Top 5 Favorite Sibelius Works

[Mirror Image]

Karelia suite
In Memoriam

Both of these are fine works. In Memoriam was a recent discovery for me thanks to the Sibelius Edition.

[vandermolen]

Tapiola x 5

Other than that:

Luonnotar
Oceanides
In Memoriam
Four Legends for Orchestra

[Karl Henning]

Tapiola x 5

Other than that:

Luonnotar
Oceanides
In Memoriam
Four Legends for Orchestra

None of the symphonies makes the cut?

[North Star]

None of the symphonies makes the cut?

Have you heard The Origin of Fire, Karl?

[vandermolen]

None of the symphonies makes the cut?

I love all the symphonies, especially 4,6,7 and increasingly 2 but this is a 'favourites' list. If it had been 'greatest works' I would choose:

Tapiola
Symphony 4
Symphony 7
Symphony 2
Symphony 6

I also like Symphony 3, especially the last movement.

I am not such a fan of No.5 as many people.

[Karl Henning]

Have you heard The Origin of Fire, Karl?

I have not, but I am sure I ought to.

[vandermolen]

I have not, but I am sure I ought to.

It's a great work - was a companion work on my old LP set of Kullervo.

[Ken B]

Symphony 7. This is my favourite piece of music, period.

Since I cannot name his second, third, fourth, fifth best pieces ( symphonies 6,5,4,3 respectively) I will  pick the VC, the sonatina for violin, the quartet, and En Saga.

I attribute Z7's mild error in prefering 6 a sad side effect one too many hearings of La Mer.

[TheGSMoeller]

Symphony 7. This is my favourite piece of music, period.

Which recording is your favs, Ken?

Probably the one symphony I would choose as well. I don't know that much outside of the symphonies, but I love The Swan of Tuonela.

[mszczuj]

Well, you won't believe:

Finlandia

I think it is really exceptional work.

Then:

Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 1
Tapiola

And, as it can't be Symphony No. 2:

Quartet

[Mirror Image]

Well, you won't believe:

Finlandia

I think it is really exceptional work.

Then:

Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 1
Tapiola

And, as it can't be Symphony No. 2:

Quartet

I like Finlandia a lot as well despite it's popularity. The thing I've purposely done is avoid overexposure to the really well-known works. This makes these works even more enjoyable because I don't know them too well. I've done this with a lot of works like Debussy's Faun or Stravinsky's Firebird for example. Finlandia is masterful. Your choice of Symphony No. 1 is a curious one. Don't like the mature symphonies too much?

[Ken B]

Which recording is your favs, Ken?

Probably the one symphony I would choose as well. I don't know that much outside of the symphonies, but I love The Swan of Tuonela.

Of 7 it's Karajan BPO.
Lots of competition. Davis Boston is great, I like Segerstam's slow version on Brilliant. But Herbie is my top pick.

[Mirror Image]

I don't know that much outside of the symphonies, but I love The Swan of Tuonela.

[NJ Joe]

En Saga
Tapiola
The Oceanides
King Christian II
Symphony No. 7

Confession:  I love Finlandia 
Confession:  I don't know the VC 

[Jubal Slate]

The VC stands out for me. Finlandia is fun, I think.

[Mirror Image]

En Saga
Tapiola
The Oceanides
King Christian II
Symphony No. 7

Confession:  I love Finlandia 
Confession:  I don't know the VC 

Great list, Joe. You don't know the Violin Concerto?!?!? Oh dear. Do you own a recording of this work?

[NJ Joe]

Of 7 it's Karajan BPO.
Lots of competition. Davis Boston is great, I like Segerstam's slow version on Brilliant. But Herbie is my top pick.

This is what made me a true believer:

[NJ Joe]

Great list, Joe. You don't know the Violin Concerto?!?!? Oh dear. Do you own a recording of this work?

No! Care to recommend something?

[Ken B]

This is what made me a true believer:

Yes, that's the one. Karajan in high gear. Great 7, great 6. 5 is great but a bit eccentric. There are better. 4 again great.

[Mirror Image]

No! Care to recommend something?

Oh wow...yes. This is a great recording IMHO:



Other favorites: Tetzlaff/Dausgaard, Mullova/Ozawa, Kavakos/Vanska, and Kuusisto/Segerstam