The Songs of Jean Sibelius - by Gustav Djupsjöbacka (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This is the first book to discuss the complete solo art songs of Jean Sibelius and to locate them in their musical, literary and artistic context. The book is organized around the poets Sibelius set to music and the literary themes associated with them, thus providing invaluable information for the scholar, student and performer. The musical and aesthetic contextualisation of the songs will help to enable new interpretations on the performance stage."--Back cover.

Book Synopsis

A landmark in Sibelius scholarship, this is the first book that presents all of Sibelius's solo art songs in their musical and aesthetic context. Indispensable for scholars and performers alike.

This is the first book to discuss the complete solo art songs of Jean Sibelius and to locate them in their musical, literary and artistic context. The book is organized around the poets Sibelius set to music and the literary themes associated with them, thus providing invaluable information for the scholar, student and performer. The musical and aesthetic contextualisation of the songs will help to enable new interpretations on the performance stage.

Review Quotes

Music historians and researchers of Scandinavian music and composers will enjoy the historical information, comparisons between Sibelius and his Scandinavian contemporaries, and discussions of Norse mythology and the folklore of the region. Djupsjöbacka provides a lens into works of Sibelius that may be overlooked in favor of his symphonies and also offers readers insight into his use of words, poetry, and language.-- "NOTES: THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE MUSIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION"