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
On radio
Broadcast
- Thu 5 Mar 2026 16:00Âé¶¹Éç Radio 3
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