01. Jean Sibelius - Finlandia, op.26 [8'16]
02. Leevi Madetoja - Symphonic Suite, op.4 - I. Elegy [5'03]
03. Oskar Merikanto (orch. Panula) - Romance [4'36]
04. Oskar Merikanto (orch. Panula) - Valse lente [2'56]
05. Jean Sibelius - Valse triste, op.44 no.1 [4'36]
06. Heikki Aaltoila - Wedding Waltz of Akseli and Elina from 'Here Beneath a Northern Star' [3'17]
07. Heino Kaski - Prelude in G-flat major, op.7 [3'43]
08. - 12. Einojuhani Rautavaara - The Fiddlers, op.1 [7'52]
13. Toivo Kuula - Wedding March, op.3 no.2 [3'58]
14. Erkki Melartin - Festive March from 'Sleeping Beauty, op.22' [4'42]
15. Aulis Sallinen - Sunrise Serenade, op.63* [6'39]
16. Armas Järnefelt - Prelude for Orchestra [2'43]
17. Armas Järnefelt - Berceuse [3'03]
18.Uuno Klami - Sea Pictures - IV. Nocturno 'Song of the Watch' [2'57]
19. Taneli Kuusisto (orch. Panula) - Finnish Prayer [2'45]
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jorma Panula (excepting * Finnish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Okko Kamu)
Naxos 8.555773 (recorded 1995 & 1996; CD issued 2001)
(digital download; flacs, cover, inlay & booklet scans)
Recording venues: Turku Concert Hall & Tapiola Hall Espoo*, Finland
Recording engineers: Matti Heinonen; Producer: Michael Ponder
I suspect that the title of this collection might more accurately be 'Orchestral Favourites in Finland'. Although even there I can't imagine that Heikki Aaltoila or Erkki Melartin are exactly household names. Of course both of the Sibelius works are over-familiar worldwide but the others on this disc will generally give enjoyment to the enquiring listener. Even Rautavaara's early opus, The Fiddlers, seems to be a rare visitor to the recording studio.
Jorma Panula is also familiar as the conducting trainer of so many 'star' Finnish conductors and he displays his skills here. Quite why he doesn't get to conduct Sallinen's Sunrise Serenade (one of the more familiar works and Sallinen's Quiet City), I have no idea. Admittedly that fine Sallinen specialist, Okko Kamu, is in his element - but this performance is already released on a different Naxos disc.
Recording quality is fine and there are informative sleeve notes, even though the two prominent trumpeters in Sunrise Serenade aren't named anywhere in either issue.
Download from MEGA.