Sibelius: Symphony No 2
Early in the spring of 1901, Jean Sibelius was in the small town of Rapallo on the west coast of Italy, and it was there that he began his second symphony. Later, in the autumn, he finished the symphony at home in Finland, and he himself conducted the first performance in Helsinki on 8 March 1902. The reception at home was so enthusiastic that the symphony soon had to be performed again on three occasions. Critics argued that “Never before has such a musical composition felt so close to us.” Recorded for GSOplay in March 2020.