Top 5 Favorite Sibelius Works

[Jubal Slate]

I like this one but have not heard as many as other people here.
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[NJ Joe]

Thanks guys, I'll let you know when I get it.

[Mirror Image]

Thanks guys, I'll let you know when I get it.

Sounds good, Joe.

[Karl Henning]

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

You're right, it is fun, and ain't no crime! 

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Okay, here goes:

Pohjola's daughter
Symphony no. 6
Voces Intimae
Violin concerto
Luonnotar, Snöfrid, The origin of fire or The maiden in tower. Can't choose. Who said Sibelius can't write well for human voice?

[vandermolen]

Okay, here goes:

Pohjola's daughter
Symphony no. 6
Voces Intimae
Violin concerto
Luonnotar, Snöfrid, The origin of fire or The maiden in tower. Can't choose. Who said Sibelius can't write well for human voice?

Great list - there is a lot of Sibelius at the Proms in London this summer.

[vandermolen]

This is what made me a true believer:

That is a wonderful set and I love the cover image too.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Great list - there is a lot of Sibelius at the Proms in London this summer.

'

Thank you, yours was a great also. I love all the works you mentioned but unfortunately I had to narrow it down to 5. I may change my mind later about my top5. Tapiola is really impressive in the way Sibelius can do so much with so scarce material!

[vandermolen]

'

Thank you, yours was a great also. I love all the works you mentioned but unfortunately I had to narrow it down to 5. I may change my mind later about my top5. Tapiola is really impressive in the way Sibelius can do so much with so scarce material!

Yes it is a wonderful score - deeply moving but completely devoid of sentimentality. Sibelius is the one composer whose music I can listen to regardless of what mood I am in. Something to do with its connection with the elemental power of nature I think.

[mszczuj]

Your choice of Symphony No. 1 is a curious one. Don't like the mature symphonies too much?

Yes, I find him not as succesful in these works where he try to be more modern as he was when he was deep inside the romantic tradition.

But may be I'm not lost for ever yet? I have heard Vanska interpratation of symphonies last year and find some national touch in phrasing in them that made me most interested in nos 3-7. Must return to them. Alas it is only one of hundreds musts.

[Mirror Image]

The Tempest

Pounds the table! I listened to the complete version of The Tempest several nights ago and enjoyed it immensely. Will definitely plan a revisit soon. The Vanska performance is impeccable.

[Karl Henning]

Pounds the table! I listened to the complete version of The Tempest several nights ago and enjoyed it immensely. Will definitely plan a revisit soon. The Vanska performance is impeccable.

It's a great composer at the very top of his game.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Tempest really makes me think that Sibelius could have stood equal to Verdi in writing shakespearean operas. Of course, Jean's Tempest doesn't contain singing but on the other hand there's several compositions where he shows that he was no rookie with this "instrument".

[Mirror Image]

Of course, Jean's Tempest doesn't contain singing but on the other hand there's several compositions where he shows that he was no rookie with this "instrument".

Ummm...The Tempest, Op. 109 most certainly does contain singing. Have you heard the work in it's complete form, Alberich? You're in for quite a surprise.

[Daverz]

Only 5?  How cruel!

Symphonies No. 5 & 6
4 Legends
Night Ride and Sunset
Violin Concerto

Runners up: Symphonies 1, 2 & 4; Pelleas and Melisande

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Ummm...The Tempest, Op. 109 most certainly does contain singing. Have you heard the work in it's complete form, Alberich? You're in for quite a surprise.

I guess I've collided head first into so called Peer Gynt-problem. For a long time I thought Grieg's music of it existed only as an orchestral suite. And that's a shame because several beautiful moments were omitted from suite.

[Mirror Image]

Only 5?  How cruel!

Symphonies No. 5 & 6
4 Legends
Night Ride and Sunset Sunrise
Violin Concerto

Runners up: Symphonies 1, 2 & 4; Pelleas and Melisande

Corrected for you.

[Mirror Image]

I guess I've collided head first into so called Peer Gynt-problem. For a long time I thought Grieg's music of it existed only as an orchestral suite. And that's a shame because several beautiful moments were omitted from suite.

You should really listen to The Tempest in it's complete form ASAP. Vanska is your man here as he, along with Saraste, are the only ones who have recorded this work.

[springrite]

Only 5?  How cruel!


4 Legends

They count as FOUR. 

[Mirror Image]

I guess it's time to update my list, especially since my favorites from Sibelius seem to be in constant evolution. Right now, my favorites (in no particular order):

Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63
The Tempest, Op. 109
The Origin Of Fire, Op. 32 (Original Version)
Tapiola, Op. 112
Violin Concerto, Op. 47