J. Sibelius. Autograph letter signed, to an unidentified correspondent, 19 August 1913, about the tone poem "Luonnotar"

Jean Sibelius

Fine autograph letter signed ("Jean Sibelius"), to an unidentified correspondent, ABOUT THE TONE POEM LUONNOTAR, OP.70 

declining an invitation to conduct as he is busy at work on Luonnotar, noting that Aino Ackté has been practising her part since yesterday, explaining that he can't send the score earlier as it still remains in his head, apologising for writing in German, which is currently easiest for him, providing him with the full title of the work, and adding that Luonnotar 'is Creatrix - not Creator [trans.]'

...Ich schreibe jetzt an "Luonnotar". Frau Aino Ackte [sic] übt schon seit gestern an das Werk. Sie wird das Notenmaterial mitbringen. Leider kann ich die Partitur nicht früher senden, da die noch in meinem Kopfe ist...

3 pages, 4to (c.29 x 22cm), framed and glazed, with a reproduction portrait of the composer apparently mounted on the blank final page, Järvenpää, 19 August 1913; together with an autograph letter by Max Bruch of 18 March 1866, to Salvatore Marchesi, about Frithjof, 2 pages, with the autograph envelope and a modern typed translation

The tone poem Luonnotar, Op.70, for soprano and orchestra, a remodelling of the Kalevala creation story and the most determinedly Finnish of the composer's major compositions, was worked on by Sibelius chiefly in the summer of 1913, between the fourth and fifth symphonies. It was premiered by its dedicatee, the Finnish soprano Aino Ackté on 10 September 1913, at the Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester, the conductor being Herbert Brewer. Five days after the present letter, on 24 August, Sibelius sent the score to Ackté; on 3 September they rehearsed it together.

LITERATURE

TNG, xxiii, p.335