Sibelius: "Song of the Cross-spider" Jorma Hynninen, Jorma Panula/Gothenburg S.O., 1984

The song "Sången om korsspindeln" has been voted the Finns' favourite Sibelius song. It comes from a 1898 play "Kung Kristian II" by the Swedish writer Adolf Paul. Janne composed the music for his friend. It was published apart of the Suite Op 27 which contains many other Janne evergreens. The tyrant King has been captured for his final years, the Court Jester sings the song that carries a multitude of interpretations. The orchestral arrangement is by Simon Parmet (1897-1969). Hynninen (1941-) is a unique singer I think. He sings in the perfect pitch and it's him that takes the lead in the music, boldly.