Sibelius’ last symphony is one of the twentieth century’s true masterpieces. In form it absorbs the traditional four movement symphony into a single span of music. Each section grows out of the previous one, developing its material to make a truly organic whole, with a huge emotional impact. Sibelius, a violinist himself, exploited all his knowledge of the instrument in his dramatic and atmospheric concerto, which ends with a thrilling finale. City Noir is a glittering evocation of the energy of late forties Los Angeles, and the dark swooning passions of film noir, in the form of a three movement symphony.

Symphony guide: Sibelius's Seventh
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