Symphony No 5 by Jean Sibelius is a cornerstone of the contemporary orchestral repertoire. Composed during a period of intense national and global turmoil during World War I and Finland's fight for independence, the symphony captures a powerful sense of national pride and resilience. The symphony is considered one of the masterpieces from Sibelius. The symphony's famous ‘swan theme’ in the final movement, inspired by a flock of sixteen swans in flight, is a breath-taking musical moment that symbolises the Nordic landscape.

Although the audience response to the 1915 premiere was positive, Sibelius was deeply dissatisfied with the work’s structure, leading him to revise it twice. In 1914, before the premiere, he confided in a friend, setting a lofty goal for himself: "Another depth of misery. But I can already make out the mountain that I shall ascend (…) God is opening his doors for a moment, and his orchestra is playing the fifth symphony." After a 1916 revision failed to meet his expectations, Sibelius withdrew the work again, continuing to refine the orchestration and structure. His final version, premiered in November 1919, is the version most often performed today and the work remains one of the greatest achievements of Sibelius.

Jean Sibelius' Fifth Symphony serves as a powerful foundation for any concert programme, offering a rich tapestry of themes that can be beautifully enhanced by a wide range of complementary orchestral works. Be inspired by music from the Wise Music catalogue to craft a well-rounded and cohesive concert programme around exploration of nature, nationalism, or resilience.

 

Programming with Symphony No 5 

 

Kaija Saariaho
Ciel d’hiver (2013) 10 min 

Kaija Saariaho's Ciel d'hiver captures the serene and introspective beauty of winter skies. Adapted from the second movement of Saariaho’s larger orchestral work Orion, Ciel d'hiver is characterized by its delicate, shifting textures and subtle use of tone and color. Saariaho masterfully creates an atmosphere of quiet contemplation, where each note feels like a breath of cold air in the stillness of a winter's night.

 

Per Nørgård
Voyage into the Broken Screen, Hommage a Sibelius (1995) 5 min

Per Nørgård's Voyage into the Broken Screen is written as an homage to Jean Sibelius. The title echoes Nørgård's earlier orchestral piece Voyage into the Golden Screen (1968),  and uses rhythmic patterns derived from the Fibonacci sequence to create a complex and 'broken' sound world. Despite its layered, almost chaotic texture, the music is unified by two celli that guide the melodic contour, culminating in a powerful climax that fades into a solitary minor chord. Dedicated to Juha Kangas, this work is a striking tribute to Sibelius, blending homage with innovative contemporary techniques.

 

Sebastian Fagerlund
Stonework (2015) 14 min                                                                                                                                       

Sebastian Fagerlund's Stonework for large orchestra investigates the dynamic qualities of stone. Composed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Stonework explores the idea that stone, often seen as solid and unchanging, is full of life and movement. The music alternates between moments of silence and powerful, thunderous passages, reflecting stone's natural malleability and its deep connection to Earth's ancient history.

 

 

William Dawson
Negro Folk Symphony 35 min

William Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony infuses spirituals and folk traditions into a classical symphonic form full of excitement, celebration and also grief of a lost homeland. Premiered in 1934, it explores themes of identity and resilience, making it an emotionally resonant orchestral piece. Like Sibelius, Dawson draws from his national and cultural identities to create a symphonic work of profound depth and meaning.

 

Malcolm Arnold
Symphony No 2 (1953) 30 min

Malcolm Arnold's Second Symphony is a vibrant work that blends wit, emotion, and technical mastery, reflecting his distinctly British style with lively rhythms and memorable melodies. The playful energy and emotional depth of Arnold’s work complement Sibelius' introspective, nature-inspired approach, creating a program that highlights the diverse ways these 20th-century composers used the symphonic form to express their unique cultural backgrounds.

 

Josephine Stephenson
Abend (2013) 10 min

Josephine Stephenson’s Abend is a 10-minute piece inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem of the same name. In this work, Stephenson beautifully captures the magical transformation described by Rilke, as evening “draws on its robe” and the “landscape splits in two.” The music evokes a sense of calm and wonder, mirroring the quiet, mysterious transition from day to night.

 

 

Henri Dutilleux
Timbres, Espace, Mouvement or 'La Nuit Étoilée' 20 min

Timbres, espace, mouvement by Henri Dutilleux, subtitled La Nuit étoilée (The Starry Night), is a reference to Vincent van Gogh’s iconic painting. Composed between 1976 and 1978, the piece explores the interplay of color, texture, and space in music, much like Van Gogh’s swirling night sky. Dutilleux’s innovative orchestration omits violins and violas, creating a unique orchestral sound.

 

 

Thea Musgrave
Song of the Enchanter (1990) 5 min 30 sec

Poul Ruders
Tundra (1990) 5 min

Wilfred Josephs
In the North: Hommage à Sibelius (1991) 7 min

Erkki-Sven Tüür 
Searching for Roots (Homage à Sibelius) (1990) 8 min

These works were all commissioned for the Helsinki Philharmonic's celebration of the 125th anniversary of Jean Sibelius' birth in 1990, drawing inspiration from the same sources that influenced Sibelius: the rugged, isolated nature of the far North (Ruders) and the epic Finnish tales of the Kalevala (Musgrave). Ranging from five to eight minutes in length, they serve as ideal concert openers for Sibelius' symphonies, setting the stage with themes closely tied to the natural landscapes and cultural stories that shaped his music.

 

 

Alan Hovhaness
Symphony No. 22 (1970) 21 min 

Alan Hovhaness' Symphony No. 22, titled City of Light, is a compelling orchestral work that embodies the composer’s imagination and spiritual vision. Hovhaness described the subtitle: "I was thinking of a million lights, an imaginary city..." which is reflected in the symphony’s expansive, luminous musical lines in four movements. The piece unfolds with serene, meditative beauty, gradually building to a grand, majestic conclusion with a rich orchestration.

 

Aulis Sallinen
Sunrise Serenade (1989) 6 min

Aulis Sallinen has been regarded as a natural heir to Jean Sibelius, carrying forward the tradition of deeply evocative, Finnish music. In Sunrise Serenade we meet the healing, serene light in a chamber orchestra setting. An offstage trumpet softly introduces the main theme, echoed by strings and piano to create a reflective, atmospheric tone.