If sonic splendour were the sole criterion, Vladimir Ashkenazy’s Sibelius symphony cycle with the Philharmonia would win ... the Romance for strings and Valse triste from that same deleted collection ...

The concert will take place on Wednesday, March 12, starting at 7.30pm. The programme includes Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.

While he was still alive the Finnish government issued stamps with his portrait and would have erected a statue to him as well had not Sibelius himself discouraged the project. Probably no composer in ...