Sibelius Symphony no. 7 in C major -- BBC Symphony Orchestra/Koussevitzky (live recording 1933)

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): Symphony no. 7 in C major opus 105 BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Serge Koussevitzky (1874-1951) Historic live recording, 1933 (mono, rather poor sound quality). The first complete recording of this piece. Paintings by Pekka Halonen (1865-1933) The Symphony No. 7 in C Major, opus 105, was the final published symphony of Jean Sibelius. Completed in 1924, the Seventh is notable for being a one-movement symphony, in contrast to the standard symphonic formula of four movements. It has been described as "completely original in form, subtle in its handling of tempi, individual in its treatment of key and wholly organic in growth" and "Sibelius's most remarkable compositional achievement" After Sibelius finished its composition on March 2, the work was premiered in Stockholm on March 24 as Fantasia sinfonica No. 1, a "symphonic fantasy". The composer was apparently undecided on what name to give the piece, and only granted it status as a symphony after some deliberation. For its publication on February 25, 1925, the score was titled "Symphony No. 7 (in one movement)".