Bearing the Banner of Finnish Music
Donald Macleod focuses on Sibelius's early years. Born outside Helsinki, he grew up in a Swedish-speaking home, within a Finland which had not yet gained independence from Russia.
Donald Macleod focuses on the early years of Jean Sibelius, who would go on to create a distinctive Finnish voice in music in the late 19th and early 20th century. Born just outside Helsinki in 1865, Sibelius grew up in a Swedish-speaking household, within a Finland which had not yet gained independence from Russia. His first musical love was for the violin, and he relinquished his dream of becoming a concert violinist very reluctantly.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Music Played
![]()
Jean Sibelius
7 Songs Op.17 for voice and piano
Performer: Anne Sofie von Otter Performer: Bengt Forsberg
- BIS.
- BIS CD-457.
![]()
Jean Sibelius
Concerto in D minor Op.47 for violin and orchestra
Conductor: Andre Previn Performer: Anne-Sophie Mutter Performer: Dresden State Orchestra
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOP.
- 447-895 2.
![]()
Jean Sibelius
Quartet in A minor for strings [1889]
Performer: Tempera Quartet
![]()
Jean Sibelius
Symphony no. 1 in E minor Op.39
Conductor: Simon Rattle Performer: City of Birmingham S O.
- EMI.
- CDM 7-64119-2.
Broadcast
- Mon 19 Aug 201318:00BBC Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.
