NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Johan Dalene / Jukka-Pekka Saraste

Jean Sibelius called one of his many symphonic poems "The Bard." We're never told what the piece is about. Only that it centers on a wandering poet and singer, like those found in many legends, including Norse mythology. And this bard, of course, is given his own instrument: the harp, which plays an important role in Sibelius's score. Sibelius was probably simply interested in a timeless portrait of the artist—after all, aren't he and his perform...