles
24:18 can someone tell me, is he saying Sibelius did not write the Finlandia theme, but rather as a child his choir teacher wrote this melody?
Untrue. Scholars have researched this idea of him borrowing folk music themes in the way Stravinsky borrowed for say Patroushka. Sibelius came up with the S theme early in his career and used it multiple times with variation for each occasion. If you listen closely you will hear it, though in a slightly altered state, until the end of his composing.
no subtitles that's a pity
We're so sorry about this. It was a bit before we started making subtitles universal on all of our videos. Is there a particular part of the film you would like help with?
גם כן משלנו
I defy any true Sibelian to go Ainola and put their hand on the room heater there and not feel the great sorrow that seeps from the green glazed tiles. Over whelming experience for the Sibelian.
Bob Dylan is posing as Ashkenazy.
Que injusto!!, en este mundo si no entendes el idioma ingles te perdes de disfrutar de un montón de cosas!!, estoy harto!!
Please let me tell you know about the most superlatif Vynil recording with Boris Belkin and Vladimir Ashkenazy of the Sibelius Violin Concerto Op.47 with the Philharmonia Orchestra from 1978 in the Kingsway Hall Londres (Decca).This should be your definitive Sibelius recording before you move into incredibly
rich and compelling music of Sibelius and his world of Natur -Ancient forests - Ruhns and Legend .Sibelius was Finland and all its Kultur .