This programme celebrates the rich musical landscapes of the Nordic world, bringing together works of atmosphere, lyricism, and symphonic grandeur. We begin with Ida Moberg’s evocative orchestral suite, Sunrise. A pioneering Finnish composer and contemporary of Jean Sibelius, Moberg was deeply influenced by spirituality, symbolism, and the natural world. Tonight’s featured movement, Stillness, offers music of quiet reflection and expansive beauty, capturing a sense of calm contemplation and transcendence. Former SSO member and soloist Adam Quilter joins us to perform Launy Grøndahl’s much-loved Trombone Concerto, one of the most enduring works ever written for the instrument. Composed in 1924, the concerto reveals the trombone’s remarkable versatility - from bold declamation and dazzling virtuosity to warmth, lyricism, and vocal expressiveness. Grøndahl’s colourful musical language combines energy and elegance, making this concerto a deserved favourite with performers and audiences alike. We conclude with Sibelius’s monumental Symphony No. 5, one of the crowning achievements of twentieth-century symphonic writing. Inspired by the landscapes and mythology of Finland, the symphony unfolds with extraordinary organic growth, culminating in the majestic “swan hymn” of the finale. Its unforgettable closing pages remain among the most thrilling endings in all symphonic music and provide a fitting conclusion to our season.

Shaun Matthew