Culture Zone - Letters to Sibelius

The Letters to Sibelius are a very personal tribute to the Finnish composer, written by a Scots-born emigrant to New Zealand, Marshall Walker. He’s a retired Professor of English, formerly of the University of Waikato who lives in Hamilton on New Zealand’s north island. But as a boy growing up in Glasgow, Marshall fell in love with the music of Sibelius and his interest was fuelled by the early endeavours of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and its founder Ian Whyte who had a particular skill for conducting the music of the Finnish master. Alongside the letters are some recordings of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra performing works by Sibelius and a documentary produced for BBC Radio 3 about Ian Whyte.