The stirring orchestration of Sibelius’ patriotic Finlandia counters Haydn’s high-spirited and dramatic Cello Concerto No. 1, which remained undiscovered for two centuries until its chance 1961 find at the Czech National Library. Fittingly, Grieg’s four charming Symphonic Dances, inspired by Norwegian folk, also played a key role in formalizing Norway’s own national identity.

As the first of a trilogy of cantatas, Orff's irreverent Carmina Burana draws from a 13th century compilation of vagabond songs and poems detailing fate's fickleness, pagan delights, and corruption, with hypnotic sensuality and powerful rhythms. Hindemith's reworked Symphonic Dances emerged from a discarded ballet collaboration.