Video on demand: Sibelius Symphony no. 3

Sakari Oramo conducts the orchestra in the third symphony by Sibelius. It is a teaser of the spring season’s Grande Finale: Oramo’s final concerts as chief conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra will be an in-depth journey through Jean Sibelius’ work, including all seven symphonies in chronological order.

After the first two ”national romantic” symphonies, Symphony No. 3 brought something else entirely to the stage. It has been said that it is more classicist, in that the music seems to nod to older styles and tones. The third and final movement does, however, break free from simpler labelling, with its enigmatic blend of scherzo (jest) and hymn. The symphony was started in 1904, but the third movement was not finished until only a few days before the world premiere in 1907.