The Oceanides (Aallottaret), Op. 73, is a single-movement tone poem for orchestra by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (pictured). The piece, which refers to the nymphs in Greek mythology who inhabited the Mediterranean Sea, premiered on 4 June 1914 at the Norfolk Music Festival in Connecticut with Sibelius conducting. Praised upon its premiere as "the finest evocation of the sea ... ever ... produced in music", the tone poem, in D major, consists of two subjects, said to represent the playful activity of the nymphs and the majesty of the ocean. Sibelius gradually develops this material over three informal stages: a placid ocean, then a gathering storm, and finally a thunderous wave-crash. As the tempest subsides, a final chord sounds, symbolizing the mighty power and limitless expanse of the sea. Stylistically, many commentators have described The Oceanides as impressionistic. It is one of Sibelius's most revised works. A derived suite and an early version of the piece were performed for the first time in 2002, by Osmo Vänskä and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oceanides
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1561 –The spire of Old St Paul's Cathedral in London was destroyed by fire, probably caused by lightning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_St_Paul%27s_Cathedral
1792:
Royal Navy Captain George Vancouver claimed Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest for Great Britain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puget_Sound
1942:
The Battle of Midway (Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers pictured), a major battle in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, began with a massive Imperial Japanese strike on Midway Atoll. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Midway
1977:
The Humboldt Park riot began in Chicago, resulting in three deaths, three cars in the Humboldt Park lagoon, and increased tension between the Chicago Police Department and the Puerto Rican community. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humboldt_Park_riot
1989:
The People's Liberation Army violently cracked down on the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing, leaving at least 241 dead and 7,000 wounded, and causing widespread international condemnation of the Chinese government. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
nepenthes: 1. A drug mentioned in Homer's Odyssey (c. 8th century B.C.E.) as bringing relief from anxiety or grief; hence, any drug or substance seen as bringing welcome forgetfulness or relief. 2. A Southeast Asian carnivorous plant of the genus Nepenthes; a monkey cup or tropical pitcher plant. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nepenthes
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
There’s another thing not everyone figures out right away: It’s almost impossible to go through life all alone. We need to find our support group — family, friends, companion, therapy gatherings, team, church or whatever. The kindergarten admonition applies as long as we live: “When you go out into the world, hold hands and stick together.” It’s dangerous out there — lonely, too. Everyone needs someone. Some assembly is always required. --Robert Fulghum https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robert_Fulghum