Ausgabe für Streichquartett (2 Violinen, Viola, Violoncello), Partitur und Stimmen.
The
Andante festivo is one of the most popular orchestral works by Jean
Sibelius. Few are, however, aware that it was originally written for
string quartet at around the same time as the sixth symphony. The
Andante festivo was then performed in amateur academic circles from
duplicated and hand-made copies, and was given its first semi-public
performance at the wedding of one of Sibelius's relatives at the German
Church in Helsinki. Sibelius was present on the occasion, which
presumably inspired him to re-arrange it for string orchestra and
timpani ad lib.
This latter version, which is now the better
known of the two, was published in 1939 and has been preserved in a
unique recording with the composer himself conducting. On 1 January 1939
Sibelius conducted it in a broadcast to the United States as Finland's
greeting to the world fair then being held in New York. Its festive,
seamless, singing melody looks ahead to the idiom of the sixth and
seventh symphonies. Apart from the jubilee book, the original version of
the Andante festivo for string quartet has never been published before.
The quartet version differs from the later one for string orchestra not
only in that it lacks a double bass, but also in that the final chords
are in a low register on the violins as well. This edition is based on
Sibelius's original manuscript.
Komponist: Jean Sibelius.
Ausgabe: Partitur und Stimmen.
Verlag: Fennica Gehrman F1409002.