Summary: This week we take a look at one of the most popular 20th century symphonies, Sibelius' glorious 2nd symphony. From the moment of its premiere, this piece was given a revolutionary narrative by Finnish Nationalists looking to throw off the yoke of Russian oppression. We explore how the music supports or undermines that narrative. We also take a deep dive into the incredible thematic and motivic development that dominates this piece, making it one of the most cohesive 40 minutes of music ever devised.
