Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

A Depiction of Swans

Kate Molleson delves into the iconic Fifth Symphony by Jean Sibelius - and its famed programmatic depiction of swans.

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
Âé¶¹Éç 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

Release date:

59 minutes

Broadcast

  • Thu 5 Mar 2026 16:00

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.