ATMA Classique proudly presents Jean Sibelius' Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5 with Yannick Nezet-Seguin conducting the Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal.
Recorded at Maison symphonique de Montreal, this new release is part of our complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies launched in 2019 with Symphony No. 1.
The two symphonies on this recording are among the best-loved works of Jean Sibelius. Symphony No. 2 marks the conclusion of his first stylistic phase. Like many other Finnish patriotic artists around the turn of the century, Sibelius identified as a national Romantic. Symphony No. 5, on the other hand, established the foundations of what would become Sibelius' mature style, in which he pushed concentration and austerity to extreme limits.
The popularity of these two works has never faltered since they were premiered in Helsinki more than a century ago. Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestre Metropolitain since 2000, Yannick Nezet-Seguin signed a "lifelong" commitment with the Orchestre in September 2019.
