51�Թ�

Inspired by the Finnish epic “The Kalevala,” Sibelius sets out to depict, abstractly, the sage Vainamoinen as he falls under the spell of the sirenlike daughter of the north country.

For now, north and south are living up to stereotypes: Cyprus as the birthplace of the beautiful but fickle Aphrodite, who emerged from the surf at Paphos; Finland as the home of Vainamoinen, the wifeless old bard who, according to the “Kalevala”, a Finnish epic, surfaced from the primeval sea to plant the barren land.

It describes an episode in the voyage of the sage Vainamoinen, in which he becomes smitten with Pohjola’s daughter but loses her when he fails, despite his own supernatural powers, to accomplish the tasks she sets for him.

Finland's little fleet, centred around the shallow-draft pocket-battleships Vainamoinen and Ilmarinen moved cautiously to meet them.

Presently his horse he halted At the new-cleared field of Osmo, And the aged ��ä����ä��ö���Ա��, In the sledge his head uplifted, Heard the noise within the smithy, And the clatter in the coal-shed.