Jeremy Hayes ends his exploration of Sibelius's theatre music with the remarkable closing scenes of his score for Hofmannstahl's play
Everyman. Also The Oceanides,
Sibelius's only symphonic poem not to have been inspired by Finnish mythology, and Tapiola, a powerful evocation of dark gloomy forests, heard here in Karajan's last recording and preceded by a short recording of Sibelius speaking. The Oceanides
City of Birmingham Symphony
Orchestra, conductor Simon Rattle Incidental music: Everyman (excerpt) Lahti Symphony Orchestra, conductor Osmo Vanska
Tapiola
Berlin Philharmonic, conductor Herbert von Karajan Repeated next Friday 12.15am