I have been listening to Kirsten Flagstad in Sibelius songs and a Runeberg setting is buzzing in my head. 'Since then I have questioned no further' [1891-2]

The famous singer Ida Eckman sang this song to Brahms in Vienna and it pleased him so much that he insisted on hearing it again and played the piano accompaniment. Brahms said 'When we next meet you must sing more Sibelius than Brahms. Johannes very rarely praised the work of his contemporaries so this was a great tribute for Sibelius's song.--kp

How funny...I was reading about that JUST LAST NIGHT, and now you create a thread about it. Wow!

Did Brahms know any other Sibelius?

kullervopete wrote:

I have been listening to Kirsten Flagstad in Sibelius songs and a Runeberg setting is buzzing in my head. 'Since then I have questioned no further' [1891-2] The famous singer Ida Eckman sang this song to Brahms in Vienna and it pleased him so much that he insisted on hearing it again and played the piano accompaniment. Brahms said 'When we next meet you must sing more Sibelius than Brahms. Johannes very rarely praised the work of his contemporaries so this was a great tribute for Sibelius's song.--kp

I had read this story before (from Andrew B, perhaps? Can't remember), but couldn't remember what song it was. This certainly makes sense for it to be this song. It's very beautiful - I heard it on the Nupen Sibelius DVD and was suitably entranced.

In the new BIS Sibelius Songs box (BIS-CD-1918/20 - just being released internationally at the time of writing [Dec 08]) you also get to hear this song in a previously unheard sketch stage, without voice. Yet another insight into the way JS refined and improved his materials. I always think that hearing the motifs in a 'primitive', 'unready' context is hugely informative when you then come to listen to them in their final form - like a road map through Sibelius's thought processes.

Thanks Andrew for news of this exiting release. I am reminded of a quote from Sibelius himself. 'My songs can also be sung without words. They are not so independent on words as the songs of many other composers.--kp

Tapkaara wrote:

How funny...I was reading about that JUST LAST NIGHT, and now you create a thread about it. Wow! Did Brahms know any other Sibelius?

I have not come across any evidence that Brahms had heard any other music by Sibelius or indeed seen any of his early scores. Brahms of course died in 1897, sadly before Sibelius really began to flex his symphonic muscles.

We must remember that during Sibelius's stay in Vienna he remained largely unknown as a composer. Sibelius did have a letter of introduction to Brahms from Busoni. Most accounts that I have seen relate that Brahms refused to see Sibelius. However Sibelius told Karl Ekman that he did meet Brahms at a fashionable Cafe. Bengt de Torne in his great book 'Sibelius a close up' recalls the following remark from Sibelius 'Did you know that I met Brahms in Vienna? He always offered people cigars, but before meeting him I was told that one was not supposed to accept them'.

So I am ready to believe that despite Sibelius's disappointment in not seeing Brahms first time round, it seems that they did meet after all.--kp

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!