Sir John Barbirolli's electrifying interpretations of the works of Jean Sibelius have inspired audiences all over the world. In a letter to Barbirolli, Sibelius declared himself to be a 'devoted admirer' of the conductor, adding that he was always happy to know that his compositions were in Barbirolli's 'masterful hands'.

This collection features, among other works, the complete symphonies - including Barbirolli's specialty, No. 2 -, the incidental music of Pelléas et Mélisande and that great instrumental song of nationalism Finlandia.

SACD 1:

1. Finlandia, Op. 26
2. Karelia Suite, Op. 11: I. Intermezzo
3. Karelia Suite, Op. 11: II. Ballade
4. Karelia Suite, Op. 11: III. Alla marcia
5. Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49
6. 2 Pieces from Kuolema, Op. 44: No. 1, Valse triste
7. Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 "Legends of the Kalevala": No. 4, Lemminkäinen's Return

SACD 2:

1. Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: I. Allegretto
2. Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: II. Tempo andante, ma rubato
3. Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: III. Vivacissimo
4. Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: IV. Finale. Allegro moderato
5. Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 "Legends of the Kalevala": No. 2, The Swan of Tuonela

SACD 3:

1. Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82: I. Tempo molto moderato - Allegro moderato - Presto
2. Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82: II. Andante mosso, quasi allegretto
3. Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82: III. Allegro molto - Un pocchettino largamente
4. Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105: I. Adagio
5. Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105: II. Un pocchettino meno adagio - Vivacissimo - Adagio
6. Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105: III. Allegro molto moderato
7. Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105: IV. Vivace - Presto - Adagio

SACD 4:

1. Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39: I. Andante ma non troppo - Allegro energico
2. Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39: II. Andante, ma non troppo lento
3. Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39: III. Scherzo. Allegro
4. Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39: IV. Finale, quasi una fantasia. Andante - Allegro molto
5. Suite from Pelléas and Mélisande, Op. 46: No. 1, At the Castle Gate
6. Suite from Pelléas and Mélisande, Op. 46: No. 2, Mélisande
7. Suite from Pelléas and Mélisande, Op. 46: No. 9, The Death of Mélisande

SACD 5:

1. Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: I. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio
2. Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: II. Allegro molto vivace
3. Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: III. Il tempo largo
4. Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: IV. Allegro
5. Rakastava, Op. 14: I. The Lover
6. Rakastava, Op. 14: II. The Way of the Lover
7. Rakastava, Op. 14: III. Good Night My Beloved... Farewell
8. Romance in C Major, Op. 42
9. Suite from Pelléas and Mélisande, Op. 46: No. 7, Mélisande at the Spinning Wheel
10. Scènes historiques I, Op. 25: No. 1, All'overtura
11. Scènes historiques I, Op. 25: No. 2, Scena
12. Scènes historiques II, Op. 66: No. 1, The Hunt

SACD 6:

1. Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52: I. Allegro moderato
2. Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52: II. Andantino con moto, quasi allegretto
3. Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52: III. Moderato - Allegro, ma non tanto
4. Symphony No. 6 in D Minor, Op. 104: I. Allegro molto moderato
5. Symphony No. 6 in D Minor, Op. 104: II. Allegro moderato
6. Symphony No. 6 in D Minor, Op. 104: III. Poco vivace
7. Symphony No. 6 in D Minor, Op. 104: IV. Allegro molto