Berlin, Vienna, Helsinki
Donald Macleod introduces music written by Sibelius during his period of study in Berlin, including his first work based on the Finnish national epic The Kalevala.
Donald Macleod introduces music written by Sibelius during his period of study in Berlin, including his first work based on the Finnish national epic The Kalevala. Sibelius moved to Berlin armed with a scholarship amounting to 2000 Finnish marks, which was to pay for his tuition and maintenance for a year. What the young Finn experienced on his arrival was a quite severe culture shock. Back in Helsinki he was already a figure of national importance, but here in cosmopolitan Berlin, he was just one music student among many, and the place was alive with them. In this city where every musician he encountered seemed to be a virtuoso, Sibelius was intimidated. He found himself, initially, unable to compose at all.
Last on
Music Played
![]()
Jean Sibelius
2 Pieces Op.2 for violin and piano [rev. 1912]
Performer: Bengt Forsberg Performer: Nils-Erik Sparf
- BIS.
- CD-525.
![]()
Jean Sibelius
Kullervo Op.7 for soloists, male voices and orchestra
Conductor: Osmo Vanska Performer: Lahti S O
- BIS.
- CD121-5.
![]()
Jean Sibelius
7 Songs of Runeberg Op.13 for voice and piano
Performer: Anne Sofie von Otter Performer: Bengt Forsberg
- BIS.
- CD-757.
![]()
Jean Sibelius
Karelia - suite Op.11
Conductor: Neeme Jarvi Performer: Gothenburg S O.
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOP.
- 447 760-2.
![]()
Jean Sibelius
Symphony no. 3 in C major Op.52
Performer: Danish National R S O
- Chandos.
- Chan9083.
Broadcast
- Tue 20 Aug 201318:30BBC 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.
