Rozhdestvensky's Sibelius Cycle

[J]

Just noticed at mdt the Melodiya reissue of Rozhdestvensky's Sibelius Symphonies.

Any opinions on this set, and/or a description of Rozh's interpretive stance (particularly with tempos)?

[mjwal]

Unfortunately I have never heard it but I listened to BBC3 CD Review at the weekend (still available to listen to) and some extended samples were given. Despite the enthusiastic reception on the programme and elsewhere in print, I must say it is not a cycle I shall be acquiring: I found it exciting, yes, but musically my appreciation is ruined by the dreadful recording: the dynamic spectrum is flattened i.e. you are aware of course that Sibelius is getting louder here or there but the dynamic level is all much of a muchness. Then, even worse, while the brass are thrilling (if raw), the strings are hardly to be heard. The musical texture of these works is utterly thrown to the wind (instruments). Not for me.

[DavidRoss]

Sibelius on crank and steroids.  Exciting, provocative, and unlike any other.  Driven.  Not my cup of chai but worth dipping into from time to time.  The sound is not audiophile quality, but it's not nearly as bad as it seems to have sounded to mjwal listening to flattened, compressed streaming samples over the web, though admittedly BBC3's iplayer's 192kbps beats the dickens out of most such abominations!

The missing Mike (M temporary) and I discussed this set here a few years back.  One of us--he, I think--described the sound as if it were recorded in an aircraft hanger:  cavernous.

There are other sets of the cycle I would choose first (and second, third, fourth, maybe even fifth), but if you're really into The Seven and want to hear a radically different approach with that untamed Russian brass, then it's a worthwhile acquisition.  And it may help you to understand even better why Sibelius and his compatriots were so eager to escape Russian domination!

[karlhenning]

Good morning, Dave!

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Hm, some interesting responses...might see if I can pick this one up, as it sounds like an extreme contrast to what I'm used to (Davis, Karajan, Ashkenazy, Berglund).

One of the advantages of being in Moscow is that I get to hear Rozh conduct every now and then. Definitely one of the great conductors of our time.

[Sergeant Rock]

Definitely one of the great conductors of our time.

I agree. He's my favorite Shostakovich conductor. His Bruckner is incredibly fun    I love his Nielsen cycle. Come to think of it, why haven't I bought his Sibelius?

Sarge

[cosmicj]

Sibelius on crank and steroids.  Exciting, provocative, and unlike any other.  Driven.  Not my cup of chai but worth dipping into from time to time.  The sound is not audiophile quality, but it's not nearly as bad as it seems to have sounded to mjwal listening to flattened, compressed streaming samples over the web, though admittedly BBC3's iplayer's 192kbps beats the dickens out of most such abominations!

The missing Mike (M temporary) and I discussed this set here a few years back.  One of us--he, I think--described the sound as if it were recorded in an aircraft hanger:  cavernous.

There are other sets of the cycle I would choose first (and second, third, fourth, maybe even fifth), but if you're really into The Seven and want to hear a radically different approach with that untamed Russian brass, then it's a worthwhile acquisition.  And it may help you to understand even better why Sibelius and his compatriots were so eager to escape Russian domination!

Haha.  Very funny review.  Informative, too.

[DavidRoss]

Haha.  Very funny review.  Informative, too.

Aww, it's nice to be appreciated.  Sometimes I'm flabbergasted by the things some folks read into my or others' comments.  You seem to be reading both the letter of what was written and the tone indicating the spirit in which it was intended.  Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

[vandermolen]

But the box set does have my favourite painting in the National Gallery as its cover image - Gallen-Kallela's 'Lake Keitele'

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

a review

Saw this in a local store. For 540 rubles (less than $20) I wasn't gonna pass it up. So far I've listened to symphonies 1, 4, 6, and 7.

Two very important things. The first is raw excitement. If you're used to "cool Nordic" Sibelius, this is very different. Tempi are fairly fast, and there's a lot of passion in the playing; it's a more impulsive, edge-of-seat approach than I'm used to in Sibelius. The other important aspect is that Rozhdestvensky really gets the tempo relationships right. In certain movements (like the finale of the 6th or the slow mvt. of the 4th), a lot of conductors seem to stumble over tempo; the result is that the music loses direction and my mind wanders. Not a problem with Rozh - he nails these issues, so there's never a dull moment.

The playing is as others have said - the brash Russian approach (which you don't actually hear much anymore) - tangy vibrato-ing brass, buzzy bassoons, steely flutes, thick strings, blurry timps. Subtlety is not much in evidence. This isn't how I'd always like to hear Sibelius, but it certainly adds to the uniqueness of the experience.

The main drawback is the sound, which is indeed somewhat constricted. It's also very close at times; you can hear keys clacking, and the lower strings sound like they're playing right in front of you. I like to get a sense of wide open space in Sibelius, and I don't get much of that here.

Still, I'm very positive about this set. It's never dull or slack, and I felt invigorated after hearing each symphony. I have to extend a kudo to Melodiya for their packaging. Not only does it have that great painting on the cover, it comes in an intriguing fold-out box; the actual CDs are made to look like old-fashioned LPs (they even have grooves!). Definitely a package that will look good on the shelf. The notes are an entertaining, rather impressionistic essay on Sibelius by Rozh himself. (One translation curiosity: the English notes refer to the orchestra as "Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra"; the Russian notes call it "Large Symphony Orchestra of All-Union Radio and Television". I don't understand this discrepancy.)

Now, on to the remaining 3 symphonies. So far, this set is highly recommended for those who want a different take on Sibelius!

[The new erato]

Glowing review in the latest Gramophone.

[mjwal]

Reading this thread is a bit like listening to a group of addicts excitedly discussing the latest delivery of their preferred substance. I am not averse to taking a toke/shot, only what came over from the BBC i-player had definitely been watered down (or isn't that the metaphor I need?). I like the Mravinsky #7, so I am definitely leaning in the right direction...Hitherto my non-mainstream Sibelius of preference has been Garaguly w/Dresden PO (only 1, 2 , 7 and Tapiola) and to a lesser extent the Ole Schmidt/RPO #5, but their orchestras are much tamer, of course.

[dirkronk]

Sibelius on crank and steroids.  Exciting, provocative, and unlike any other.  Driven.  Not my cup of chai but worth dipping into from time to time.  <SNIP>
There are other sets of the cycle I would choose first (and second, third, fourth, maybe even fifth), but if you're really into The Seven and want to hear a radically different approach with that untamed Russian brass, then it's a worthwhile acquisition. 

Actually, Rozh's renditions...in their original flimsy grey-cloth Melodiya LP box set...were long the only complete set of Sibelius that I owned. Bought it back in...oh, maybe the late '70s or possibly early '80s. Still have it. Still love it. No, it won't pass muster as an audiophile item, but that's OK. Back in the day, it was SUCH an exciting alternative to the Sibelius cycles touted by critics (Davis/Boston, Karajan, Berglund EMI, Maazel...well, Maazel at least didn't put me to sleep) that I was overjoyed to have found it. Even back then, it wasn't ideal in all performances. I'd cut my teeth in #1 on the Stokowski and #2 with Barbirolli/RPO, and the Rozh versions didn't change my preferences in those, but his approach DID make me start paying closer attention to the rest of the cycle.

After a few decades of further listening, I have acquired quite a few more full cycles, but I was always disappointed that I couldn't find CDs of the Rozh. Now that they've finally manifested, I may have to buy the set in this format. Thanks for the heads-up!

Cheers,

Dirk

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Reading this thread is a bit like listening to a group of addicts excitedly discussing the latest delivery of their preferred substance.

That's what makes this forum so fun 

I have now listened to the whole set. It's good across the board. I want to modify my criticism of the sound - maybe my ears got used to it, but I think it's better than my original impression. It's like looking at an unsubtle but powerful black & white photograph.

Some peculiarities of interpretation....the big "Thor's hammer" theme in 5/iii is punched out kind of staccato, instead of the smooth legato I usually hear (don't know what the score says, but it's sure interesting to hear it this way). 3/ii is faster than usual, almost dancelike. I hear echoes of Finno-Ugric folk music in the 3rd at times - it sounds very rustic, the opposite of smooth. The endings of both 3 and 5 are roaringly loud and roof-raising.

In short - a great set!