Sibelius’s glorious Symphony No. 3 is not only one of the Finnish composer’s finest, but also one of his most heartfelt and personal works. Completed in 1907 when Finland was still struggling for independence from Russian control, Sibelius filled it with the heart and soul of his homeland.

Czech composer Smetana wrote music that expresses his deep connection with his homeland. His cycle of six symphonic poems Ma Vlast (‘My Fatherland’) is filled with the spirit of Bohemia’s folksongs and dances. Our concert features two movements from Smetana’s masterpiece. The second poem, Vltava (‘The Moldau’), describes the great river’s journey through the Czech countryside. The third movement tells the story of the female warrior Šárka, a central figure in ancient Czech legend.

We open this concert with the overture to Carl Maria von Weber’s last opera, Oberon, which was first performed in London in 1826. This short overture remains one of Weber’s most popular and colourful works, and the opera’s story about spirits and magic are brought vividly to life by Weber’s lively music.