Erkki Melartin: Traumgesicht - Marjatta - Blue

World prèmiere recordings of three orchestral works by Erkki Melartin (1875-1937), one of the most influential Finnish composers and symphonists of the early 20th century. Traumgesicht is an Impressionistic symphonic poem written in 1910. Later Melartin considered it as one of his most important works. The work lied unperformed for 81 years until Hannu Lintu brought it back to light by conducting it in Helsinki in 2013. Marjatta (1914), ""A Legend from Kalevala"", is based on the Finnish national epic and bears hints to Sibelius Luonnotar - both works were originally written for the same singer. The solo part of the work is here sung by the celebrated soprano Soile Isokoski. Music for the ballet The Blue Pearl, completed in 1930, was one of the last major works written by Melartin and, surprisingly, the first full-length ballet written in Finland. Although the ballet music was popular in its own time the work gradually fell into oblivion. Conductor Hannu Lintu has adapted the music of the ballet into a 8-movement concert suite.