Sibelius: Symphonies: Symphonies 1 & 4

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 1, for orchestra in E minor Op. 39
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Conducted by Alexander Gibson

2. Symphony No. 4, for orchestra in A minor, Op. 63
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Conducted by Alexander Gibson

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: 1. Andante, ma non troppo - Allegro energico
Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: 2. Andante. Ma non troppo lento
Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: 3. Scherzo. Allegro
Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: 4. Finale
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 63: 1. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 63: 2. Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 63: 3. Il tempo largo
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 63: 4. Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony No. 2 In D, Op. 43: 1. Allegretto - Poco allegro - Tranquillo, ma poco a poco ravvivando il tempo al allegro
Symphony No. 2 In D, Op. 43: 2. Tempo andante, ma rubato - andante sostenuto
Symphony No. 2 In D, Op. 43: 3. Vivacissimo - Lento e sauve - Largamente
Symphony No. 2 In D, Op. 43: 4. Finale. Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 5 In E Flat, Op. 82: 1. Tempo molto moderato - Largamento - Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 5 In E Flat, Op. 82: 2. Andante mosso, quasi allegretto
Symphony No. 5 In E Flat, Op. 82: 3. Allegro molto

Amazon.com essential recording

As so often happens in the classical record business, Sir Colin Davis has been busily rerecording all of this music for RCA, with the London Symphony. And because he's an English conductor working with an English orchestra, the British critics are raving, as if these earlier, much better, and much less expensive versions didn't even exist. Well, ignore the hype. Not only does the Boston Symphony play rings around today's London Symphony Orchestra (Davis's current group), but they are much better recorded too. This first Sibelius cycle was a prime recommendation when it first came out, and it still is, plain and simple. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

sublime.......2006-12-09

These two discs contain some of the most gorgeous symphonic music and awesome orchestral playing ever committed to disc.

Of Sibelius' seven symphonies, we have here the dark, Tchaikovskian First; the epic, majestic, forlorn Second; the austere, solemn, and noble Fourth; and the affable, complex, understated, and profound Fifth. These works capture something of the essence of the Nordic spirit as poignantly as the Dvorak symphonies do the Slavic, and are quite simply some of the most rewarding, fascinating works of art we have. They have, unfortunately, been largely overlooked since the rise of the current, passionate enthusiasm of the classical music world for the Mahler symphonies began in the 1960s; especially given the bargain, rerelease pricing of these two discs, then, you really mustn't pass on this opportunity to familiarize yourself with these masterworks.

The old Boston Symphony plays with a beautiful, effortless virtuosity that demonstrates why they were known as the dean of American orchestras. This was the orchestra whose timbre Copland, Barber, Piston, Schuman, and Berstein had in mind when they wrote their symphonic scores, and where the Chicago Symphony of the 70s was perhaps better-suited to the bombast of Mahler, Strauss, and Bruckner, the Boston Symphony must have been one of the best two or three orchestras in the world for these more subtle, understated scores (the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and the Vienna Philharmonic being the two other candidates that come immediately to mind).

A real treasure.

Excellent First and Fifth.......2006-11-21

This half of the Colin Davis/Boston Symphony Orchestra Sibelius cycle includes two performances I've long admired, one that's unexceptional, and one that seems a complete misfire.

Writing the finale to a symphony causes problems for young composers. The finale of the Mahler First is by far the weakest movement in the Mahler canon. The same is true of the Sibelius First--or is it? The stunning opening of the First announces a mature, original genius, but the finale can easily sound like imitation Tchaikovsky, as in the Stokowski and Maazel/Vienna recordings. Some people like these recordings; I don't. Other conductors--Berglund, Jansons, and Colin Davis among them--work hard to make the finale worthy of the first three movements. Davis is by and large successful, with only one rather awkward moment. I bought the Davis First when it came out on LP and have liked it ever since.

The Davis Second is a performance one would be happy to hear in concert, but doesn't offer any special insights. Listen to the Barbirolli/Royal Philarmonic Second and you'll hear a conductor who believes completely in the heroism and grandeur of this symphony while presenting a specifically Sibelian sound world. Because this symphony is so popular, some conductors who don't perform much Sibelius apply a generalized romantic veneer. Davis gets the specifically Sibelian sound, but doesn't find the passion.

The Gramophone reviewer applauds Davis for taking the slow movement of the Fourth at a really slow tempo, but I think this wrecks the symphony. In theory, a slow tempo ought to enhance the bleakness of this northern landscape, but in actuality the slow tempo turns the specifics of the score into something generalized, more romanticized, and warmer. This isn't intended to be the kind of slow movement where not much happens. Very specific orchestral events occur, and are defeated by the overall cold. Listen to Berglund or to Maazel/Vienna at the more normal tempo, and see which you prefer.

No problems with the Davis Fifth. Davis gets the tempo relationships right and offers a committed performance. If you're comparing overall cycles, Davis offers a solid introduction to the Sibelius symphonies, especially if supplemented by the Barbirolli/Royal Philharmonic Second and the Maazel/Vienna Fourth. I prefer the Berglund cycle, which also includes good performances of tone poems and incidental music which most Sibelians will want to acquire.

Davis favors reflection over power.......2005-12-12

This widely admired Sibelius cycle from the Seventies, now on two budget Duos from Philips, displays Colin Davis's abiding view of Sibelius as a meditative, inward composer. These aren't powerful, sweeping itnerpretations of the kind conducted by Karajan and Bernstein, nor are they raw material for fervent personal expression, as one finds with Barbirolli. Davis is cool-to-chilly much of the time, abetted by elegant, restrained playing from the BSO. The orchestra had just emerged from a low period under Leinsdorf and had been partially rebuilt by William Steinberg, who unfortunately died suddenly after only a few years with them. Even so, the strings in particular sound very secure.

When this set was first issued I was more taken with it than I am now. In its understated way, despite stretches of inertness, it still sounds more musical than Maazel with the Vienna Phil. (Decca), and the orchestra is miles ahead of the Halle under Barbirolli (EMI) or the various Finnish ensembles condcuted in two cycles by Berglund. Davis's later two cycles with the LSO cross the line and become too static. Claims that these performances are definitve make little sense to me given all the great conductors--Kajanus, Stokowski, Koussevitzky, Beecham, Bernstien, Karajan, Rattle--who offer more than equal competition.

An Introduction to Sibelius.......2005-12-04

The seven symphonies of Jean Sibelius (1865 -- 1957) are among the most impressive musical achievements of the Twentieth Century. His music fell into obscurity briefly at around the time of his death but fortunately has been restored to its rightful place. Few Twentieth Century composers have been so influential.

Colin Davis is a master of Sibelius' music, and his first cycle of the symphonies with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, available on two "duo" CD sets on Phillips, is available at a budget price. Sibelius's symphonies reward a "completist" approach. There are only seven, and the listener can follow the set in order and learn how Sibelius developed from a composer heavily influenced by late romanticism, including Tchaikovsky, Bruckner, and Wagner, to a modernist composer with a difficult, complex voice. For those wanting a guide, I recommend Michael Steinberg's book "The Symphony" (1995). Steinberg obviously loves Sibelius, and he discusses each of his symphonies in a clear, nontechnical way.

This CD includes Sibelius' first, second, fourth, and fifth symphonies which are probably his best-known and most accessible. The four-movement symphony no 1 in E minor opus 39 dates from 1899 when the composer was in his early 30s. Listen to the long, melancholy clarinet solo which opens this symphony. The second movement is lyrical and romantic, uncharacteristic of the later Sibelius, with a lush horn solo. The third movement is a brusque scherzo with a slow fragmented trio which points to Sibelius' later style. The finale builds to a great climax and then the music seems to come apart. It fades away at the end.

The symphony no 2 in D major, opus 43 is a triumphant, victory work in four movements Listen to the soft, repeated chords with which the work begins. They form the basis for the entire symphony as Sibelius creates ambiguities -- shifting from using his opening material as a harmonic backdrop to using it as the theme. The music develops from fragmentary themes as Sibelius embroiders them into a large-scale integrated work. The second movement features horns, bassoons, and rushing strings and includes marked changes in tempo and mood. In the third movement, listen to the nine repeated notes on the oboe with which the trio begins. The famous finale is based upon two stirring themes, the second of which eventually predominates and forms the basis for the inspiring, triumphant close. This is a deservedly loved symphony in the heroic mode.

Sibelius' symphony no 4, opus 63 dates from 1911 and is one of the composer's most difficult and enigmatic scores. It is Sibelius at his most personal, dark, alone, and somber. In this work, Sibelius experiements with tonality. He makes great use of the whole-tone scale, as did Debussy and of an attendant interval consisting of three whole steps called the tritone. This gives the music an unstable, questioning character. Steinberg writes: "aloneness, a sense of the contrast between human and superhuman scale, the impact of enormously concentrated experience -- these are perhaps the images that, unbidden, lodged in Sibelius's mind as he conceived and began to fix the musical gestures of his unsettling masterwork." The symphony is predominantly slow and somber and challenging. Listen to the sad song of the third movement and to the bells (chimes) in the finale of this work. Sibelius' fourth symphony, together with his sixth and seventh symphonies on the other part of this compiliation, are each highly modernistic, unique compositions that grow with time.

The final work on this compilation if the symphony no. 5 in E-flat major, opus 82. Sibelius revised this symphony extensively, and the final version dates from 1919. The key of e-flat major often is used for heroic, broad-scaled music (think of Beethoven's Eroica symphony and Emperor concerto) and, with his own developing sense of restraint and ambiguity, Sibelius so uses it here. The work is generally described as in three movements (some listeners hear the first movement as two movements, joined together without a pause) which are closely integrated. The long first movement builds and builds from basically short, fragmentary material, includes a quick scherzo, which some people consider as the second movement. In any event, the material is tied together and integrated magesterially, concluding the opening section of the symphony. The second movement is a theme and variations in which a woodwind chorale sings througout as the backdrop to a short figure in the strings. The third movement takes materials presented as background in the second movement and makes it the basis for a rolling and repeated chorus in the french horns presented early in the finale. The finale of Sibelius' fifth develops to a stunning climax punctuated by the famous six large and irregularly spaced chords with which it concludes. I find this symphony similar to Sibelius' second, but in a more complex, original, and modernistic voice.

I think Sibelius has entered that relatively small class of composers that every lover of music should get to know. There is no better way of hearing Sibelius than in this CD and its companion CD by Colin Davis.

Robin Friedman

One of my favorite recordings.......2005-04-28

It is hard for me to place a finger on why I identify so much with Sibelius' music. There's a degree of sparseness and simplicity to it, yet also intensity and longing. I welcome it as a sound track to my life because it seems to speak of the individual and a feeling of "aloneness" whether it be walking on a deserted beach, a mountainous trail, or making my way through a busy city. In any case, the cd case that holds my copy of this recording is quite tattered, shattered, and scuffed up. I consider it and volume 2 some of the better cds in my collection. Before I knew much about orchestral music, I used to (and this is probably due to media stereotyping at an early age) connotate it with background music for grandiose social events for the social and political elite. But thankfully the symphonies of Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Mahler, and Sibelius make the case for music going far beyond social function to the outer reaches of individual expression and enlightenment.

Sibelius: The 7 Symphonies; Finlandia; Kullervo; etc.

Average customer rating:

Must buy
Simply great Sibelius
Splendid Performances from LSO and Sir Colin Davis

Sibelius: The 7 Symphonies; Finlandia; Kullervo; etc.

Manufacturer: RCA
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00011KOF4
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Customer Reviews:

Must buy.......2006-05-16

Superlative seven-CDS hyper-bargain bid from BMG can't never beat that!!Over-all an allround best buy If you snooze you lose

Simply great Sibelius.......2006-05-15

At less than 20GBP, this set offers a most excellent initiation to the world of Johan Sibelius s'masterly work. A nice collection, that includes the symphonies (1--7) with important compositions such as the ever fascinating Kulervo and myriads of "TonePoems". The L.S.O play together with dedication, the sound and direction by sir Colin Davis increase the impression of greatness in the music. I was a little skeptical of the new Davis Kulervo "live", of which I prefer this one on rca, but been of course amazed by the L.S.O.Live powerful versions of symphonies 3 & 7. Otherwise, I generally love this uniformly excellent set, even more so than the earlier cycle in Boston of which I still like, above all, symphonies 5&6. Here, with this rca set, the "highlights" are to be found in symphonies 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, as well as in a bracing and quite dramatic Kulervo. Among the poems, En Saga and Pohjola really shine along with a wonderful Suite Karelia. Of course everything is not perfection, but who will pretend to be anyway? I recommend highly this important box set, even more than the competitive 5CD Naxos however very good it is. Davis is a master Sibelian, no doubt about that. Kind regards. m.vuriling

Splendid Performances from LSO and Sir Colin Davis.......2004-12-31

This 7 CD set includes all of Sir Colin Davis' second Sibelius symphony cycle recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra in the 1990's, along with almost all of Sibelius' other major orchestral works, most notably his tone poems (Some of these were recorded as recently as 2000 or 2001.). These are impressive, vibrant performances replete with exquisite playing by the London Symphony Orchestra. Critics have praised Davis' first Sibelius symphony cycle with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as among the best; without question, his second symphony cycle is not only just as fine, but comes with better quality digital sound (However, with respect to sound, the best Sibelius symphony cycle that he's recorded may be the recent one with the LSO Live CD label.). I especially enjoyed the recordings of Sibelius' 2nd, 5th and 7th symphonies, and the tone poem En Saga, but all of Sibelius' works in this CD set are quite fine. Those interested in hearing music made by Sir Colin Davis, widely regarded as our foremost interpreter of Sibelius, with one of the world's greatest orchestras, the London Symphony Orchestra, will not be disappointed with this CD set.

Average customer rating:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) review May 4th 2002

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4

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The Queen

ASIN: B0000016PH
Release Date: 1996-10-01

Tracks:

I. Andante, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico
II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento)
III. Scherzo. Allegro
IV. Finale (Quasi Una Fantasia). Andante - Allegro Molto
I. Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagi
II. Allegro Molto Vivace
III. Il Tempo Largo
IV. Allegro

Amazon.com

This Sibelius cycle from one of the hometown teams has a lot going for it and received a very positive critical response. Osmo Vänskä's First Symphony is probably the fastest in the history of the piece, and very exciting too. The Fourth, on the other hand, is without a doubt one of the slowest, but it's also one of the most carefully detailed and shaped. Given the fact that the music is almost uniformly bleak and creepy, the result is at times quite terrifying. The Lahti Symphony Orchestra plays this music as if they have something to prove, and they certainly succeed. This is totally committed, highly accomplished playing. Demonstration-quality sound, too. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) review May 4th 2002.......2002-05-05

A review of recordings of Sibelius' 4th symphony, on CD masters on the BBC on Saturday May 4th, brought this recording out top (of about 10-15 that were considered). The reviewer considered the depths of loneliness and despair reached were remarkable!. More info on the BBC website.

Average customer rating:

Try the rest, but buy the best
Very Fine!
Good Sibelius Introduction

Sibelius: Complete Symphonies

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000942LP
Release Date: 2003-07-01

Customer Reviews:

Try the rest, but buy the best.......2005-12-31

You will hear about Berglund, Sir Colin Davis, Leonard Bernstein, Jarvi and others and their renditions of Sibelius' Symphonies but having listened to almost all renditions I come away with this set as my favourite.

Sibelius' music is "wide open" - big - expansive, and Herbert von Karajan and Okko Kamu do an excellent job of bringing this out. Sir Colin Davis' interpretation sorely lacks the sonority, the vibrance and clarity the gives the Symphonies shape and logic. If you listen, just as an example, to the second movement of the 3rd Symphony, you will be astounded by how amateurish the Davis version is. It lacks direction, robustness and majesty. Kamu makes it shine.

This set is highly recommended.

Very Fine!.......2004-10-14

As to characterization in Sibelius no one has the idiom mastered so well as Karajan...even Sibelius agreed that Herbert was the man for his music...he relishes in the incredible simplicity and austere melodic beauty of this music. No sentimentality here...purchase with out guilt!!!

Good Sibelius Introduction.......2004-01-10

Chances are that if you are reading this review, you may be searching for a good Sibelius symphony cycle to purchase. This set, split between the Finnish conductor, Okko Kamu, and the legendary Herbert von Karajan, is a mixed blessing.

Overall, the performances are perfectly acceptable. Kamu gives some fairly convincing readings of the First and Second Symphonies, but the tempi are a bit inconsistent, the brass loud and blatty, and there are some glaring faults in the First Symphony. He does an average job on these great masterpieces.

The prizes in the set are the performances by von Karajan. He does a much finer job bringing out details, controlling dynamic and musical direction, and giving more polished, prepared readings with his superior orchestra. The Fourth Symphony is particularly fine, full of intense, concentrated emotion and commitment from the players.

Tracks:

I: Andante, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico
II: Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento)
III: Scherzo: Allegro
IV: Finale (Quasi Una Fantasia): Andante - Allegro Molto
I: Allegretto
II: Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato
III: Vivacissimo - Lento E Suave - Tempo Primo - Largamente -
IV: Finale: Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

I: Allegro Moderato
II: Andantino Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto
III: Moderato - Allegro (Ma Non Tanto)
I: Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagio
II: Allegro Molto Vivace - Doppio Piu Lento
III: Il Tempo Largo
IV: Allegro

Tracks:

I: Tempo Molto Moderato - Largamente - Allegro Moderato
II: Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto
III: Allegretto Molto - Un Pochettino Largamente
I: Allegro Molto Moderato
II: Allegretto Moderato - Poco Con Moto
III: Poco Vivace
IV: Allegro Molto - Allegro Assai - Doppio Piu Lento

Tracks:

Adagio -
Un Pochettino Meno Adagio - Vivacissimo -
Poco Rallentando Al Adagio - Allegro Molto Moderato - Allegro Moderato - Vivace -
Presto - Adagio - Largamente Molto - Affettuoso
Cantata: Oma Maa, Op.92: 'Our Own Land'
Tulen Synty, Op.32: The Origin Of Fire

Tracks:

I: Introductione: Allegro Moderato
II: Kullervo's Youth: Grave
III: Kullervo And His Sister: Allegro Vivace
IV: Kullervo Goes To Battle: Alla Marcia
V: Kullervo's Death: Andante

Tracks:

The Oceanides, Op.73
I: Intermezzo
III: Alla Marcia
I: All'overtura: Grave - Allegro/II: Scena: Tempo Di Menuetto - Allegro Moderato/III: Festivo: Tempo Di Bolero
Tapiola, Op.112
Finlandia, Op.26
Serenade No.1 in D, Op.69a
Serenade No.2 in g, Op.69b (Lento Assai)

Tracks:

Luonnotar, Op.70
Pohjola's Daughter, Op.49
En Saga, Op.9
I. Nocturne
II. Elegie
III. Musette
IV. Serenade
V. Ballade
The Bard, Op.64

Tracks:

Spring Song, Op.16
III. The Swan Of Tuonela
IV. Lemminkainen's Return
I. At The Castle Gate
II. Melisande
IIa. By The Seashore
III. A Spring In The Park
IV. The Three Blind Sisters
V. Pastorale
VI. Melisande At The Spinning-wheel
VII. Entr'acte
VIII. The Death Of Of Melisande
Valse Triste
Scene With Cranes
II. The Harp
III. The Maidens With Roses
IV. Listen, The Robin Sings
VI. Swanwhite And The Prince

Customer Reviews:

5 stars for the syms.......2006-03-18

with the Helsinki
3 Stars for the Bourgemouth on the poems.
But truth be told, no matter how EMPHATIC statements that his syms are not programmatic, that is fall into a logical step by step order, they are just that, very predictible.
I've given these syms 30 yrs, and lately I've lost interest.
While Schonberg, Berg, Webern, Varese were scoring creative new atonal/poloytonal works of new genius, here was Sibelius struggling with old forms, that fail to deliver anything really new. And he knew it, and bothered him to no end.
I feel there is way too much Beethoven/Bruckner(I like neither) influence in the syms for me to become a fan of the syms. I like the 1st sym "somewhat" that is I never listen to it, and small parts of the 4-7 syms. But I'm afraid I only like Sibelius pre 1905, the Kullervo, VC, tone poems. Here is where the genius of Sibelius truly lies.
The syms long ago held some interest, but lately i've moved on to Schnittke and Pettersson.
I also much prefer Vaughan Wialliams syms to all of Sibelius.
Sibelius was a genius in his element, that of representing the folk ideas of his land. His syms are like a string of ideas that lack the connective passages. IOW the whole is less than the few interesting parts.

Beautiful and comprehensive compilation of Sibelius works.......2005-09-29

For me, this has been the year of Sibelius. Previously, I had listened to (and enjoyed) Finlandia. I also had a couple of the symphonies but hadn't listened too them but once or twice. After listening to Finlandia again, I decided to seek out more SIbelius to sample. After some searching through reviews, I settled upon this compilation of works because it offered a large variety of Sibelius and seemed to be well-received. I have been very happy with this purchase! Not only have I spent countless hours listening to each of the 8 disks in this set, the enjoyment of the music has led me to many other wonderful performances of Sibelius by other worthy conductors such as Ashkenazy and Vanska. Still, this boxed set will always be fondly remembered as the one that introduced me to the wonders of so many of these pieces.

I was immediately captured by the haunting clarinet solo that begins the first symphony. All of the symphonies, performed by the Helsinki Orchestra, are recorded in very clear digital sound -- so the solo and the pecussion accompanyment were perfectly captured. I was hooked by the first symphony, but all of the symphonies are presented clearly and with outstanding interpretations. The Helsinki Philharmonic has always had a strong affiliation with Sibelius's music, and Paavo Berglund is a renowned Sibelius conductor who has recorded three separate symphony cycles (once with the Bournemouth Symphony orchestra, the 2nd time with these recordings, and a third time with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe). The commitment felt by the conductor and orchestra comes through in these performances.

In addition to the complete symphony cycle, there are a number of other treasures. A fine version of Finlandia is accompanied by a number of truly delightful tone poems such as Tapiola, the haunting Swan of Tuonela and Lemminkainen's Return (from the Lemminkainen Suite). These tone poems were inspired by the Finnish Kalevala. Other tone poems such as the Oceanides and Spring Song were inspired by Sibelius's love of nature. All receive strong performances by Berglund conducting the Bournemouth Symphony (in analog sound that is still quite good). The violin serenades (especially no. 2) were unexpected delights. The version of Kullervo is magnificent, as is the singing in Luonnotar and Oma maa. This set is a treasure trove of Sibelius treats!

excellent collection.......2004-06-28

This box set includes Sibelius' all symphonies, with Kullervo and his almost complete tone poems. The Symphonies are performed by Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Kullervo and tone poems with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. All of them conducted by Paavo Berglund, who always a champion on performer of Sibelius.

Even so there are his incidental musics: Pelleas et Melisande, Swanwhite, Kuolema and King Christian II.
Especially Pelleas and Kuolema (which includes ever famous Valse triste) are the most beautifuls. Pelleas et Melisande is a very impressive music, and the best "Pelleas" music with Debussy's Pelleas (opera).

Kullervo is symphony-cantata for two soloists, men-chorus and orchestra, which be constitued in 5 movements, comparable in artistically with Mahler's 2nd Symphony "Resurrection". Especially the last movement "Kullervo's Death" is very effective, pathetique.

And one more a vocal work, a tone poem for soprano and orchestra: Lounnutar. This is based on Kalevala again, and Luonnotar is creator of nature in this poem. It is a very radical work, like his darkful 4th Symphony and The Bard. I think, The Bard is one of the best works of the composer, with it's harmonis, dark colours, contemplative mood. Still, this was written in tragic E-flat minor. It is based on a mythologic creature which plays an harp, like lyre in Greek mythology. And in the last minutes there is a dramatic climax and then music slowly fades out.

And there is the best Tapiola recording, I've ever heard (with Petri Sakari's version at Naxos). This is based on Kalevala, again. Tapio is the name of the forest god, according story. There are very impressive contrasts between hypnotic, a little hesitated, light colours and dramatic darkful colours. The orchestration is marvellous again. Especially, in last minutes there is a terrific storm scene and it's very spine chilling. Climaxes (which played by brass) are very powerful...

This is a very good addition to collectors of Sibelius fans and any classical music lovers. Highly recommended.

A must for Sibelius lovers.......2003-01-07

Jean Sibelius is one of those composers who I feel that even on his off days he did well. While I certainly can't say I enjoy all of his music enough to buy (Sacaramouche for instance), most of his music is highly pleasureful. All of the pieces on this set, conducted by Paavo Berglund, save maybe one or two, are part of the later catagory.

This set consists of most of Sibelius's major orchestral music, with the notible exceptions of Night Ride and Subrise, the first two sections of the Lemmenkainen Suite, and the Violin Concerto. It also contains such rarities as Origin of Fire, Our Own Land, and excepts from Swan White.

Berglund, I believe, was the first to fully record a complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies. The recordings here are not from his first set (which I have not heard), but the second cycle recorded in the mid-80s. The symphonies and two canatas mentioned above are recorded in digital, while the rest is analog. It's all in very good sound, though not perfect. That they wanted to keep the D and A recodings on seperate discs is the only possible reason I can see for why they left out the Violin Concerto (there's plenty of room on disc 4).

Now of course, contents are one thing, but what really matters is performance. And suffice it to say, they for the most part shine. This has easily the finest Symphony 1 I've heard, and the finale of Symphony 5 (truly one of the greatest works of the 20th century) shines with brillance. Symphony 3 makes its mark nicely, and Symphony 2, while perhaps a bit on the fast side, is certainly up to par. The only disappointment is Symphony 7, which falls totally flat compared to Davis/BSO.

The two cantatas are wonderful rarities, but its disc 5 where the choral aspect is full played out -- Kullervo. If you've never heard this piece, it's a 75 minute long programatic symphony (to use to term losely) with many ups and downs. This was the first ever recording, and most say it hasn't been topped.

The final three discs contain shorter works. Especially noteable are the absolutely beautiful Serenade #2 for Violin and Orchestra, the hauntingly lovely Luonnotar, a very rousing version of Lemminkainen's Return, and a passionate Pelleas and Mellsande.

Of course, it's almost impossible to have this big a set without some disapointments. Beyond the aformentioned Symphony 7, there's also not overly convincing Finlandia, and a WAY too slow Karelia Intermezzo. Thankfully, the rest of the set makes up for it. It's a great deal at only about $7 a disc retail, and if you're like me, on you'll keep coming back to.

A terrific and near-perfect set.......2002-04-05

This release couples Berglund's classic Bournemouth recordings of the Kullervo Symphony and a host of tone poems with his most recent cycle of the Symphonies.

The Bournemouth recordings are legendary, especially the Kullervo, which belongs in every classical music library. There is a real warmth to these readings, which charms me into letting the minor flaws in playing pass. The sound is pretty good, though slightly muddy at times (particularly in Tapiola), and the selections have been excellently remastered.

The Symphonies, recorded with the Helsinki Philharmonic in superb digital sound, are a real peak in the discography. Berglund doesn't play his Sibelius lukewarm; his readings are sharp, neo-classical and very powerful. You won't confuse these recordings with those of Colin Davis to be sure. Very comparable to Maazel's earlier readings with the Vienna Philharmonic, but with less over-dramatization. His First, Second, Third, Sixth and Seventh are as good as any, and his reading of the Fourth, while rather bleak for my taste (I like the idea of some kind of softening at the end) is a coherent vision, almost harsh in it's execution.

I really like Maazel's Pittsburgh Fifth, and Berglund's recording in no way comes close to Maazel's splendor or power as a total conception. But, Berglund's middle movement is the best I've heard by far; the obsessively repeated melody seems to weave in and out of the orchestral fabric very seductively. Berglund's knack for architecture is spot on here.

Tracks:

I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico
II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento)
III. Scherzo (Allegro)
IV. Finale: Quasi Una Fantasia (Andante - Allegro Molto)
I. Allegretto
II. Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato
III. Vivacissimo
IV. Finale (Allegro Molto)

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andantino Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto
III. Moderato - Allegro (Ma Non Tanto)
I. Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagio
II. Allegro Molto Vivace
IIII. Il Tempo Largo
IV. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Superb Sibelius .......2007-02-28

After listening to the Davis recordings of the Sibelius symphonies for years, I thought it time to seek out another set of these symphonic masterpieces. I knew that these interpretations with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra under Paavo Berglund were highly recommended by the Penguin guide, and thus decided to try them out. Well, I have been duly rewarded in my purchase, and actually, I believe the present set to surpass the famed Davis recordings in many (if not most) ways.

Berglund and the HPO take ideal tempi throughout; really, just perfect. There are many points in the Davis recordings (particularly in the first and third symphonies) were I found myself wishing for a faster or slower tempo; this is not the case here. Granted, Berglund does not go out on any limbs, and stays pretty close to the norm (whatever that is); but I believe this to be the set's greatest quality. There are no interpretational extremes or indulgences, just the genius of Sibelius at full speed ahead. Particularly noteworthy are the interpretations of the second and third symphonies, with the former being, I believe, the best I have ever encountered (competing with and surpassing Karajan, Davis, Bernstein, Ashkenazy, and Jarvi). Although I do prefer Davis and Ashkenazy in the fourth, the HPO are no slouches in the A minor, and this is only a minor quibble in a stunning set of orchestral masterpieces.

So, if you don't have it yet, get it. The price is unbeatable, and the interpretations warrant double what it costs. I look forward to getting symphonies 5 though 7 (also of course on EMI) in the mail next week, and from what I have heard in this first installment, I think I would feel pretty safe in a preemptive endorsement of one of the great complete Sibelius symphony cycles.

Average customer rating:

Peaks and lows!
Exhilarating Sibelius recordings
didn't even know all of these symphonies, but they're gems!!
The Forgotten Member of the "Three S's"
Very good and very exciting

Sibelius: The Symphonies
Jean Sibelius , Lorin Maazel , and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mendelssohn: The Symphonies, Vol.2
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ASIN: B0000041Z3
Release Date: 1992-02-11

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: I Andante - Allegro energico - J. Sibelius
Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: II Adante - J. Sibelius
Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: III Scherzo: Allegro - J. Sibelius
Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: IV Finale (quasi una fantasia) - J. Sibelius
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 63: I Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio - J. Sibelius
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 63: II Allegro molto vivace - J. Sibelius
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 63: III II tempo largo - J. Sibelius
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 63: IV Allegro - J. Sibelius

Tracks:

Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 43: I Allegretto - Jean Sibelius
Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 43: II Tempo adante - Jean Sibelius
Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 43: III Vivacissimo - Jean Sibelius
Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 43: IV Allegro moderato - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 3 In C Major, Op. 52: I Allegro Moderato - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 3 In C Major, Op. 52: II Adantino con moto, quasi allegretto - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 3 In C Major, Op. 52: III Moderato - Allegro (ma non tanto) - Jean Sibelius

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 In E-flat Major, Op. 82: I Tempo molto moderato - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 5 In E-flat Major, Op. 82: II Adante mosso, quasi allegretto - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 5 In E-flat Major, Op. 82: III Allegro molto - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 6 In D Minor, Op. 104: I Allegro molto moderato - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 6 In D Minor, Op. 104: II Allegretto moderato - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 6 In D Minor, Op. 104: III Poco vivace - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 6 In D Minor, Op. 104: IV Allegro molto - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No 7 In C Major, Op. 105 - Jean Sibelius

Customer Reviews:

Peaks and lows!.......2006-02-02

I bought this set due my huge respect for Sibelius music. The combined presence of that beloved Orchestra and Lorin Maazel were two great poles of attraction, but at the end the final result was -pitifully- quite irregular.

Let me put on this way; Maazel is outstanding in the First Symphony with two important references; De Sabata New york and Stokowski with the Royal Philharmonic (1977); the Second belongs to Anthony Collins (forget about it any other recording ever made; this is a supreme musical document); the Third has in Collins another serious contender, the Fourth has several and succesful performances: the sublime version of Tomas Beecham, Segerstam, Leonard Bernstein and Ashkenazy.

The Five is weak, and the jewel of the crown is the Sixth Symphony. The Seventh finds Koussevitzkly and Beecham again.

But for all Sibelius fans it is absolutely recommended to make their own conclusions.

Exhilarating Sibelius recordings.......2004-02-15

Having bought supposedly "legendary" and "landmark" Sibelius recordings before and been sorely disappointed, I must confess to having misgivings as soon as I'd pressed the 'order' button for this set. Would all the praise turn out to be the usual hyperbole? I shouldn't have worried...

There's a real sense of excitement in these recordings and they are full of vitality and character. The Vienna players bring obvious enthusiasm and drive to these wonderful works but there's great subtlety and a deep understanding of the music too. So much so that just hearing them play the 1st (a performance that crackles with an energy that matches the vitality and invention of the writing) reminded me of the awe I felt when I first discovered Sibelius several years ago, and I don't think any CDs I've bought since my first purchase of these symphonies has had that effect.

I'd agree with most in saying that the highlights are the 4th and 7th - the latter performance really capturing the epic sweep and intense beauty of this masterpiece. In passing, is there anything more sublime in all music than the first 10 minutes or so of Sibelius' 7th (and the remaining 10 minutes are pretty good too)? The 1st and the 5th deserve very high praise as well. The 5th is a work I've always admired more than enjoyed but this account grips me from the first note to the last chord. I gather that true aficianados of the 5th have reservations about it, however. Sadly, the 6th is a big disappointment: after a very beautiful opening section it's ruined by very fast tempi in the inner movements and some very rough-hewn playing, and sound, indeed. The first movement of the 3rd is also taken at breakneck speed but still manages to be a rewarding performance.

True, the '60s sound is a bit on the bright side, very occasionally even coarse, and the discs are not completely free of muddled playing and even a little questionable intonation, but these are rare blemishes so don't be put off. You can hardly go wrong at this price anyway, can you?

My only caveat would be that I wouldn't really recommend this as your only source of these symphonies - some of the performances are a bit idiosyncratic by current standards for that. Get some good modern recordings as well. For very little money you can't beat Adrian Leaper's superb cycle on Naxos or indeed his later recordings for Arte Nova; both of these contain 7ths that - sorry, purists - leave even Mr Maazel's in the shade. Petri Sakari, also on Naxos, is a good bet too, if a little over praised. But do invest in this excellent little box.

didn't even know all of these symphonies, but they're gems!!.......2002-07-03

I absolutely ADORE the middle CD with 2 and 3 on it... so I usually overlisten to just that one. But while reading the book version of Star Trek V one day, I listened to all seven symphonies in a row. What fun! This is a really great recording. And I am superpicky b/c I like my romantics/postromantics to be just PERFECT, not too fast but not too lugubrious.

In short, this is a good bet for Sibbe ;-)

The Forgotten Member of the "Three S's".......2002-01-16

With only a slight apology to the traditional "three B's" of music, we might describe the pre-WWII 20-century in music as dominated by the three S's - Sibelius, Schoenberg and Stravinsky.

But where Schoenberg and Stravinsky were the highly publicized polar opposites of the tumultuous stylistic changes through the course of the 20th century, this was one march with which Sibelius did not feel obliged to keep step. The fact is, for every composer who proclaimed that the only way for music to go was forward (or in some other "interesting" direction), there was another composer who - without simply (and lazily) "re-writing" the Music of the Past - quietly and calmly insisted that the roots of the past were needed, for the shoots of future growth.

Indeed, Stravinsky himself (though in his characteristically flamboyant manner) drew attention to the importance of the past, in the many famous pastiches of his Neo-Classical period.

The musical development of Sibelius had little to do with this argument of Who the Future of Music Belongs to; indeed, for his own reasons, Sibelius was so disenchanted with the gap between what he felt his music ought to be doing, and what All the Musical Rage Was, that he struggled with an eighth symphony, put in a good deal of work on it, but at the last decided to destroy all trace of it.

My favorite among the Sibelius symphonies is probably the sixth. There is a directness, and an economy of expression, which taken together with the instrumental ingenuity which characterizes all of his work, plus an affinity I have for his musical materials - al of this make the sixth one of my favorite symphonies, by any composer.

Notwithstanding the occasional quibble with slight infelicities of detail, there is fine musicianship which carries most of the symphonies in this set. I find no particular disappointments in the sixth and seventh, and much to the contrary, I find these to be particularly convincing performances. I think that Maazel's muscular, at times brisk, approach to Sibelius' work is truer to the composer's spirit than is the Ormandy whoosh. Ironic that a fellow reviewer should mention Ormandy, as we do have an Ormandy recording of the Sibelius second; for the most part, I far prefer Maazel on this set.

It is possible that more people are talking about the Mahler symphonies, and that more conductors are taking up more orchestral time with rehearsing and performing the Mahler symphonies; but apart from this superficial sense, there is no case to be made for Mahler's work "replacing" Sibelius'. Mahler's work is easier to follow, and often has a maudlin, sentimental character with which it is easier for the average listener to "identify"; but Sibelius' music is well made, and uses the orchestra for the incredibly subtle and expressive macro-instrument which it is. Sibelius writes for the orchestra in a manner which enables a conductor to lead, and an orchestra to play, without any need for a medium to seek the composer out in a crystal ball to ask what he meant, really, by writing such-and-so a passage.

Sibelius is a great antidote to Mahler, for his work demonstrates that music can be exciting and emotional, without being antisocial and narcissistic. There is something lastingly wholesome about Sibelius, and inescapably morbid about Mahler.

The Great Pendulum will turn again, and Mahler will be a footnote; and Sibelius will be the magnificent saga, seemingly rough-hewn, yet in fact carefully shaped and marvellously balanced.

Very good and very exciting.......2001-12-13

Save for the disappointments of the Fifth and Sixth, this Sibelius Cycle is the one to own. And for those two symphonies, I recommend Maazel's second cycle, with the Pittsburgh Symphony.

These recordings are spacious, and well defined. The remastering is a bit grainy, but the performance qualities overwhelm any worries about sound quality.

Maazel here conducts Sibelius with an urgency, with a rush, that I haven't heard anywhere else. His sense for the architecture of Sibelius's symphonies is greater even than Berglund's, and his orchestra, the VPO, responds to his every whim like a well-trained gymnast.

Tracks:

(Cd 1) Symphony No.1 Symphony No4
(Cd 2) Symphony No.2 Finlandia . Karelia Suite
(Cd 3) Symphony No.3 Symphony No.6 . Tapiola
(Cd 4) Symphony No.5. Symphony No.7. En Saga
(Cd 5) Violin Concerto* 2 Serious Melodies*

Customer Reviews:

The performances aren't first rate, but the recordings are.......2006-09-27

As these recordings appeared from 1979 to 1984, it became apparent that Ashkenazy was making a major bid to shift his career from pianist to conductor. As a star on the Decca label, he was given free rein, the company's engineers supplying him with spectacular sonics that sitll hold up for detail, impact, and wide dynamics. Every movement leaps out of the speakers. But the underlying interpretations, to my ear, are haphazard. Like Rostropovich, another great Russian instrumentalist who couldn't quite translate his mastery to the podium, Ashkenazy's Sibelius works by fits and starts. Sometimes he plunges in vigorously, at other times backs away and loses the rhythmic line. There's a lot of indulgent shaping of melodies--in all he's no cometiiton for great Sibelians like Karajan, Beecham, and Bernstein. Boris Belkin, the soloist in the Violin Concerto, is precise and extroverted but no match for the illustrious soloist--Heifetz, Shaham, Kremer, Oistrakh, etc.--who preceded and followed him.

Even so, the general thrust of Ashkenazy's readings is vigorously energetic, so I prefer hi to latter-day Colin Davis, and the Philharmonia plays much better than the various Scandinavian orchestras that produce most Sibelius recordings today. If you want to be thrilled by sheer sound, this bargain set--all the cheaper on the used market--can't be beat.

Fire and ice ..........2006-01-31

The glorious First Symphony in this Sibelius Cycle for this particular listener immediately sets the scene: bold and full-bodied playing, truly opening up all the warmer and darker sentiments of Sibelius' music, which to my ears has always, underneath a certain 'cool reserve', been deeply emotional and deeply 'human': how very 'Northern' in its sensibilities. Fire and ice. How intensely sweet and sad at the same time the main theme of the andante is played here! Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia Orchestra to my feeling dig deeply into all the emotions, really making the heart-strings of this particular listener resonate. The orchestral playing is both powerful/'muscled' and flowing, with nice legato. The same can also be said for the performances of the other symphonies. I will mince no words: just buy this if you love Sibelius' symphonies recorded in full, wide and directly recorded sound (typically Decca/London?), played in an unabashedly bold (romantic) way, letting bloom to the full all of the emotions.
But if you love this, I urge you to sample the (recent) Sibelius cycle by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leif Segerstam (on Ondine). These lively, fresh but sturdy and full-bodied, romantic interpretations by Segerstam and the orchestra that premiered many of Sibelius' works under the composer's own direction, are simply revelatory (well, certainly to the ears of this particular amateur listener) and at least as well played - helped by a typical (for Ondine) crystal clear, perfectly balanced soundpicture.

Great Sibelius among much great Sibelius.......2005-11-11

There is no dearth of great Sibelius cycles - many are very good and all are less controversially regarded as good than most cycles of other symphonists. Small countries have gone to war over which Mahler cycle is the best, families have separated over Bruckner questions along Wand vs. Celibidache vs. Jochum lines... and small arms fire must on occasion decide which LvB cycle is primatur.

No such emotions when it comes to the cool Sibelius symphonies. Wouldn't be prudent. Too much good stuff is out there... and even if it were not the necessary top choice, few lovers of Siblius would claim not to be able to live with any of the three Colin Davis cycles or Osmo Vanska's or the almost-complete Karajan cycle on DG or Berglund's EMI traversal. Some English people might even accept the Rattle cycle as sufficient - and only a few people would sneer at the Barbirolli set of Sibelius' 7... although that's already one step out of the mainstream.

I personally hold Vanska in the highest regards - but Vladimiar Ashkenazy makes a good point in his recordings for those who claim he's a better conductor than a pianist. Indeed, if price is to play an issue, too, I'd place his cycle at the very top of my list. He's improved as a conductor over the years, but in this one he was already ahead of himself. It is solidly played throughout all the symphonies and then some. Not as 'safe' as Jaervi in either of his two cycles, not quite as all-out as Vanska. Cool but with northern fire. Excellent attacks and a lyrical side. In the reissue Decca threw in the tone poems and the violin concerto - all at a great price. These performances might be supplemented in individual symphonies according to ones own taste and preference - but they leave little to desire and I can only wish that I would have had them as my first and basic Sibelius set instead of Maazel. (No offense, Lorin!)

Very much recommended.

Average customer rating:

"Spirit of the Pine Tree and the Wind"

Sibelius: The Symphonies [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0009YVC4K
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Customer Reviews:

"Spirit of the Pine Tree and the Wind".......2006-01-03

This is a splendid new Sibelius cycle from Neeme Jarvi, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (the National Orchestra of Sweden), and the art department of Deutsche Grammophon. Symphonies No. 1 and 2 are recorded live, and the SACD hybrid sound is superb. The four discs are enclosed in a box, and the box and sleeves feature beatiful photos by Olaf Otto Becker.

The GSO's Sibelius tradition began in 1907, and Sibelius conducted the orchestra in 1911, 1915 and 1923. The Sixth Symphony is dedicated to Wilhelm Stenhammar, who was the GSO conductor at the time. Neeme Jarvi has conducted the GSO performing the Second Symphony, its "signature tune," more than 70 times (!), and several complete symphonic cycles, and so there is a deep rapport. I am hearing the Second with new ears, and my favorites, the Third, Fifth and Sixth, sound wonderful.

I make no claim that this is the best Sibelius cycle -- the cycle by Davis and Boston on Philips is still hard to beat -- but as with any of the greats, it's nice to have alternative interpretations to compare. This is a fine new cycle in state-of-the-art sound. (The quote I used for a title is a label Sibelius attached to a theme from the finale of the Sixth Symphony, but it could well describe much of the music of Sibelius.)

Average customer rating:

Something Inherently Right About This Complete Symphonies Set
Rock-solid performances in superior BIS sound
Great performances

Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Sibelius: The 7 Symphonies; Finlandia; Kullervo; etc.

ASIN: B00005Q450
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

I. Andante, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico
II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento)
III. Scherzo. Allegro
IV. Finale (Quasi Una Fant). Andante - Allegro Molto
I. Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagio
II. Allegro Molto Vivace
III. Il Tempo Largo
IV. Allegro

Tracks:

I. Allegretto
II. Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato
III. Vivacissimo - Attacca
IV. Finale. Allegro Moderato
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andantino Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto
III. Moderato - Allegro (Ma Non Tanto)

Tracks:

I. Tempo Tranquillo Assai
II. Allegro Commodo
III. Andante Mosso
IV. Allegro Commodo - Largamente Molto
I. Tempo Molto Moderato - Allegro Moderato
II. Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto
III. Allegro Molto - Largamente Assai

Tracks:

I. Allegro Molto Moderato
II. Allegretto Moderato
III. Poco Vivace
IV. Allegro Molto
Symphony No.7 In C Major
Tapiola

Customer Reviews:

Something Inherently Right About This Complete Symphonies Set.......2006-11-04

Jean Sibelius remains somewhat of an enigma to concertgoers: nearly everyone is enraptured with the second symphony and many swoon over the fifth and seventh symphonies, but so often symphonies one, three, four, and six are overlooked. Yes, his violin concerto is well represented in nearly every contemporary violinist's repertoire, but the tone poems evade popularity. That is why it is exciting to own this fine set of four discs that not only surveys all seven symphonies but also adds the Tapiola as an encore.

Osmo Vänskä conducts the Lahti Symphony Orchestra in an echt recording of Sibelius. Yes, some may prefer a different approach to the more familiar symphonies such as the second, but taken as a whole Vänskä coaxes stunning performances from his ensemble. He allows the massive 'organ pedal' sustaining notes that occur repeatedly in all of the symphonies to sound as if they are the earth itself emerging through splits in the glacial craters of the Scandinavian landscape. His tempi are so correct that they constantly encourage the sense of urgency few other conductors find in the works. If this listener had to select a favorite among the works it would clearly be the performance of the rarely heard and somewhat musically retrospective Symphony No. 3. Rarely has this work seemed so coherent and so ripe with all the ideas that constantly sprang from Sibelius' mind. It is a gem of a performance.

Not one for boxed sets usually, this particular one, recorded with some of the finest sound available, is a mighty exception. It is a solid, consistently inspiring reading of the Sibelius symphonies. Grady Harp, November 06

Rock-solid performances in superior BIS sound.......2003-06-17

Perhaps I've heard more memorable performances of some of these symphonies -- which, along with Debussy and Ravel's orchestral music, are my all-time favorite symphonic works -- but taken as a whole these are quite well played, with tempi reasonably judged and plenty of Sibelian atmosphere. The strings are a tad thin but have an appealing and appropriate "chill" to their sound, and the woodwinds and brass parts are persuasively characterized.

As a bonus, you get BIS' wonderfully natural recorded sound, superior examples of how to properly record a symphony orchestra. If you're looking for one-stop Sibelius symphony shopping, you will be pleased with this collection.

Great performances.......2003-01-23

I own three sets of the Sibelius symphonies: Maazel/VPO, Davis/LSO, and this one. There are still a lot of other ones out there that I haven't heard yet, but if were to make a recommendation this one would be my pick. Vanska and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra give some really fine performances of these works. A few bonuses with this Sibelius cycle is the symphonic poem Tapiola, and the 1915 version of the 5th symphony which is very interesting to compare with the final version. The sound quality is great, and the rather extensive liner notes give some very helpful information about each piece. This set costs a little bit more than some of the other ones available out there, but I think it's worth it.

To be truly honest, my only disappointment with this set was the the 2nd symphony, which seemed to lack some of the intensity that I find in all the other performances in this collection. It's probably because the 2nd is my favorite Sibelius symphony and I'm really picky about it (I own 6 recordings of the 2nd). All I can say is don't let that keep you from buying this set. There are plenty of good recordings of the 2nd out there, so don't be discouraged.

Still, I highly recommend this set. Just listen to some Sibelius. More people need to hear his music.

Music Track: