The Snowshoed Sibelius

[Symphonic Addict]

Pretty sure it is.... but never heard it and don't remember reading any opinions about it either.  There is such a glut of Kullervo's now, I had to draw the line somewhere and I think that was it.  If it ever turns up in JPC's bargain bin for €2.99 I'll probably buy it!

Yes, I have that CD ( )
I seem to recall reading some fairly indifferent reviews but I enjoyed the performance Cesar.

Review:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/jan07/Sibelius_Kullervo_7771962.htm

Like Roasted Swan, I never got around to this one. Considering how many great ones there are, it seemed to be the bottom of my list. I don't even believe I own it (now that I'm thinking about it).

Thanks for your responses, gents. I'll find out whether it's worth listening.

[Roasted Swan]

I was listening to the Oceanides earlier.  Probably one of the Sibelius tone poems I listen to least but it really made an impression on me today.  The opus number of 73 places it between the 4th & 5th Symphony and certainly it has a lot of the barren bleakness of the former.  I was struck by what a powerful and individual work it is.  I wonder why it has not made such an impact before......... (it was the Jarvi/Gothenburg performance I listened to)

[Mirror Image]

I was listening to the Oceanides earlier.  Probably one of the Sibelius tone poems I listen to least but it really made an impression on me today.  The opus number of 73 places it between the 4th & 5th Symphony and certainly it has a lot of the barren bleakness of the former.  I was struck by what a powerful and individual work it is.  I wonder why it has not made such an impact before......... (it was the Jarvi/Gothenburg performance I listened to)

I had the same experience but only with Night Ride & Sunrise. Sometimes I think we're just not attuned to the music and it takes awhile for it to "ferment" for lack of a better word in our minds. Now, Night Ride & Sunrise is one of my favorite Sibelius works. But, I do share your praise of The Oceanides --- it's a marvelously atmospheric work. You should definitely give a listen the Segerstam/Helsinki PO performance on Ondine, especially now that this work has finally clicked for you. This would be my favorite performance of the work, although there are several other extremely fine ones like Berglund/Bournemouth (EMI) and Gibson/Scottish NO (Chandos).

[vandermolen]

I had the same experience but only with Night Ride & Sunrise. Sometimes I think we're just not attuned to the music and it takes awhile for it to "ferment" for lack of a better word in our minds. Now, Night Ride & Sunrise is one of my favorite Sibelius works. But, I do share your praise of The Oceanides --- it's a marvelously atmospheric work. You should definitely give a listen the Segerstam/Helsinki PO performance on Ondine, especially now that this work has finally clicked for you. This would be my favorite performance of the work, although there are several other extremely fine ones like Berglund/Bournemouth (EMI) and Gibson/Scottish NO (Chandos).

Nice to hear some praise for the underrated Gibson recordings John, I like the Oceanides very much. Didn't Sibelius ask Beecham to record the work?

[Symphonic Addict]

The Oceanides didn't appeal to me at first, and I'm liking it better with each listen. A tone poem that doesn't resonate with me very much is Pohjola's Daughter (it has nothing to do with the member here  ). Without the epic motif in the trombones and some other gestures, the work doesn't stick in my head.

[Sergeant Rock]

The Oceanides didn't appeal to me at first, and I'm liking it better with each listen. A tone poem that doesn't resonate with me very much is Pohjola's Daughter (it has nothing to do with the member here  ). Without the epic motif in the trombones and some other gestures, the work doesn't stick in my head.

Now that you've been brave enough to admit your negative feelings about Pohjola's Daughter, I'll follow your lead and confess it's done nothing for me. It's one of the very few Sibelius works I dislike. Favorite tone poems include En saga, The Wood Nymph, The Bard, Luonnotar, Tapiola, and the old warhorse Finlandia.

Sarge

[relm1]

The Oceanides didn't appeal to me at first, and I'm liking it better with each listen. A tone poem that doesn't resonate with me very much is Pohjola's Daughter (it has nothing to do with the member here  ). Without the epic motif in the trombones and some other gestures, the work doesn't stick in my head.

I've always liked Pohjola's Daughter but part of it is just the Sibelien sound world.  From the first bar, this sounds like no other composer but him.

[Mirror Image]

Nice to hear some praise for the underrated Gibson recordings John, I like the Oceanides very much. Didn't Sibelius ask Beecham to record the work?

Yeah, I always thought Gibson was a masterful Sibelian. I'm not sure about Sibelius and Beecham, but that does sound probable.

[vandermolen]

Interesting comments. My favourites are Luonnotar (Dorati recording), Tapiola (Berglund, Philharmonia, Kajanus, Rosbaud, Segerstam Chandos/Ondine, Gibson), Oceanides, Beecham, The Bard, Berglund, En Saga (Sarasate) I like the others as well but those ones are my favourites.

[Roasted Swan]

I must admit I quite enjoy seeking out unexpected conductors performers of any repertoire.  To a degree as listeners we all get manipulated into hearing certain performers as 'specialists' in certain repertoire.  Often this is because those artists ARE indeed specialists but often its just because its convenient for the recording companies to label and market them as such - Chandos are past masters of this.

So all the neames recently mentioned apropos Sibelius are very good and well-worth a hearing (I'd certainly include Gibson on any list) but what about Boult and Jochum as alternatives for starters?!  Not that they recorded vast swathes of Sibelius in their long careers but what they did is actually rather impressive to my ear.  Both did an Oceanides - Jochum on DG with the Bavarian RSO I remember and Boult on an old World Records LP with the LPO which has turned up in the bargain download "Little Big Sibelius Box"

[vandermolen]

I must admit I quite enjoy seeking out unexpected conductors performers of any repertoire.  To a degree as listeners we all get manipulated into hearing certain performers as 'specialists' in certain repertoire.  Often this is because those artists ARE indeed specialists but often its just because its convenient for the recording companies to label and market them as such - Chandos are past masters of this.

So all the neames recently mentioned apropos Sibelius are very good and well-worth a hearing (I'd certainly include Gibson on any list) but what about Boult and Jochum as alternatives for starters?!  Not that they recorded vast swathes of Sibelius in their long careers but what they did is actually rather impressive to my ear.  Both did an Oceanides - Jochum on DG with the Bavarian RSO I remember and Boult on an old World Records LP with the LPO which has turned up in the bargain download "Little Big Sibelius Box"

Yes, I like Boult's Sibelius as well and, unlike Barbirolli, he recorded Tapiola.

[Mirror Image]

I must admit I quite enjoy seeking out unexpected conductors performers of any repertoire.  To a degree as listeners we all get manipulated into hearing certain performers as 'specialists' in certain repertoire.  Often this is because those artists ARE indeed specialists but often its just because its convenient for the recording companies to label and market them as such - Chandos are past masters of this.

So all the neames recently mentioned apropos Sibelius are very good and well-worth a hearing (I'd certainly include Gibson on any list) but what about Boult and Jochum as alternatives for starters?!  Not that they recorded vast swathes of Sibelius in their long careers but what they did is actually rather impressive to my ear.  Both did an Oceanides - Jochum on DG with the Bavarian RSO I remember and Boult on an old World Records LP with the LPO which has turned up in the bargain download "Little Big Sibelius Box"

A conductor that comes to mind here that wasn't a noted Sibelian is Dorati. You MUST check out this recording (coupled with an especially fine Nielsen 5th with Kubelik at the helm):

[vandermolen]

A conductor that comes to mind here that wasn't a noted Sibelian is Dorati. You MUST check out this recording (coupled with an especially fine Nielsen 5th with Kubelik at the helm):

That's a terrific CD John. That is my favourite recording of Luonnotar and the Nielsen 5th Symphony is the icing on the cake

[Mirror Image]

That's a terrific CD John. That is my favourite recording of Luonnotar and the Nielsen 5th Symphony is the icing on the cake

A fantastic recording for sure, Jeffrey. I wish Dorati conducted more Sibelius. I think he did record the 2nd symphony on Mercury Living Presence, but I haven't heard that performance --- I should, though, as I own the three Mercury box sets and haven't heard a note from any of them.

[Irons]

I must admit I quite enjoy seeking out unexpected conductors performers of any repertoire.  To a degree as listeners we all get manipulated into hearing certain performers as 'specialists' in certain repertoire.  Often this is because those artists ARE indeed specialists but often its just because its convenient for the recording companies to label and market them as such - Chandos are past masters of this.

So all the neames recently mentioned apropos Sibelius are very good and well-worth a hearing (I'd certainly include Gibson on any list) but what about Boult and Jochum as alternatives for starters?!  Not that they recorded vast swathes of Sibelius in their long careers but what they did is actually rather impressive to my ear.  Both did an Oceanides - Jochum on DG with the Bavarian RSO I remember and Boult on an old World Records LP with the LPO which has turned up in the bargain download "Little Big Sibelius Box"

I think the first incarnation of Boult's recording was on Nixa under license from Vanguard. You are right we are all guilty of putting conductors in a box and when they stray it comes as a bit of a shock - how very much dare they! An example on my shelves is also Sibelius and in fact Schmidt - Isserstedt turns out to be rather good.

[Irons]

A fantastic recording for sure, Jeffrey. I wish Dorati conducted more Sibelius. I think he did record the 2nd symphony on Mercury Living Presence, but I haven't heard that performance --- I should, though, as I own the three Mercury box sets and haven't heard a note from any of them.

I think you may be thinking of Paul Paray who recorded the 2nd Symphony for Mercury.

[Mirror Image]

I think you may be thinking of Paul Paray who recorded the 2nd Symphony for Mercury.

Ah yes, thanks for the correction. The recording in question:

[VonStupp]

I wish Dorati conducted more Sibelius.

It might not be Mercury, but I am pretty sure I still have this one with Dorati leading Sibelius 2, somewhere back in the archives.

[Mirror Image]

It might not be Mercury, but I am pretty sure I still have this one with Dorati leading Sibelius 2, somewhere back in the archives.

Nice! Good to know I technically wasn't too far off from being correct.

[Irons]

Ah yes, thanks for the correction. The recording in question:

A pleasure. The Paray 2nd Symphony is very quick, rushed even.