Per speculum in enigmatae

Erkki Melartin's six-movement Per speculum in enigmatae suite op. 93 for piano is published for the first time. The Latin title of the suite means “Through a glass, darkly”. Melartin probably compiled it from non-related pieces composed at different times. The biblical heading maybe has a spiritual rather than a religious connotation, though some of the movements - and the title - are programmatic. The first movement, Katedralen (“The Cathedral”), was possibly inspired by the architecture of Bruges (Brügge). The second movement, Die andere Seite (The Other Side) has expressionistic features, and possibly reflects the influence of Scriabin. In the third movement, Dunkle Träume (Dark Dreams), the chorale-like motifs in the left hand strive upwards, but always fall back again. Movement four, Schwester Namenlos (Sister Nameless is a short cameo in 5/4 time. Erinnerung is a Late-Romantic mood piece with unconventional phrasings. Melartin later expanded the early version of late 1913 with the closing Weihnachtsglocken (Christmas Bells).