Composer of the Week: Sibelius

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Composer of the Week

Music: Classical

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Composer of the Week: Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): From Happiness to Despair

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

From Happiness to Despair

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), From Happiness to Despair

Donald Macleod explores Sibelius's rise to prominence.

Donald Macleod explores Sibelius's rise to prominence with his first big success Kullervo, countered shortly afterwards by both financial and marital problems.

Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of the man who is almost universally recognised as Finland's greatest ever composer - Jean Sibelius. Sibelius's music went a long way towards establishing a sense of national musical identity in Finland - a tradition that has flourished there ever since. Sibelius felt a strong connection with his homeland and the nature that flourished there, and the nationalist flavour of his works was highly appealing to a Finnish audience at a time when Finland was fighting for independence from Russia. In today's episode, Donald explores Sibelius's rise to prominence with his first big success, Kullervo, the Lemminkainen Suite and his First Symphony; and the problems - both financial and marital - which followed as a result of Sibelius's heavy drinking.

Kullervo's Death (Kullervo)
Karita Mattila (soprano)
Jorma Hynninen (baritone)
Laulun Ystävät Male Choir
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Järvi (conductor)

Impromptu in B minor, Op 5 No 5
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)

The Swan of Tuonela (Lemminkainen Suite)
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Leif Segerstam (conductor)

Symphony No 1 (Finale) 
Minnesota Orchestra 
Osmo Vanska (conductor)

Malinconia 
Steven Isserlis (cello)
Olli Mustonen (piano)


Producer: Sam Phillips

Composer of the Week: Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of the man who is almost universally recognised as Finland's greatest ever composer - Jean Sibelius.

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Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

From Happiness to Despair

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