The Trees : Puusarj

The Tree Suite includes some of the best-loved piano pieces by Jean Sibelius; the trees really did "speak" to the maestro. The shadowy harmonies, melancholy waltz tune and torrent of broken chords have made The Spruce - the last of the miniatures in the set - one of the works by Sibelius most frequently performed. When the Rowan Blossoms opens out into a delicate theme after a lingering beginning. The Solitary Pine hints at greater symbolism in its rugged masculinity, while the impressionistic The Aspen with its trembling leaves paints the most beautiful picture of its composer's feel for nature. The mood of The Birch is again sunny; "So white it stands," said Sibelius.
Anni Tolvanen's transription for wind quintet lends even more colours to the movements.