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Episode details

Radio 3,05 Mar 2026,59 mins

SeriesJean Sibelius (1865-1957)

A Depiction of Swans

Composer of the Week

Available for 28 days

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

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Tracklist

  1. Track
    Artist
  2. 1.
    Romance, Op 78, No 2
    Romance, Op 78, No 2
    Jean Sibelius
  3. 2.
    The Oceanides, Op 73
    The Oceanides, Op 73
    Jean Sibelius
  4. 3.
    The Echo Nymph, Op 72, No 4
    The Echo Nymph, Op 72, No 4
    Jean Sibelius
  5. 4.
    Symphony No 5 in E flat major, Op 82 (1st mvt)
    Symphony No 5 in E flat major, Op 82 (1st mvt)
    Jean Sibelius
  6. 5.
    Jokamies, Op.83 (Everyman)
    Jokamies, Op.83 (Everyman)
    Jean Sibelius
  7. 6.
    Symphony No 5 in E flat major, Op 82 (2nd & 3rd mvts)
    Symphony No 5 in E flat major, Op 82 (2nd & 3rd mvts)
    Jean Sibelius