Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957)
Suite "Pelleas & Melisande", Op. 46
1. At the Castle Gate
2. Melisande
3. A Spring in the Park
4. The Three Blind Sisters
5. Pastorale
6. Melisande at the Spinning Wheel
7. Entr'acte
8. The Death of Melisande

The plays and other writings of the symbolist Maurice Maeterlinck were very influential at the turn of the century, and none more so than his play "Pelleas and Melisande". Written in 1892, in the next 15 years it was set as an opera by Debussy, as a tone poem by Schoenberg, and both Faure and Sibelius wrote incidental music for stage productions.

The plot is typical of the symbolists; all shadowy with moods and emotions to the fore rather than any clear explanation of the action. Prince Golaud out riding one day discovers Melisande, weeping and lost in the forest, and takes her under his protection. The play charts her growing infatuation with his younger brother Pelleas, and Golaud's ensuing jealousy.

Sibelius wrote his music for a production in a Swedish translation (the official language of Finland at that time), and found it a relaxation from his other work at the time - the 3rd symphony and the violin concerto. It ran for 15 performances in Helsinki in March 1905, most of which were conducted by Sibelius himself. The concert suite he arranged from it contains 8 movements, all quite short, and of great charm.

The prelude, At the Castle Gate, with its noble horn calls, depicts the rise of the sun over the sea (making its use as the theme music to "The Sky at Night" slightly ironic). The portrait of Melisande features a cor anglais solo of a grave and haunting charm, while A Spring in the Park is carefree and relaxed. The Three Blind Sisters is a song, sung by Melisande in the play, of genuine feeling. After the light Pastorale, one can sense looming tragedy in the ominous picture of Melisande at the Spinning Wheel. The Entr'acte then leads to the final movement, depicting the Death of Melisande.