The Spruce
English work
Definition
Sibelius's most famous piano piece — Granen, the fifth of the Five Pieces, Op.75 ('The Trees', 1914). The image of the lone spruce tree standing in a Finnish winter landscape has made this short piece an emblem of Nordic musical nationalism. It is by far the most frequently performed of Sibelius's piano miniatures.
Interpretive Guidance
The Spruce should be played with deep solemnity and complete simplicity. There is no place for rubato, ornament, or expressive excess: the piece is the tree standing in silence. Let the sound resonate between phrases; the silences are as important as the notes.