When I was a kid I always knew when real winter was coming because my Finnish father would break out the Sibelius records. If there is a gloomier composer than Jean Sibelius I haven't discovered him. Sibelius was the father of Finnish nationalism in the 19th century and his powerful, dark, neo-romantic symphonies helped his nation achieve a crucial sense of cultural autonomy while Finland was still under Russian rule.
But here's the thing: winter rolls in with icy rain and a full week of clouds and in my general view that's the time for the Bob Marley records. My dad went for an even more intense version of winter. I suspect his seasonal plunge into the darkest music was akin to the business of giving nervous people big cups of coffee. The darker the symphony the better my dad felt.
If you really want to try Sibelius out I recommend his justly famous violin concerto. He only wrote one violin concerto and it's a doozy. I recommend the recording by Pekka Kuusisto. We are not related as far as I know. In Finland, Kuusisto is a common name. But Pekka Kuusisto is an uncommon violinist.
Today however, what with the clouds and icy rain, I will take time to listen to Bob Marley. And maybe a little Louis Armstrong...
S.K.
"Finlandia" is one of my favorite tunes -- I especially like the hymn written to it, "This is my Song," which I first heard on 9/11. Here's the hyperlink for the lyric: http://ingeb.org/spiritua/thisisms.html.
In this kind of weather my favorite Bob Marley tune is "Lively Up Yourself." Even more, I favor James Brown. It's impossible to feel crummy after listening to The Godfather of Soul.
Heh! I feel good!
Georgia
Posted by: Georgia Whitney | November 30, 2006 at 11:52 AM
Hi Georgia,
I found a link to "Lively Up Yourself" just for you! It's now linked to Bob Marley's name in Steve's post.
Posted by: Connie | November 30, 2006 at 03:32 PM
This made me think of what my sister and I call our BGB (Bad German Brain) which controls even more in winter and yet we revel in it. Our weather had recently been in the balmy 60's and I was morose... It is now 22, dark and dreary and I suddenly feel happier! Maybe I'll see if I can find some Sibelius to add to the mood! :)
Posted by: Jennifer | November 30, 2006 at 04:36 PM
Ooohhh, Connie, that link was wonderful!!! Thanks!!!
Now, time for a little Satchmo...."and I say to myself, 'It's a wonderful world.'"
Georgia
Posted by: Georgia Whitney | November 30, 2006 at 05:08 PM
Steve, you don't think Gustav Mahler out-gloomies Sibelius?
Georgia
Posted by: Georgia Whitney | December 01, 2006 at 09:12 AM