Thomas Sondergard - Sibelius: Symphonies 2 & 7 - The Sunday Times

For many, Sibelius's symphonies define early-20th-century symphonic thought, reaffirming and reinventing the old forms in a language entirely distinctive. In their different ways, they are monumental, inspiring, but also fluid and remarkably condensed. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales here shows itself to be in fine fettle, offering cogent, clear-textured performances.