Kullervo (Sibelius) - The Music

The Music

The work is in five movements, each chronicling a different part of Kullervo's life, based on the Kullervo cycle from the Kalevala. The third and fifth movements contain passages of dialogue from the epic, sung by a baritone (Kullervo), a soprano (the three successive women Kullervo tries to seduce), and a male chorus (the narrative verses). Movements one, two and four are purely instrumental.

1. Introduction

This movement sets up the work. It evokes the heroic sweep of the legendary Finnish setting, as well as the character Kullervo, who is a complex, tragic figure.

2. Kullervo's Youth

This movement reflects the contents of Runos 31 through 33 of the Kalevala, with a somber tone; Kullervo is marked for tragedy from birth onwards, and he spends his youth largely in slavery.

3. Kullervo and his Sister

Scored for male chorus as well as male and female soloists, this movement (which Sibelius allowed to be performed as a separate work) chronicles how Kullervo encounters three women; he attempts, unsuccessfully, to seduce them. After failing three times, he ravishes the third woman, only to realize too late that it is his long lost sister, who commits suicide when she learns the truth; she leaps into a stream and drowns herself. The movement ends with Kullervo's lament at his sister's death, and his own crime.

4. Kullervo Goes to Battle

Kullervo attempts to atone for his crime by seeking death on the battle field.

5. Kullervo's Death

A haunting male chorus tells of Kullervo's death; he inadvertently comes to the site of his sister's ravishment, marked by dead grass and bare earth, where nature has refused to renew itself. He addresses his magic sword, asking if it will slay him; the sword answers, and he commits suicide.

The work runs something over an hour. The duration depends very much upon the conductor. Seven recent recordings range from 70 to 80 minutes in length.