Musical Romanticism, explored by Pieter de Oude.
Today in Radio Romantica you will hear two great pieces for orchestra by Jean Sibelius. We kick off with En Saga, a narrative in music. The composer called it a self-portrait. We’ll have to see what we make of it. It is a quiet and contemplative piece with one big climax, and it ends with a rarefied clarinet solo. His first symphony begins with a clarinet solo, and this theme forms a common thread through the entire symphony. Sibelius here and there takes a dramatic approach. For a first symphony, it is a remarkably well-constructed whole. He wanted to show his best side and write truly Finnish music, complete with rustling forests and calmly reflecting lakes.
- Jean Sibelius – En Saga, op.9
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sanntu-Matias Rouvali
- Jean Sibelius – Symphony no. 1 in E minor, op.39
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sanntu-Matias Rouvali
