Sibelius Tone Poems

[jochanaan]

I've played Finlandia several times, and Pohjola's Daughter once.  Sibelius is always fun to play!

One of my favorites that hasn't been mentioned yet is The Bard.  It may not have been recorded very often, but there's a Berglund/Bournemouth recording from the '70s that's nice.

For Lemminkainen, there is a truly amazing Eugene Ormandy/Philadelphia recording from the late 1970s.  Most of Ormandy's later recordings, although beautiful, are lacking in "interpretive" qualities, but this one has all the old magic and is splendidly recorded by EMI.

[Daverz]

For Lemminkainen, there is a truly amazing Eugene Ormandy/Philadelphia recording from the late 1970s.  Most of Ormandy's later recordings, although beautiful, are lacking in "interpretive" qualities, but this one has all the old magic and is splendidly recorded by EMI.

Listening to it now.  I don't mean to damn with faint praise if I say that the Ormandy is ideal for night listening.  i'd never get away with the scary deep bass of Jarvi's Bis recording this late at night.

[snyprrr]

Listening to it now.  I don't mean to damn with faint praise if I say that the Ormandy is ideal for night listening.  i'd never get away with the scary deep bass of Jarvi's Bis recording this late at night.

how's the singer in Jarvi?BIS?

[North Star]

how's the singer in Jarvi?BIS?

In Luonnotar, you mean?

[snyprrr]

In Luonnotar, you mean?

yes please

[North Star]

yes please

Assuming it's the same as in the DG box, the glorious Soile Isokoski.

[snyprrr]

Sir Alexander Gibson/ Sibelius: The Complete Tone Poems (Chandos)


1) Are the levels a bit low here? Seems I have to turn it up, but there IS a bloom to it...

2) Sibelius reminds me of christmas...errr,,... sounds like...           (nevermind)...

3) Only Vanska also programmes 'The Bard, 'The Dryad', and 'The Oceanides',... these three were Must Haves and trump many other considerations for me.

4) I like 'Spring Song' but it's about as "low" as I want to go with Sibelius. Can you NOT recommend works like the 'Champetere(?)' suites of trifles and such? The Sibelius I like seems to eschew the typical Viennese overtones, but he does have a lot of "minor minor minor" works that can't be of much interest?


What do you think of:

Scenes historiques I et II

Rakastava


I seem to recall that particular Gibson disc was a cut above?

[snyprrr]

Sir Alexander Gibson/ Sibelius: The Complete Tone Poems (Chandos)


1) Are the levels a bit low here? Seems I have to turn it up, but there IS a bloom to it...

2) Sibelius reminds me of christmas...errr,,... sounds like...           (nevermind)...

3) Only Vanska also programmes 'The Bard, 'The Dryad', and 'The Oceanides',... these three were Must Haves and trump many other considerations for me.

4) I like 'Spring Song' but it's about as "low" as I want to go with Sibelius. Can you NOT recommend works like the 'Champetere(?)' suites of trifles and such? The Sibelius I like seems to eschew the typical Viennese overtones, but he does have a lot of "minor minor minor" works that can't be of much interest?


What do you think of:

Scenes historiques I et II

Rakastava


I seem to recall that particular Gibson disc was a cut above?

Listened to 'The Bard', 'The Dryad', 'The Oceanides', and 'Luonnotar'- now thaaat's entertainment!! Sibelius-style

[snyprrr]

'Tapioca'... err.... I mean 'Tapiola'


Gibson's reading is pretty good- I was trying to picture the 'Kraken' scene from 'Clash of the Titans' but the music just wasn't taking me there. Gibson clocks in at 15:34, which I believe is pretty fast, no?

I CAN hear the 'monster music', but I just wasn't totally enthralled, which, judging by everyone's love of it, I should have been. In a way, I wonder if this music is supposed to be somewhat thematically linked with von Trier's 'Antikrist'- that whole 'wrathful nature' thing?

[snyprrr]

Finlandia

The Oceanides

The Bard
The Dryad

Luonnotar

Lemminkainen and the Maidens of Saari
The Swan of Tuonela
Lemminkainen in Tuonela
Lemminkainen's Homeward Journey

Scenes Historiques I
Scenes Historiques II

Spring Song

Rakastava

Andante Festivo

Tapiola


En Saga
Pohjola's Daughter
Night-Ride and Sunrise
Valse Lyrique

Music from 'Kuolema'

Pelleas and Melisande
King Christian
Swanwhite

[Jaakko Keskinen]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Tulen synty yet? Excellent work, along with Luonnotar, Snöfrid, Kullervo and Maiden in tower it is one of Sibbe's most impressive works for human voice.

Of course, you can argue it is more of a cantata, like Snöfrid. I think they can both be considered tone poems, though.

...didn't anyone even mention Kullervo? Or don't you consider it tone poem either? Or don't you like it? To quote Karl: Hopeless! 

[Jaakko Keskinen]

...and what about Pan and echo?

[Wanderer]

...didn't anyone even mention Kullervo? Or don't you consider it tone poem either?

Kullervo is more often considered a symphony, as far as I know.

[Mirror Image]

The Sibelius Edition set of the tone poems should be sufficient enough to feed your hunger for these works, snyprrr. Enthusiastically recommended.

[vandermolen]

What's your favourite tone poem other than Tapiola. Mine would probably be the Oceanides or The Bard.

[North Star]

Pohjola's Daughter or Oceanides, I think. Rather fond of The Bard, En saga, Wood-nymph too.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Pohjola's daughter, no question.

[vandermolen]

Pohjola's daughter, no question.

Yes, I nearly chose this too. Which recording is your favourite?

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Vassily Sinaisky gives a pretty good performance in his  recording of complete symphonic poems by Sibelius. His Nightride and sunrise is also one of the best I've ever heard.

[Sergeant Rock]

What's your favourite tone poem other than Tapiola.

En saga...and Wood-Nymph.

Sarge