Sibelius and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo: Mats Lundqvist
Jean Sibelius led the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra on eight occasions, but his music has been a part of the orchestra ever since 1903, the year after it was founded.
On 10 November 1903, Jean Sibelius’ music appeared for the first time on the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra’s programme. The orchestra had been founded the year before, and at that time it was called the Stockholm Concert Society. Sibelius’ friend and fellow composer Wilhelm Stenhammar was among those who initiated the formation of the orchestra.
The first piece by Sibelius in the orchestra’s history was Symphony No. 2. Armas Järnefelt conducted. Järnefelt was Sibelius’ brother-in-law (brother of his wife Aino). The second symphony had been premiered the previous year in Helsinki with Sibelius conducting; it was an immediate success that exceeded expectations which were already high. It was the revised and final version of the symphony that was given its first performance in 1903 with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and Järnefelt.
Jean Sibelius himself led the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra on eight occasions between 1923 and 1924. The most notable occasion was the premiere of Symphony No. 7, on 24 March 1924.