Finlandia: A Statement of Nationhood

Jean Sibelius's glorious orchestral work was adopted by the Finnish people as a symbol of its fight for independence from Russia, and well over 100 years later it is still regarded as Finland's second national anthem.

Its popularity is international, both in orchestral form and also in shorter form as the Finlandia Hymn.

Featuring Sibelius's great-grandson Jaakko Ilves and conductor John Storgards.

Series about music that makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks.

Producer: Karen Gregor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2008.