The Six Symphonies

Abstract

When it appeared in 1903, this symphony attracted attention as only the fourth symphony even written in Finland, preceded only by an 1897 symphony by one E. Mielck, and the first to symphonies by Jean Sibelius. Melartin, who was ten years younger than Sibelius but died twenty years earlier, was much overshadowed by his internationally famous compatriot. (Melartin's dates, by the way, are identical to those of Maurice Ravel, 1875-1937).

This symphony is a concise work of about twenty-six minutes in length, comprising the standard four movements, with a slow introduction to the first movement and the scherzo movement in third place. The harmonic language of the music is later romantic, not much different from that of Sibelius, but his formal procedures and musical textures are quite different. Melartin was much more interested than Sibelius in counterpoint, and his symphony uses polyphonic textures as a matter or course. There are also quotations from actual folk sources, a recourse to which Sibelius, despite the deeply "Finnish" nature of his music, never exercised in a symphony.

The first movement opens with a brief Adagio introduction, with full orchestral sounds, before settling into the main Allegro molto moderato ed energico tempo. The melodic material extensively uses octaves, fifths, and fourths, and thus recalls Anton Bruckner, a strong influence on Melartin's music. The first motive of the main theme is used throughout the symphony. The movement ends in the mood of a Mahler funeral march.

The second movement is delicately scored and rises to an impassioned climax. Although an opening triplet on kettledrums recalls Sibelius's First Symphony, the mood of the Scherzo is initially more Austrian than Finnish, until a Finnish folk song called "It was a fair summer evening" enters and becomes the basis for the rest of the movement. The finale contrasts and active first theme with a pastoral second subject.

© Joseph Stevenson, All Music Guide