Thomas Sondergard - Sibelius: Symphonies 1 & 6 - Classics Unwrapped

Well it’s time for this week's Album of the Week on Classics Unwrapped, something by Thomas Søndergård he’s the newly appointed music director of the RSNO who will take up his position after next year’s season finishes. This album is with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. This is the second disc in the Sibelius series; it's Symphonies 1 & 6, two very different works that require incredible clarity of line, the way they make the melody strands come through that texture. Let's have a wee blast of the opening movement of Sibelius’ first symphony. I’ve always loved the start of this, the strings & timbre really digging in. Take it away Thomas. It’s a great start to a fantastic CD, the opening movement of Sibelius’ first symphony. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales was conducted by Thomas Søndergård. It’s my album of the week and I’ll have more from it later…

Well something else from my album of the week to close tonight’s Classics Unwrapped. Thomas Søndergård and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with the second eagerly anticipated recording of Sibelius’ Symphonies 1&6. We heard something from the first symphony earlier with that Nordic character coming to the fore. Symphony 6 is altogether quite different. Sibelius called his sixth symphony the Cinderella of the series. It’s never reached the popularity of its predecessors. Well I’ll tell you Søndergård has enjoyed reacquainting himself with these magnificent works. His attention to detail, the atmospheres of the pieces have all been beautifully crafted. Can’t wait to see him on a regular basis with the RSNO when he becomes the new chief conductor next season. Enjoy this, this is the second movement of the sixth symphony with Søndergård and the BBC NOW.