“If you haven’t loved, you haven’t lived.”

© 2012 Olivia Geiser, Belle Chen

The Concept

Love is an inevitable experience in life, and it is a double-edged sword that can bring as much happiness as despair. Based on Sibelius’ ‘The Spruce’ from ‘5 Pieces for Piano’ (1914), ‘A Heart Personified’ follows love through its birth and death. Still frames have been used to portray the personification of the heart from its initial awakening to stages of intrigue, curiosity, interest, happiness, bewilderment, anger, heartbreak, denial, disbelief, sadness, and the eventual aftermath of pretence and yearning.

The Music

The music of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) played an important role in the formation of Finnish national identity, both musically and politically. During his lifetime, Sibelius constantly drew inspirations from the nature, landscape, folk music, and literature from his country.

Forests, in particular, inspired many of Sibelius’ works. This may be no surprise, as Finland is the most forested country in Europe (with 86% of its land covered by forests, read here). Evocations of the forests can often be found in his musical writing, and Sibelius had never been shy to give away the programme behind his works. Such is the case with the ‘5 Pieces for Piano, Op. 75’ (1914), with each piece of the suite inspired by and titled with different trees that are commonly found in Finland. ‘5 Pieces for Piano, Op. 75’ is also widely known as ‘The Tree Suite.’

The Artists

Piano: Olivia Geiser
www.oliviageiser.com

Photography, Editing, and Concept: Belle Chen
www.bellechen.com

Sound Effects: Sound Jay
www.soundjay.com

Other Interpretations of Sibelius’ ‘The Spruce’ from ‘5 Pieces for Piano, Op. 75’:

Izumi Tateno: http://youtu.be/eqaK-Iwbmuk

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