Berceuse (Wiegenlied)

Edvard Armas Järnefelt (14 August 1869 – 23 June 1958), was a Finnish conductor and composer, who achieved some minor success with his orchestral works Berceuse and Praeludium. He spent much of his conducting career at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, Sweden.

He was born in Vyborg, in the Grand Duchy of Finland, the son of General August Aleksander Järnefelt and Elisabeth Järnefelt (née Clodt von Jürgensburg).

Järnefelt studied with Ferruccio Busoni in Helsinki and with Jules Massenet in Paris. Both Järnefelt and Busoni enjoyed a close relationship with Jean Sibelius, who was married to Järnefelt's sister Aino. From 1905 Järnefelt had a long career as conductor at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, beginning as repetiteur from 1905-1911 (he became a Swedish citizen in 1909); conductor 1911-1923 and chief conductor 1923-1933.

During this season, you come across many "cradle songs." This one was actually composed for orchestra and solo violin. It is usually played as a piano solo, and apparently is quite well known.

When I played the recording for my wife, she said, "I used to play this!" So, there you are. :-)

It was composed in 1904, and first published in 1905.

The fine transcription was done by well-known American organist, Gordon Balch Nevin (1892-1943) who came from a family of musicians, and enjoyed success as an organist and a composer.

I listened to an orchestral performance after I had done my recording, and their tempo was quite a bit quicker than mine is.

I wanted mine to a sad and sweet "Wiegenlied," and I will leave that to the listener to determine whether or not I have succeeded.

Registering this on a smaller organ like this one is quite a challenge, and I made several "adjustments" in doing it.

All-in-all, I liked the outcome. :-)

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of Armas Järnefelt and one of Gordon Balch Nevin.