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A Depiction of Swans

Kate Molleson delves into the iconic Fifth Symphony by Jean Sibelius - and its famed programmatic depiction of swans.

Kate Molleson delves into the iconic Fifth Symphony by Jean Sibelius – and it’s famed programmatic depiction of Swans. Despite the huge success of this work, the Fifth Symphony was composed during the turbulent times of World War One. Sibelius was unhappy with the score, and would return to this work a number of times to edit it further. The version known and loved today, is quite different to the one premiered in 1915.

Romance, Op 78 No 2 (excerpt)
Fenella Humphreys, violin
Joseph Tong, piano

The Oceanides, Op 73
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Thomas Sondergård, conductor

The Echo Nymph, Op 72 No 4
Karita Mattila, soprano
Ilmo Ranta, piano

Symphony No 5 in E flat, Op 82 (excerpt)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Nicholas Collon, conductor

Jokamies, Op 83 (Dance Song)
Petri Lehto, tenor
Sauli Tiilikainen, baritone
Lahti Chamber Choir
Lahti Symphony Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor

Symphony No 5 in E flat, Op 82 (excerpt)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Nicholas Collon, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock

4 days left to listen

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Jean Sibelius

    Romance, Op 78, No 2

    Performer: Fenella Humphreys. Performer: Joseph Tong.
    • Sibelius: Works for Violin & Piano.
    • Resonus Classics.
    • 2.
  • Jean Sibelius

    The Oceanides, Op 73

    Orchestra: BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Thomas Søndergård.
    • LINN RECORDS : CKD566.
    • LINN RECORDS.
    • 4.
  • Jean Sibelius

    The Echo Nymph, Op 72, No 4

    Performer: Ilmo Ranta. Singer: Karita Mattila.
    • ONDINE : ODE-856-2.
    • ONDINE.
    • 20.
  • Jean Sibelius

    Symphony No 5 in E flat major, Op 82 (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Nicholas Collon.
    • ONDINE : ODE 1468-2.
    • ONDINE.
    • 1.
  • Jean Sibelius

    Jokamies, Op.83 (Everyman)

    Singer: Petri Lehto. Singer: Sauli Tiilikainen. Choir: Lahti Chamber Choir.
    • BIS : CD-735.
    • BIS.
    • 5.
  • Jean Sibelius

    Symphony No 5 in E flat major, Op 82 (2nd & 3rd mvts)

    Orchestra: Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Nicholas Collon.
    • ONDINE : ODE 1468-2.
    • ONDINE.
    • 2.

Broadcast

  • Thu 5 Mar 202616:00

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