This is the first symphony to make me cry. The symphony itself has a very fluid quality that swells with emotion and just when you think you've peaked, it seems to be able to take you a step higher. It's final movement is amazing how it slowly and almost unnoticeably builds to the climax at the end. It starts out with a moving bass line played pizzacato on the string bass that brings up the imagery of someone tip toeing through a haunted house. Then it lightens the mood with with a sense of confidence and reassurance. This movement has all the emotion of someone trying to save the world from famine and disease and miraculously succeeding. After it's final and highest plateau, Sibelius allows the listener to dwell in tears of joy before he finally concludes the piece.
This symphony also features very regal sounding brass sections. The percussion is minimal but the timpani plays a vital role in giving this symphony it's power. There is also a lot of dialogue between the violins and flutes.
A very moving and powerful piece to say the least.
If your going to listen to a CD I recommend the Cleveland Orchestra's recording conducted by Joel Levi. The Leonard Berstein conducted recording is a little slow for my tastes and doesn't have as good intonation as Joel Levi's. If I remember correctly, Berstein was conducting the London Symphony.
