Humoresques for violin and orchestra

Op. 87 Two humoresques for violin and orchestra

No. 1 Humoresque no. 1 in D minor. First version 1917; first performance in Helsinki, 24th November 1919 (Paul Cherkassky, Helsinki City Orchestra under Jean Sibelius). Final version 1940; first performance in Helsinki, 15th December 1940 (Arvo Hannikainen, Helsinki City Orchestra under Toivo Haapanen).

No. 2 Humoresque no. 2 in D major. Completed in 1917; first performance in Helsinki, 24th November 1919 (Paul Cherkassky, Helsinki City Orchestra under Jean Sibelius).

Op. 89 Four humoresques for violin and orchestra

No. 1 Humoresque no. 3 in G minor. Completed in 1917; first performance in Helsinki, 24th November 1919 (Paul Cherkassky, Helsinki City Orchestra under Jean Sibelius).

No. 2 Humoresque no. 4 in G minor. Completed in 1917; first performance in Helsinki, 24th November 1919 (Paul Cherkassky, Helsinki City Orchestra under Jean Sibelius).

No. 3 Humoresque no. 5 in E flat major. Completed in 1917; first performance in Helsinki, 24th November 1919 (Paul Cherkassky, Helsinki City Orchestra under Jean Sibelius).

No. 4 Humoresque no. 6 in G minor. Completed in 1917; first performance in Helsinki, 24th November 1919 (Paul Cherkassky, Helsinki City Orchestra under Jean Sibelius).

Jean Sibelius clearly enjoyed writing the six humoresques for violin and orchestra in 1916-1917. They were not performed until 24th November 1919 together with the first performance of the final version of the fifth symphony. The soloist for the Humoresques was Paul Cherkassky. According to the critics, he came close to being drowned out by the orchestra. Just before the concert Kajanus's orchestra had managed to take on a considerable number of new players .

According to Sibelius the pieces had an "excellent format". He had in fact intended the Humoresques as an entire suite, although they received different opus numbers due to an error. The composer himself considered the works well suited to the violin and rewarding to play. His opinion was well-founded.

It takes about 20 minutes to perform all humoresques, and they are constantly interesting to listen to. The first humoresque is dance-like and resembles a mazurka. Erik Tawaststjerna found many features in it that look forward to the Dorian atmosphere of the sixth symphony. The second humoresque includes a perpetuum mobile figure in the background, with virtuoso figures for the soloist almost in the manner of Paganini. The third humoresque resembles a gavotte and the fourth provides the humoresques with a quiet and lyrical interlude. The fifth humoresque is a showy and playful piece; once again the soloist can demonstrate the full range of his technique. The sixth humoresque brings the suite to an extremely introspective conclusion.

The humoresques provide an excellent alternative to the frequently-played violin concerto. In a concert with a violin soloist, the Humoresques can be complemented by the Serenades or the Cantique and Devotion.