Lemminkainen Suite (Four Legends of the Kalevala), Op. 22, No. 2: Swan of Tuonela Cover Image

Lemminkainen Suite (Four Legends of the Kalevala), Op. 22, No. 2: Swan of Tuonela: Full Orchestra, Solo Woodwind(s) with Ensemble, Conductor Score & Parts (EDWIN F KALMUS)

$60.00 USD

Lemminkainen Suite (Four Legends of the Kalevala), Op. 22, No. 2: Swan of Tuonela: Full Orchestra, Solo Woodwind(s) with Ensemble, Conductor Score & Parts (EDWIN F KALMUS)

Name: Lemminkainen Suite (Four Legends of the Kalevala), Op. 22, No. 2: Swan of Tuonela: Full Orchestra, Solo Woodwind(s) with Ensemble, Conductor Score & Parts (EDWIN F KALMUS)
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-A204302
Price: 60.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Jean Sibelius

Item: 36-A204302

$60.00

Shipped

One moment…

THE SWAN OF TUONELA (Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22, No. 2) was composed in 1895, revised in 1897, and again in 1900, by Jean Sibelius (1865–1957) as part of his Four Legends of the Kalevala, a symphonic cycle rooted in Finland's national epic. Drawn from the mythic tale of the hero Lemminkäinen, this movement depicts the mystical river encircling Tuonela, the Finnish land of the dead, over which a solitary swan glides in eternal stillness — a scene Sibelius renders through the work's iconic English horn solo and dark-hued orchestral palette. It received its premiere on April 13, 1897, in Helsinki under the direction of Robert Kajanus. Today THE SWAN OF TUONELA stands as one of Sibelius's most frequently performed orchestral works, admired for its atmospheric restraint, emotional depth, and haunting melodic writing, and remains a cornerstone of late-Romantic tone-poem repertoire. Instrumentation: 0.1+1(Solo EH).0+1(BCl).2: 4.0.3.0: Timp.Perc(1): Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set). Reprint edition.

Lemminkainen Suite (Four Legends of the Kalevala), Op. 22, No. 2: Swan of Tuonela: Full Orchestra, Solo Woodwind(s) with Ensemble, Conductor Score & Parts (EDWIN F KALMUS) isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.

No sample pages found.

No sample audio found.

No sample videos found.

Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

UPC: 605258857767

SKU: 36-A204302

Instrumentation: 0.1+1(Solo EH).0+1(BCl).2: 4.0.3.0: Timp.Perc(1): Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Jean Sibelius

Jean Sibelius (1865, 1957) shaped the sound of twentieth-century nationalism through his orchestral works, establishing Finland's musical identity at a time when the nation was asserting its cultural independence. His compositional voice combined late-Romantic harmonic language with a distinctive approach to orchestral color and structural clarity, making him one of the most performed symphonic composers in the concert hall.

Sibelius's mastery of the orchestra informed every decision he made as a teacher and mentor. His works for students and professionals alike demonstrate sophisticated understanding of ensemble balance, soloistic writing within larger textures, and the psychological weight of sparse orchestration, lessons that continue to reshape how conductors and composers think about timbre.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

This score captures one of the orchestra's most magical moments: a solo English horn singing over muted strings and harp, evoking an entire landscape of myth and mystery. Conductors return to it repeatedly because the piece demands complete ensemble control and sensitivity while rewarding restraint with profound beauty. It works as both a centerpiece and a perfect foil to more energetic repertoire.

What to expect

A journey across dark water under moonlight, where time feels suspended and a single voice carries eternal sorrow. The soundscape is cool, muted, and deeply introspective, with the English horn's swan song hovering above shadowed strings and the harp's gentle ripples suggesting an unseen current.

Who it's for

Advanced orchestras with a strong English horn soloist and disciplined string sections. This work rewards ensembles capable of playing at soft dynamic levels with precision and control, and it serves conductors seeking to develop their musicians' sensitivity to color and balance.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the English horn solo so it projects without forcing; the darkness of the surrounding orchestration should frame rather than bury the melody.
Shape the string accompaniment as a single sustained gesture rather than moment-to-moment changes; think of the river itself as your metric.
Give the solo woodwind entries (especially the bass clarinet) enough space to register their timbral shift without losing continuity.
Clarify the percussion writing, the timp roll and suspended cymbal should sit far back in the soundscape, present but never assertive.

How to use it

Program this as a contemplative interlude between larger works, particularly between dramatic or energetic pieces. It also opens concerts beautifully when audiences need time to settle into listening. The work's brevity and profound emotional impact make it ideal for highlighting your principal English horn and demonstrating your orchestra's dynamic range and ensemble discipline.