Jean Sibelius

Cantata for the Coronation of Nicholas II

The Cantata for the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II (in Finnish: ; sometimes referred to as Coronation Cantata (in Finnish: ) for short), JS 104, is a two-movement cantata for mixed choir and

Instrumentation#

The Coronation Cantata is scored for the following instruments and voices, organized by family (vocalists, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings): *Mixed choir () *1 flute (doubling on piccolo), 1 oboe, 2 clarinets, and 1 bassoon *2 horns, 2 trumpets, and 3 trombones *Bass drum, cymbals, and triangle *Violins (I and II), violas, cellos, and double basses

Structure#

The Coronation Cantata is in two movements. They are: The cantata remains in manuscript, although will eventually be published as part of the Jean Sibelius Works (JSW) critical edition, an ongoing collaborative project between the National Library of Finland, Breitkopf & Härtel, and the Sibelius Society of Finland. (Begun in 1996, the series is projected at 52 volumes and will eventually cover all of Sibelius’s completed original compositions and arrangements, including relevant JS-designated works.)

Discography#

The Finnish conductor Leif Segerstam and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, joined by the Finnish Philharmonic Choir, made the world premiere studio recording of the Coronation Cantata in April 1999 for Ondine. The table below lists this and other commercially available recordings: In addition, the Finnish choral director Hannu Norjanen and the made the world premiere studio recording of the Hail, O Princess for female choir for Finlandia. The table below lists this and other commercially available recordings: Finally, the Finnish conductor Osmo Vänskä and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra made the world premiere studio recording (and, to date, only) of the Coronation March in January 2002 for BIS. The table below contains additional details about this recording:

Composer: Jean Sibelius