Sibelius – Symphony No. 2

Sibelius – Symphony No. 2

In 2013, the Finnish conductor Hannu Lintu was appointed principal conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Lintu studied piano and cello at the Sibelius Academy and the Turku conservatorium in Sweden’s southeast. He started conducting at the Sibelius Academy. His many concerts with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2012 made him the obvious replacement for Sakari Oramo, who, after many years as conductor and concert master, terminated his contract in 2012. The orchestra specializes in the performance of Finnish music, but also performs the great masterpieces of Gustav Mahler and Béla Bartók. The Finnish composer Jean Sibelius is the orchestra’s favourite, as well as the conductor. In cooperation with Finland’s national public broadcasting company Yle, all seven Sibelius symphonies are recorded and broadcast. After a brief spoken introduction about the piece, the orchestra performs the complete symphony. Sibelius composed his Symphony No. 2 between 1901 and 1902. It is one of his most popular symphonies. It marks the transition from a youthful to a more mature Sibelius. Large selections of the piece were written in Italy, and the Russian influence is replaced by an undefined southern ingredient: the piece is breathing warmth throughout. However, darkness has not completely disappeared and becomes apparent in the second movement, as the Russian influence makes a comeback and the spicy, all-embracing melody is reprised in the finale’s apotheosis.