Review Kullervo feels so central to the Sibelius canon these days that it is hard to believe it was largely kept from view by the composer until his death in 1957, and only recorded for the first time in 1970. Although notable recordings have been made in Atlanta (Robert Spano for Telarc) and London (Colin Davis for LSO Live), Finland continues to hold sway - hardly surprising given its wealth of musical talent. This latest wholly Finnish production is up there with the best. It reminds us what an audacious work this five-movement quasi-symphony was for its 27-year-old composer, with its pounding rhythms, powerful choral writing and broad range of atmospheres. Leif Segerstam commands these elements with true authority, and the Helsinki Philharmonic responds with playing, by turns elemental and delicate. The Helsinki University Choir has been the key to many a successful Kullervo performance. Here, under its alternative name of the YL Male Voice Choir, it brings unrivalled mastery to the Kalevala verses, urging on the action in "Kullervo and his Sister", and being suitably portentous in "Kullervo's Death". Soile Isokoski, a soprano who in her vocal edge and intuitive sense of communication can bring to mind Elisabeth Sderstrm, is a dramatically perceptive foil to Tommi Hakala's appropriately brazen but vocally polished Kullervo. The recording, made in Helsinki's Finlandia Hall, captures the epic scale of the work, even in the stereo mix of this hybrid SACD. --Matthew Rye, Daily Telegraph, 7 June 2008 SIBELIUS' creation of a national music for Finland was at first very much based in his huge orchestral-choral symphony, Kullervo - first performed in 1892. But he never had it published and it was not until after his death in 1957 that it emerged into the world again. Perhaps by comparison with some of his other work it sounds somewhat crude, but it's absolutely crucial to a picture of his development and musical achievement to hear its strikingly original sounds. There are constant flashes of the individual voice he was to develop in the symphonies and other later works, and clear examples of the way he forged of his style by adapting the inflexions of folk music and working out the phrases and rhythms of the ancient runic poetry of Finland. The Helsinki Philharmonic, under the huge, beardedly Viking-like Leif Segerstam, play this music with fire and devotion, and the male voice choir give it the sound of rugged passion it must have excited among its first performers and hearers. --Robert Beale, Manchester Evening News Why Sibelius neglected his early choral symphony is one of music's great mysteries. In 1892 it was of ground-breaking modernity, and even today it has the ability to shock and thrill in equal measure. This highly impressive account comes from the Helsinki Philharmonic conducted, with his usual musical flamboyancy, by Leif Segerstam. There are two good solo singers with the YL Male Voice Choir powerful in the dramatic outbursts. Ondine's sound is of demonstration quality. --David Denton, Yorkshire Post, 30 May 2008
