- Sibelius’s six Humoresques for violin and small orchestra were written in 1917. The name of the set characterizes the violin’s capriciousness and dazzling technical skill.
- *You will see the first two pieces (confusingly) labeled as Op. 87, but the six Humoresques were written as a set and are meant to be performed as such.
- Sibelius had a lifelong admiration for the violin and consequently wrote many works for the instrument, including these six miniatures.
- Sibelius premiered his set of six Humoresques in 1919 with violinist Paul Cherkassky and the Helsinki Orchestra.1
- Each of the Humoresques is short but distinctive:
- The first is in the style of a mazurka.
- The second is energetic and showcases the violinist’s technical skill with virtuosic passages.
- The third is stylized as a gavotte.
- The fourth is meditative and romantic in character.
- The fifth contains a folk-like melody and is once again highly virtuosic.
- The sixth and final piece is likewise virtuosic, highly spirited, and even explosive at times.2
Sources
- Fabian Dahlström and James Hepokoski, “Sibelius, Jean,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed October 27, 2022, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000043725.
- Harald Herresthal, “Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): Six Humoresques” in accompanying booklet, Nordic Violin Favorites performed Henning Kraggerud and Dalasinfoniettan conducted by Bjarte Engeset, Naxos 2827, 2012, compact disc.
Cut IDs
13984 13985 41590 10787 10788 10789 10790 20889 20890 13986