The Snowshoed Sibelius

[Dancing Divertimentian]

That's a great one, Don, and the 5th is splendid, too -- a bit more full-bodied than Berglund's later ones and gives Bernstein's NYPO 5th a run for the roses!

Definitely, Dave. Any thoughts on Berglund's Bournemouth cycle as a whole? I'm really enjoying uniqueness of the interpretations: rugged, woodsy, yet with no lack of sophistication.

[DavidRoss]

Definitely, Dave. Any thoughts on Berglund's Bournemouth cycle as a whole? I'm really enjoying uniqueness of the interpretations: rugged, woodsy, yet with no lack of sophistication.

The Bournemouth 5th is typical of the set--a bigger, more romanticized approach to the symphonies than Berglund took in later years. Not as "hot" as Maazel/WP, nor as lush as Segerstam. More like Bernstein/NYPO ... or Rattle/CBSO. If I had to pick one of those three, it would be Lenny, for sure, but the Bournemouth set is nevertheless quite good, though not as distinctive as Berglund's last outing with the ECO. That, too, has been inexplicably OOP since shortly after it was issued on Finlandia (label madness, perhaps, with Warner focused on Teldec & Erato reissues?).

Hmmm. Just thinking about these cycles kindles my interest in breaking out the Sibelius sets again!

[Sergeant Rock]

The Bournemouth 5th is typical of the set--a bigger, more romanticized approach to the symphonies than Berglund took in later years. Not as "hot" as Maazel/WP, nor as lush as Segerstam. More like Bernstein/NYPO ... or Rattle/CBSO.

Agree. And when I see it put this way, I'm not surprised my three favorite Fifths are Bernstein/NY, Berglund/Bournemouth and Rattle (although I lean more towards the Philharmonia performance).

Sarge

[Lisztianwagner]

The symphonies are definitely outstanding music, I really love them, especially No.2, 4, 5 and 7.

Sibelius' music is extremely beautiful; so evocative, poetical and powerfully emotional, with a very original harmonic language, more restrained compared to that one of his contemporaries, but equally intense and expressive. It also has a superb orchestration (Sibelius was really a master of that, in my opinion) and absolutely brilliant melodic structures which evolve themselves during the piece, often bursting out and fading awayin the flow of music. This is particularly clear in the symphonies, which are certainly masterpieces, but they aren't the only remarkable works Sibelius composed: Karelia Suite, Finlandia, The Swan of Tuonela, Valse Triste, Tapiola, Kullervo and the Violin Concerto in D minor are all gorgeous, impressive compostions; the beauty and the genius of Sibelius' creative power are showed there as well.

[jlaurson]

but the Bournemouth set is nevertheless quite good, though not as distinctive as Berglund's last outing with the ECO. That, too, has been inexplicably OOP since shortly after it was issued on Finlandia (label madness, perhaps, with Warner focused on Teldec & Erato reissues?).

The latter is some weird Finlandia-Warner distribution issue -- because in Germany the set is still available (i.e. Amazon, but also stores, ditto UK, but in the US only through third parties that import). Got it after Berglund passed away and fell in love at once... inadequately described, it combines the intensity of Segerstam II with the leanness of Vanska.

[DavidRoss]

Got it after Berglund passed away and fell in love at once... inadequately described, it combines the intensity of Segerstam II with the leanness of Vanska.

A reasonable description, inadequate though it may be. It's very concentrated--Berglund had probably thought and felt more deeply about Sibelius than any other conductor and this final cycle is the result of some 60 years of experience. I'm not surprised that you, too, appreciate its virtues. The 4th in this set may be my favorite recording of that symphony (out of the 20+ versions in my collection), and the others are all quite fine as well, standing not only with Berglund's earlier efforts, but holding their own with any other cycle in the discography and a darned sight better than most!

[North Star]

The symphonies are definitely outstanding music, I really love them, especially No.2, 4, 5 and 7.

Sibelius' music is extremely beautiful; so evocative, poetical and powerfully emotional, with a very original harmonic language, more restrained compared to that one of his contemporaries, but equally intense and expressive. It also has a superb orchestration (Sibelius was really a master of that, in my opinion) and absolutely brilliant melodic structures which evolve themselves during the piece, often bursting out and fading awayin the flow of music. This is particularly clear in the symphonies, which are certainly masterpieces, but they aren't the only remarkable works Sibelius composed: Karelia Suite, Finlandia, The Swan of Tuonela, Valse Triste, Tapiola, Kullervo and the Violin Concerto in D minor are all gorgeous, impressive compostions; the beauty and the genius of Sibelius' creative power are showed there as well.

Well said, Ilaria, especially the 'bursting out and fading away' bit.
I'd add En saga, Lemminkäinen suite and Luonnotar to the list, and maybe Pohjola's daughter (don't remember this one too well).
I love Sibelius's use of the winds, and the string and percussion writing are gorgeous, too.

[Lisztianwagner]

Well said, Ilaria, especially the 'bursting out and fading away' bit.
I'd add En saga, Lemminkäinen suite and Luonnotar to the list, and maybe Pohjola's daughter (don't remember this one too well).
I love Sibelius's use of the winds, and the string and percussion writing are gorgeous, too.

So do I, absolutely; also Sibelius' brass chords are marvelous.
Oh, yes, how could I forget them....I adore En Saga and Luonnotar, Ashkenazy made a wonderful recording of both those tone poems; I really appreciate Lemminkäinen too. Instead I haven't listened to Pohjola's daughter yet.

[xochitl]

i just had to say that nigel kennedy's version of the violin concerto just moved me like few things in music

[eyeresist]

I don't know Tapiola very well, and usually default to the late Karajan EMI recording. But the other night I pulled out the disc from EMI's big Berglund box and found something definitely better: while Berglund has a grandness comparable to K, this interpretation is more focused and driven, and the sound is more atmospheric and has more texture. My new default recording.

[Lisztianwagner]

I don't know Tapiola very well, and usually default to the late Karajan EMI recording. But the other night I pulled out the disc from EMI's big Berglund box and found something definitely better: while Berglund has a grandness comparable to K, this interpretation is more focused and driven, and the sound is more atmospheric and has more texture. My new default recording.

Really? I haven't heard Berglund's recording yet, but I would like to have a listen to it; I've got only Karajan and Ashkenazy for Tapiola.

[North Star]

The Berglund & Helsinki Tapiola is certainly a great, and atmospheric, recording.

[jlaurson]

The proof of a great Tapiola likes in the (eating of the) pudding!

Berglund Bournemouth I get, but Berglund Helsinki I don't. Too bad there isn't one with the European Chamber Orchestra, because that, too, is a leaner approach to Sibelius by Berglund, and there I totally get it, as far as the symphonies are concerned. Then there is the Berglund Finnish RSO Tapiola, but I don't know it.

I also like Saraste / Finnish RSO (RCA), and Rosbaud / Berlin -- but that could be an emotional attachment that hasn't been checked against the reality of the performance in a long time.

By the way: The Saraste Finlandia and RCA cycles with the Finnish RSO -- they are identical?

J. Sibelius Tapiola Berglund / Helsinki EMI German link - UK link	J. Sibelius Tapiola Berglund / Bournemouth EMI German link - UK link
J. Sibelius Tapiola Saraste / Finnish RSO RCA German link	J. Sibelius Tapiola Rosbaud / Berlin Phil. DG German link - UK link

[Karl Henning]

Berglund rocks Tapiola.

[Karl Henning]

Hmm, I suppose I must fetch in that Bournemouth two-fer.

[Karl Henning]

That rec, Jens, makes me realize: gaaah, it's a decade and more since last I listened to Kullervo . . . .

[Dancing Divertimentian]

The proof of a great Tapiola likes in the (eating of the) pudding!

I also like....Rosbaud / Berlin -- but that could be an emotional attachment that hasn't been checked against the reality of the performance in a long time.



J. Sibelius
Tapiola
Rosbaud / Berlin Phil.
DG

German link -

I have that Tapiola in the DG Rosbaud box and it's no illusion. First-rate Sibelius.

[Brian]

Surprise! A new recording of Paavo Berglund doing Sibelius 5 and 6 has turned up. These are live London Philharmonic performances from 2003, now on the LPO's own label.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Believe only me  I've listened to 10000s of Tapiolas - and to sum it up:

BLOMSTEDT/SFSO ROCK TAPIOLA. PERIOD. The best Tapiola the world has ever heard and will ever hear. PERIOD.

[asin]B000FOQ1EA[/asin]

Well, I have to mention: another Tapiola is maybe en par (older recording, but very good quality):

[asin]B00004TTX3[/asin]

[North Star]

Thanks. That Blomstedt set looks very nice, and, IIRC, has received praise here before.  (and, for the record, I somehow thought that you were sarcastic about Tapiola in the pm a while ago)