Romanticism Modernism | Strauss, Sibelius, Wolfe (S4 | E207)
Appreciation for Mitchell Nochlin, the sponsor of our fun this week. Mitch nabbed two patron seats to a dress rehearsal at The New York Philharmonic early (10:00 a.m. early? really?) on a Thursday morning. We witnessed composer Julia Wolfe work with the artists, heard a bit of soprano Miah Persson (jeans, cool, accomplished) sing Strauss and got a tiny feel for the great symphony from Jean Sibelius, his Fifth in E flat Major.
Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82, is a celebrated orchestral work composed between 1914 and 1915, with subsequent revisions until 1919. Originally commissioned by the Finnish government for Sibelius’s 50th birthday, the symphony premiered on December 8, 1915, in Helsinki. It features three movements and is known for its majestic and heroic character, contrasting with the darker tones of his previous symphony. The first movement opens serenely with horn calls and develops through a series of themes that explore different rhythmic and harmonic ideas. The second movement adopts a theme-and-variations format, while the final movement builds to a powerful conclusion centered around a proud three-note motif. Despite being composed during World War I and amidst personal challenges, the symphony exudes a sense of triumph and determination, reflecting Sibelius’s mature style.
Julia Wolfe
Julia Wolfe is an acclaimed American composer known for her innovative and genre-defying music that blends elements of folk, classical, and rock. Born on December 18, 1958, in Philadelphia, Wolfe co-founded the influential music collective Bang on a Can in 1987 alongside Michael Gordon and David Lang. Her compositions are characterized by intense physicality and a relentless drive, often pushing performers to their limits. Wolfe’s work frequently explores themes of American labor history, as seen in her Pulitzer Prize-winning oratorio Anthracite Fields, which reflects on the coal mining communities of Pennsylvania. She has received numerous accolades, including a MacArthur Fellowship in 2016 and the Herb Alpert Award in Music in 2015. Wolfe serves as a professor of music composition at New York University and continues to produce works that challenge traditional boundaries, such as Fire in my mouth and Her Story, both of which delve into significant historical events and social issues
Romanticism Modernism | Strauss, Sibelius, Wolfe (S4 | E207)
Strauss, Sibelius, Wolfe | Lester the Nightfly Radio
ROMANTICISM
emphasis on emotional expression, individuality, and experimentation with form, reflecting broader trends in Romantic literature, art, and philosophy
MODERNISM
characterized by a radical departure from traditional musical conventions. This period was marked by experimentation and innovation, reflecting broader cultural and technological changes of the time.
| Song | Artist | Album | Year |
| New York New York | Leonard Bernstein | On the Town | 2022 |
| Fountain of Youth | Julie Wolfe | Detroit Symphony Orchestra | YouTube | 2019 |
| Frühling | Renée Fleming | Richard Strauss | Renée Fleming Four Last Songs | 2008 |
| New York New York | Leonard Bernstein | On the Town (Broadway Cast Recording) | 2015 |
| A Love Supreme | John Coltrane | A Love Supreme | 1965 |
| Movement 1: Tempo Molto moderato | Jean Sibelius | New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein | Sibelius Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major Op. 82 | 2017 |
| Movement 2: Tempo Andante Mosso | Jean Sibelius | New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein | Sibelius Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major Op. 82 | 2017 |
| Movement 3: Allegro moto – un pochettino largamente | Jean Sibelius | New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein | Sibelius Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major Op. 82 | 2017 |
Sticky Notes Podcast
A quick note of thanks to Joshua Weillerstein and his exhaustive work on Sibelius 5. Mr. Weillerstein is my go-to when it comes to getting smart about classical music. He never disappoints. STICKY NOTES PODCAST
