The Bard (Sibelius)

The Bard, Op. 64, is a brief tone poem for orchestra composed in 1913 by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It was first performed in Helsinki in 1913, but the composer revised it in 1914.Kennedy, Michael (2006), The Oxford Dictionary of Music, 985 pages, ISBN 0-19-861459-4

It was premiered in England in a broadcast conducted by Adrian Boult in 1935. The first public performance was given by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1938.

The tone poem itself provides a profound, yet cryptic, glimpse of an elegiac, poetic world: an initial, harp-led stillness and reflection are succeeded by elemental, eruptive surges and, finally, a sense of renunciation or maybe death.

Recordings

The piece has been recorded by Adrian Boult and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

References

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