The Snowshoed Sibelius

[vandermolen]

If you're thinking about the Tempest consider a disk of the complete music to the play (not just the two suites). Some of the tiny pieces you get with the complete music are just music from a different dimension (and the familiar ones are put in a new context). (There are BIS and Ondine versions).

+1 although I'm not aware of an Ondine version. However, the Complete Karelia music on Ondine is one of my favourite Sibelius discs like the complete Tempest music on BIS.

[Roasted Swan]

No.2 - n/a, maybe Bernstein and the NYPD

Liverpool used to have an excellent Police Brass Band.  I had no idea that New York's finest went full orchestral..................!!

[aukhawk]

If I had to pick a favorite Sibelius recording, I'd probably go with Szell's 2nd (no surprise from me).  I'm pretty content with the above list recording-wise, which I've had for years, though I'm now sorely tempted to add one more and get Ormandy's incomplete set -- I'm a sucker for those old Columbia recordings with Ormandy, Szell, Bernstein, and Walter... Anyone familiar with that set?

I listened to the Ormandy Sibelius 7th (final recording) yesterday and thought it a very fine, top-tier 7th.  My only issue with this (and other Philadelphia recordings I have heard) is that the musicians themselves - so well and faithfully recorded - in the 1970s I believe - sound terribly old-skule in their playing styles - they sound as though, in their heads, they are still in the 1940s.  Which many of them probably were, and don't get me wrong, I understand that full well since, in my head, I'm still in the 1970s.

[Roasted Swan]

I listened to the Ormandy Sibelius 7th (final recording) yesterday and thought it a very fine, top-tier 7th.  My only issue with this (and other Philadelphia recordings I have heard) is that the musicians themselves - so well and faithfully recorded - in the 1970s I believe - sound terribly old-skule in their playing styles - they sound as though, in their heads, they are still in the 1940s.  Which many of them probably were, and don't get me wrong, I understand that full well since, in my head, I'm still in the 1970s.

Recurring - when does "old-skule" become HIP 1940's style?  So if we want an "authentic" recording of say Rach. 3rd Symphony/Symphonic Dances look no further than Philly!

Not sure what you mean and in any case why that should be a problem......

[aukhawk]

It's not a problem except in my own case I prefer a more modernist sound.  To be clear, not talking about recording quality here, which is just fine, but about the way the musicians play - vibrato mainly.  I agree, if you want an 'authentic' Rachmaninov, the Philadelphia sound is probably right on the money.  'Authentic' Sibelius too, I daresay.  But my go-to Symphonic Dances is that conducted by John Eliot Gardner - a whole different cup of tea.

[SymphonicAddict]

Can there be anything more sublime, truly majestic and spiritual than the 7th Symphony? Yesterday I played it with the stereo at high volume and the experience was simply cathartic. This is a work of the most ineffable beauty, it's overwhelming in its supreme greatness. I must confess some tears were brought to my eyes. An epic theme that appear on the trombones is like the meaning of majesty, of something so pure and high. What a most impressive work. Now I'll stick with this symphony as my favorite ever of this unique composer.

[vers la flamme]

Can there be anything more sublime, truly majestic and spiritual than the 7th Symphony? Yesterday I played it with the stereo at high volume and the experience was simply cathartic. This is a work of the most ineffable beauty, it's overwhelming in its supreme greatness. I must confess some tears were brought to my eyes. An epic theme that appear on the trombones is like the meaning of majesty, of something so pure and high. What a most impressive work. Now I'll stick with this symphony as my favorite ever of this unique composer.

Now that you've said this, I feel an obligation to revisit it. I have never fully connected with Sibelius' 7th. It, along with the 4th, remain enigmatic to me. As much as I enjoy Sibelius, I feel like there is something I am missing on some level. I would not call him one of my favorite composers, though I do enjoy much of his music.

What recording did you listen to?

[Moonfish]

Can there be anything more sublime, truly majestic and spiritual than the 7th Symphony? Yesterday I played it with the stereo at high volume and the experience was simply cathartic. This is a work of the most ineffable beauty, it's overwhelming in its supreme greatness. I must confess some tears were brought to my eyes. An epic theme that appear on the trombones is like the meaning of majesty, of something so pure and high. What a most impressive work. Now I'll stick with this symphony as my favorite ever of this unique composer.

+1 

But the 4th and 5th are powerful contenders, don't you think?

[Mirror Image]

Can there be anything more sublime, truly majestic and spiritual than the 7th Symphony? Yesterday I played it with the stereo at high volume and the experience was simply cathartic. This is a work of the most ineffable beauty, it's overwhelming in its supreme greatness. I must confess some tears were brought to my eyes. An epic theme that appear on the trombones is like the meaning of majesty, of something so pure and high. What a most impressive work. Now I'll stick with this symphony as my favorite ever of this unique composer.

The 7th is an incredible symphony no question about it and the fact that it was Sibelius' last still gives me a bit of sadness, especially considering how he lived for such a long life. But it was he who felt the need to stop composing and he was a composer who never liked to repeat himself, so it's an admirable thing to know when to stop and let the music you left behind do the speaking for you.

[vers la flamme]

Well, I'm listening now to the 7th symphony, Paavo Berglund and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Majestic and spiritual are indeed words that come to mind, but also enigmatic and perhaps even all-encompassing. Oddly enough, something is making me think there may be some kind of connection between this work and the 9th symphony of Gustav Mahler, but I don't know what it is yet, as on the surface, they couldn't be more different. Anyway, whenever I listen to Sibelius' 7th, it makes me want to listen to it again very soon, as I always feel like I am not catching everything that is happening. I think it is, along with the 4th, the most challenging and intricately layered of all his symphonies... and maybe, paradoxically, also the most direct.

[Mirror Image]

Well, I'm listening now to the 7th symphony, Paavo Berglund and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Majestic and spiritual are indeed words that come to mind, but also enigmatic and perhaps even all-encompassing. Oddly enough, something is making me think there may be some kind of connection between this work and the 9th symphony of Gustav Mahler, but I don't know what it is yet, as on the surface, they couldn't be more different. Anyway, whenever I listen to Sibelius' 7th, it makes me want to listen to it again very soon, as I always feel like I am not catching everything that is happening. I think it is, along with the 4th, the most challenging and intricately layered of all his symphonies... and maybe, paradoxically, also the most direct.

Some interesting observations and I hadn't thought about the parallels between Mahler's 9th and the Sibelius 7th. Perhaps what you're hearing in both symphonies is a sort of goodbye or the feeling of departure between two people (perhaps even two lovers with one who is waving on a boat while the other is on a pier)? Is this too corny? But I also get the feeling of not only that this may be the end of something that was incredible and life-changing, but also the inevitability that goes along with it --- that kind of built-up anxiety and then the release of that anxiety when you know that time has come. I don't know, but I'll probably need to increase the dosage of my medication after this.

[vers la flamme]

Some interesting observations and I hadn't thought about the parallels between Mahler's 9th and the Sibelius 7th. Perhaps what you're hearing in both symphonies is a sort of goodbye or the feeling of departure between two people (perhaps even two lovers with one who is waving on a boat while the other is on a pier)? Is this too corny? But I also get the feeling of not only that this may be the end of something that was incredible and life-changing, but also the inevitability that goes along with it --- that kind of built-up anxiety and then the release of that anxiety when you know that time has come. I don't know, but I'll probably need to increase the dosage of my medication after this.

That's a very elegant metaphor for the kind of feeling that one might get from either or both of these great symphonies. I don't know if it is necessarily about farewell or departure, but certainly inevitability, anxiety, and the passage of time might factor into it. It's kind of enigmatic and maybe deeper than that; I don't hear any one feeling being expressed but a whole world of sensation, and also something of the natural world that is beyond human feeling at all. And I think this is true for both symphonies but maybe especially the Sibelius. I'm new to Mahler's 9th, and like I said I'm not quite sure that I fully get Sibelius' 7th, so we can take my words with as many grains of salt as necessary.

[Mirror Image]

That's a very elegant metaphor for the kind of feeling that one might get from either or both of these great symphonies. I don't know if it is necessarily about farewell or departure, but certainly inevitability, anxiety, and the passage of time might factor into it. It's kind of enigmatic and maybe deeper than that; I don't hear any one feeling being expressed but a whole world of sensation, and also something of the natural world that is beyond human feeling at all. And I think this is true for both symphonies but maybe especially the Sibelius. I'm new to Mahler's 9th, and like I said I'm not quite sure that I fully get Sibelius' 7th, so we can take my words with as many grains of salt as necessary.

Well, thank you, I'm not sure eloquence would describe my previous post, but I know lack of medication certainly has something to do with it. All kidding aside, I think both symphonies from both composers are masterpieces and they certainly leave many questions unanswered, but I think this is what good music does, it begs us to ask questions and find a deeper meaning. I'm not sure what went through Sibelius' mind when he was composing his 7th, but I can tell you one thing, I'd love to be able to tap into just a spec of that creative process and the same goes for Mahler's 9th. I heard Colin Davis in an interview call Sibelius a 'nature mystic' or something along these lines --- he walks the dark forests and summons spirits. I can't quite remember his quote verbatim, but it was quite a clever description of his music. He does seem to be at one with nature and I've seen many photographs of the man himself strolling through the woods and even admiring the scenery, but these were later photos as ones of when he was in his compositional prime aren't in abundance. Anyway, I'm happy to know that Sibelius' music still has so much staying power and that it continues to move listeners like yourself.

[vers la flamme]

Anyway, I'm happy to know that Sibelius' music still has so much staying power and that it continues to move listeners like yourself.

And I'm grateful for it myself. I'm a young cat, new to classical music, and I think it would be an understatement to say that Sibelius' music has enriched my life greatly in the past year or so I've been listening. Enough there for a lifetime, I think, though interestingly I have known of a few people to actually lose interest in Sibelius over time.

[Mirror Image]

And I'm grateful for it myself. I'm a young cat, new to classical music, and I think it would be an understatement to say that Sibelius' music has enriched my life greatly in the past year or so I've been listening. Enough there for a lifetime, I think, though interestingly I have known of a few people to actually lose interest in Sibelius over time.

Very good to read. To the bolded text: you just opened up a can of worms there! It's interesting how people lose interest in a composer that they once loved so dearly. I believe that tastes do change as you mature as a listener. Of course, there are exceptions and we do listen to some of the same composers we've always listened to, but Sibelius used to be a composer I listened to a lot, but I haven't really explored his music in any kind of depth in years and this isn't to say I've lost interest in the composer, because I haven't, but there's just so much out there and our time is so limited. It seems, though, there have been a few composers that I have stuck with from the beginning, but there are also many of which I don't quite get into their music as much as I used to.

[aukhawk]

For most of my life Sibelius' 7th Symphony has been my no.1 favourite piece of orchestral music, by any composer, full stop. 
Even so, I have always mentally winced a bit at the final bludgeoning C major statement - as a lifelong pessimist I always find such bald affirmation quite hard to take - and to be honest I'm amazed that Sibelius, no stranger to depression, was able to write such stuff.  (See also, beautiful music written in or around wartime - by anyone from Haydn to Vaughan Williams - just incredible to me how that happens.)

I find that in old age my tastes have turned away from large-scale orchestral music in general, and symphonic music finales in particular, but Sibelius' 4th is still up there as an exception for me - especially the 1st and 3rd movements - otherwise I'm more likely to be listening to baroque or chamber music.

The 7th is an incredible symphony no question about it and the fact that it was Sibelius' last still gives me a bit of sadness, especially considering how he lived for such a long life. But it was he who felt the need to stop composing and he was a composer who never liked to repeat himself, so it's an admirable thing to know when to stop and let the music you left behind do the speaking for you.

Though he did invest a lot of time and effort into bringing his 8th to fruition - before eventually tossing it onto the bonfire in his garden.  So we'll never know.  See also, Charles Ives.

[vers la flamme]

For most of my life Sibelius' 7th Symphony has been my no.1 favourite piece of orchestral music, by any composer, full stop. 
Even so, I have always mentally winced a bit at the final bludgeoning C major statement - as a lifelong pessimist I always find such bald affirmation quite hard to take - and to be honest I'm amazed that Sibelius, no stranger to depression, was able to write such stuff.  (See also, beautiful music written in or around wartime - by anyone from Haydn to Vaughan Williams - just incredible to me how that happens.)

I find that in old age my tastes have turned away from large-scale orchestral music in general, and symphonic music finales in particular, but Sibelius' 4th is still up there as an exception for me - especially the 1st and 3rd movements - otherwise I'm more likely to be listening to baroque or chamber music.

Though he did invest a lot of time and effort into bringing his 8th to fruition - before eventually tossing it onto the bonfire in his garden.  So we'll never know.  See also, Charles Ives.

That's interesting, because I don't hear the end of the 7th symphony that way at all. It sounds like a huge ambiguity, ending on that huge appoggiatura, though I understand some conductors emphasize the resolution more than the tension.

[Elgarian Redux]

Can there be anything more sublime, truly majestic and spiritual than the 7th Symphony? Yesterday I played it with the stereo at high volume and the experience was simply cathartic. This is a work of the most ineffable beauty, it's overwhelming in its supreme greatness. I must confess some tears were brought to my eyes. An epic theme that appear on the trombones is like the meaning of majesty, of something so pure and high. What a most impressive work. Now I'll stick with this symphony as my favorite ever of this unique composer.

This reminds me of an intense (and intensely valuable) discussion with Brian (and others) some years ago, earlier in this thread. I had been baffled by the 7th symphony ever since I first listened to it in my teens in the 1960s, and Brian wrote down a structure which I found very helpful. I've been trying to find that list of his, and at last I found it, here:

https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,341.msg451974.html#msg451974

In hindsight, I think the long term effect of all that discussion has been not quite what I hoped. I think I enjoyed the discussion (and reading - and applying - Brian's insightful comments) more than the symphony, and indeed I don't think I've listened to it again during the 9 years that have passed since we discussed it. But it was the most fascinating discussion I ever had on GMG.

[aukhawk]

Interesting, and bookmarked.

[vers la flamme]

Interesting, and bookmarked.

Ditto.