Sibelius Symphony No 1

Today is the launch of a two-week survey of Sibelius's Symphonies performed by the BBC Philharmonic with conductor John Storgards, as part of Afternoon on 3's Nordic and Baltic season.

This week numbers 1 to 3 - Sibelius makes his name, and his career takes off in the early years of the twentieth century - these first three symphonies are bold and confident works.

Also running through the week are a series of works by French composer Gabriel Pierné. He succeeded César Franck as organist of St.Clotilde in Paris, and conducted the premiere of Stravinsky's ballet "The Firebird" in Paris in 1910. His music is filled with the ambience of fin-de-siècle Paris. Pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet joins the BBC Philharmonic and Juanjo Mena in these recordings.

Presented by Penny Gore

2pm
Gabriel Pierné
Fantaisie-ballet Op.6 for piano and orchestra
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano)
BBC Philharmonic
Juanjo Mena (conductor)

2.10
Sibelius
Symphony No. 1 in E minor Op.39
BBC Philharmonic
John Storgards (conductor

2.50
Irgens-Jensen
Passacaglia for orchestra
BBC Philharmonic
Andrew Gourlay (conductor)

3.15
Shostakovich
Symphony No. 10 in E minor Op.93
BBC Philharmonic
Andrew Gourlay (conductor).