Conceived in one sole movement, the Symphony No. 7 is a triumphant display of “organic-thematic growth,” with melodies and rhythms blending into one another, giving birth to new elements and branching out to develop in passages reminiscent of symphonic movements. Sibelius’s last symphony was given its first performance in Stockholm on 24 March 1924 and was first heard in Finland in 1927. In the mid 1980s, Unitel began recording a complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies with Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic. Bernstein’s death in 1990 unfortunately cut short this project after the release of Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 5 and 7. They were recorded live at Vienna’s Musikvereinssaal and were the object of stellar reviews. Bernstein, in the words of a leading Austrian daily, “painted a canvas of late-romantic splendor with the Philharmonic’s sound – the incomparable brilliancy of the strings, the glowing intensity of the brass – in a way that only the greatest conductors can.” (Symphony No. 1) And in its review of the Second Symphony, a major Viennese newspaper wrote: “For the sake of Jean Sibelius, Leonard Bernstein leaps with fanatical zeal into the heaving waves of late romantic emotions.” It is not surprising that Leonard Bernstein felt so passionately about Sibelius’s music. In many respects, it strikingly parallels that of Gustav Mahler. In fact, Sibelius’s oeuvre is seen along with Gustav Mahler’s as the most important symphonic legacy between late romanticism and modernity. And as Mahler’s glowing advocate, Bernstein was suited like none other to disseminate the music of his great colleague Jean Sibelius.
Sibelius, Symphony No.5 in E flat major, op.82
In the mid 1980s, Unitel began recording a complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies with Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic. Bernstein’s death in 1990 unfortunately cut short this project after the release of Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 5 and 7. They were recorded live at Vienna’s Musikvereinssaal and were the object of stellar reviews. Bernstein, in the words of a leading Austrian daily, “painted a canvas of late-romantic splendor with the Philharmonic’s sound – the incomparable brilliancy of the strings, the glowing intensity of the brass – in a way that only the greatest conductors can.” (Symphony No. 1) And in its review of the Second Symphony, a major Viennese newspaper wrote: “For the sake of Jean Sibelius, Leonard Bernstein leaps with fanatical zeal into the heaving waves of late romantic emotions.” It is not surprising that Leonard Bernstein felt so passionately about Sibelius’s music. In many respects, it strikingly parallels that of Gustav Mahler. In fact, Sibelius’s oeuvre is seen along with Gustav Mahler’s as the most important symphonic legacy between late romanticism and modernity. And as Mahler’s glowing advocate, Bernstein was suited like none other to disseminate the music of his great colleague Jean Sibelius.
Sibelius, Symphony No.2 in D major, op.43
Written not long after his celebrated tone poem “Finlandia,” Sibelius’s Second Symphony is a work that is still unabashedly in the romantic vein and soon became considered by the Finns as a battle hymn against the Russian oppressor and the musical expression of their nationalist aspirations. It was premiered in Helsinki on 8 March 1902. In the mid 1980s, Unitel began recording a complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies with Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic. Bernstein’s death in 1990 unfortunately cut short this project after the release of Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 5 and 7. They were recorded live at Vienna’s Musikvereinssaal and were the object of stellar reviews. Bernstein, in the words of a leading Austrian daily, “painted a canvas of late-romantic splendor with the Philharmonic’s sound – the incomparable brilliancy of the strings, the glowing intensity of the brass – in a way that only the greatest conductors can.” (Symphony No. 1) And in its review of the Second Symphony, a major Viennese newspaper wrote: “For the sake of Jean Sibelius, Leonard Bernstein leaps with fanatical zeal into the heaving waves of late romantic emotions. “It is not surprising that Leonard Bernstein felt so passionately about Sibelius’s music. In many respects, it strikingly parallels that of Gustav Mahler. In fact, Sibelius’s oeuvre is seen along with Gustav Mahler’s as the most important symphonic legacy between late romanticism and modernity. And as Mahler’s glowing advocate, Bernstein was suited like none other to disseminate the music of his great colleague Jean Sibelius. In early October 1986, Leonard Bernstein conducted a benefit concert for the restoration of Vienna’s Musikvereinssaal. In this program, recorded by Unitel, he led the Vienna Philharmonic in Shostakovich’s Sixth Symphony and Sibelius’s Second Symphony.
Young People’s Concerts: A Tribute to Sibelius
Awarded four Emmys and hailed by Variety as “a rare moment in the symbiosis of the arts and broadcasting,” Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts left their mark on television history. Aired on CBS from 1958 to 1972, these 53 one-hour programs were written and hosted by Leonard Bernstein. With the New York Philharmonic and guest artists providing the live music, these programs brought musical concepts and music history to life for generations of viewers. “Lectures accompanying music might not sound like the formula of a hit kids’ TV program, but Bernstein was the secret ingredient who made it work” (Variety). Balancing scholarship and showmanship, Maestro Bernstein brings the full range of his magnetic personality to play in these programs. And he succeeds in infecting viewers young and old, connoisseurs and the uninitiated, with his overwhelming love of music. Bernstein celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, and comments on Finland, the Finnish language, and Finnish patriotism, as well as Sibelius himself. Works by the composer, including “Finlandia,” are performed.
Joshua Bell plays Tchaikovsky
C Major is proud to present the young and brilliant world famous American violinist Joshua Bell, performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major at the Nobel Prize Concert 2010, produced by Accentus Music. As part of the official Nobel Week, the world’s most renowned artists are gathering each year to pay tribute to the Nobel Laureates. The concert is a special highlight in the series. On the rostrum: Sakari Oramo the Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. The evening starts with Beethoven’s Leonore Ouverture and ends with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5 in E flat major.
Sibelius Symphony No. 7
It couldn’t be more authentic: the Philharmonic Orchestra Helsinki performs all seven symphonies by Jean Sibelius live in the spectacular concert hall of the Finnish capital’s modern Music Centre — the place where almost all of them had their premieres. Over a period of approximately 25 years, Jean Sibelius composed his seven symphonies. All of them, except for the seventh, were premiered in Helsinki under the composer’s own direction. Now, more than 100 years later, a symphony cycle by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by its chief conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, offers a unique and moving experience.
Sibelius Symphony No. 6
It couldn’t be more authentic: the Philharmonic Orchestra Helsinki performs all seven symphonies by Jean Sibelius live in the spectacular concert hall of the Finnish capital’s modern Music Centre — the place where almost all of them had their premieres. Over a period of approximately 25 years, Jean Sibelius composed his seven symphonies. All of them, except for the seventh, were premiered in Helsinki under the composer’s own direction. Now, more than 100 years later, a symphony cycle by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by its chief conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, offers a unique and moving experience.
Sibelius Symphony No. 5
It couldn’t be more authentic: the Philharmonic Orchestra Helsinki performs all seven symphonies by Jean Sibelius live in the spectacular concert hall of the Finnish capital’s modern Music Centre — the place where almost all of them had their premieres. Over a period of approximately 25 years, Jean Sibelius composed his seven symphonies. All of them, except for the seventh, were premiered in Helsinki under the composer’s own direction. Now, more than 100 years later, a symphony cycle by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by its chief conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, offers a unique and moving experience.
Sibelius Symphony No. 4
It couldn’t be more authentic: the Philharmonic Orchestra Helsinki performs all seven symphonies by Jean Sibelius live in the spectacular concert hall of the Finnish capital’s modern Music Centre — the place where almost all of them had their premieres. Over a period of approximately 25 years, Jean Sibelius composed his seven symphonies. All of them, except for the seventh, were premiered in Helsinki under the composer’s own direction. Now, more than 100 years later, a symphony cycle by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by its chief conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, offers a unique and moving experience.
Sibelius Symphony No. 3
It couldn’t be more authentic: the Philharmonic Orchestra Helsinki performs all seven symphonies by Jean Sibelius live in the spectacular concert hall of the Finnish capital’s modern Music Centre — the place where almost all of them had their premieres. Over a period of approximately 25 years, Jean Sibelius composed his seven symphonies. All of them, except for the seventh, were premiered in Helsinki under the composer’s own direction. Now, more than 100 years later, a symphony cycle by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by its chief conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, offers a unique and moving experience.