Description
Instrumentation: string orchestra, timpani ad lib.
Difficulty: medium
Duration: 5:00
Sibelius originally wrote his ANDANTE FESTIVO for string quartet (1922) on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the “Saynatsolo plywood mill” in Finland. He later reworked the work for string orchestra and timpani ad lib.; the premiere took place on the evening of New Year’s Day 1939 as a musical greeting to the World’s Fair in New York (Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Jean Sibelius).
The piece is often played on festive public occasions in Finland and was also played at Jean Sibelius’ funeral.