The Snowshoed Sibelius

[Parsifal]

My main question is, "what possessed Vanska to go to Minneapolis?"  The Beethoven cycle he did there is a cure for insomnia.  The latest news I've read is that the lockout or the orchestra continues, an entire season has been canceled, including recording sessions, and Vanska has announced he will resign unless it is resolved immediately.

[jlaurson]

My main question is, "what possessed Vanska to go to Minneapolis?"  The Beethoven cycle he did there is a cure for insomnia.  The latest news I've read is that the lockout or the orchestra continues, an entire season has been canceled, including recording sessions, and Vanska has announced he will resign unless it is resolved immediately.

Recording sessions have been postponed and Vanska said he'll resign if they can't keep (or are uninvited from) the scheduled Carnegie Hall appearances and subsequent recording sessions.

Sad clusterf#@* that is taking down (I disagree, obviously, with your assessment of the Beethoven) an orchestra from having worked its way to the American Top 5 and may ensure its provincial status for the next 40 years (and who knows what happens to orchestras in minor markets after that!)

[Parsifal]

Recording sessions have been postponed and Vanska said he'll resign if they can't keep (or are uninvited from) the scheduled Carnegie Hall appearances and subsequent recording sessions.

Sad clusterf#@* that is taking down (I disagree, obviously, with your assessment of the Beethoven) an orchestra from having worked its way to the American Top 5 and may ensure its provincial status for the next 40 years (and who knows what happens to orchestras in minor markets after that!)

His Beethoven is just as good as most other Beethoven cycles out there.  But why record Beethoven again unless there is a really compelling reason.  (For some reason, my CD collection obsession does not seem to extend to Beethoven.  Karajan '63, Imerseel, Barenboim, Schuricht.  Katsaris, Why do I need another?)

[jlaurson]

His Beethoven is just as good as most other Beethoven cycles out there.  But why record Beethoven again unless there is a really compelling reason.  (For some reason, my CD collection obsession does not seem to extend to Beethoven.  Karajan '63, Imerseel, Barenboim, Schuricht.  Katsaris, Why do I need another?)

That's not a question anyone can answer for you. If that's the way you feel, which is more than reasonable (most people would stop at 1 cycle; albeit not in GMG territory -- and I think they're a wonderful fouresome (fivesome) that covers a great breadth of interpretative styles), then you don't need another... and other people's perceived needs wouldn't change that.

The more general answer is that every generation needs "it's" Beethoven, which is why we keep interpreting and keep performing and keep recording and keep listening. But of course anything of our generation will have to face the best of the past... and perhaps that "need" isn't a fix, definable thing, anyway.

I just happen to have come across Vanska (spearheaded by his Fourth) and had similar questions beforehand... and then had these questions all answered by a Fourth like I thought I had never quite heard before. Much like not long after it happened with Jaervi's Third.

[DavidRoss]

His Beethoven is just as good as most other Beethoven cycles out there.  But why record Beethoven again unless there is a really compelling reason.  (For some reason, my CD collection obsession does not seem to extend to Beethoven.  Karajan '63, Imerseel, Barenboim, Schuricht.  Katsaris, Why do I need another?)

I could probably be happy with Blomstedt's SFS Sibelius cycle alone. Along with Bernstein's NYPO one.  And Berglund's COE cycle. Maybe together with his Bournemouth cycle or Segerstam's HPO one as well.

Oh ... wait:  we're discussing Beethoven. Well, in that case, I wouldn't want to be without Brüggen's first cycle, or Abbado's last one, but those two would suffice to make the other dozen I've acquired superfluous. (Yet I like hearing them from time to time.)

[Parsifal]

I could probably be happy with Blomstedt's SFS Sibelius cycle alone. Along with Bernstein's NYPO one.  And Berglund's COE cycle. Maybe together with his Bournemouth cycle or Segerstam's HPO one as well.

Oh ... wait:  we're discussing Beethoven. Well, in that case, I wouldn't want to be without Brüggen's first cycle, or Abbado's last one, but those two would suffice to make the other dozen I've acquired superfluous. (Yet I like hearing them from time to time.)

I wouldn't want to be without Brüggen's first cycle, but I am.  I'm hoping that when he turns 80 next year they will release some portion of his vast out-of-print catalog.   And, ooop, I forgot, I have Harnoncourt's Beethoven too.

[Brahmsian]

Went on a Sibelius 6th binge in June.  Listen to it 6 times.

That's 6-6-6! 

Recording:  Maazel/VPO

[Karl Henning]

Go, Ray! Happy Canada Day! 

[Brahmsian]

Go, Ray! Happy Canada Day! 

Thank you Karl!   

[Parsifal]

Go, Ray! Happy Canada Day! 

A grim reminder that if not for our glorious revolution celebrated on the 4th of July, we in the US would still be suffering under grinding tyranny and oppression, such as our neighbors in Canada continue to suffer to this day. 

[Johnll]

A grim reminder that if not for our glorious revolution celebrated on the 4th of July, we in the US would still be suffering under grinding tyranny and oppression, such as our neighbors in Canada continue to suffer to this day. 

I have on occasion visited Canada but I am not aware of grinding tyranny and oppression either from my personal experience or the news. Would you care to elaborate?

[jlaurson]

I have on occasion visited Canada but I am not aware of grinding tyranny and oppression either from my personal experience or the news. Would you care to elaborate?

Just look at the Canadian 20$ bill! Grinding tyranny and oppression gleams right at you!

[Parsifal]

I have on occasion visited Canada but I am not aware of grinding tyranny and oppression either from my personal experience or the news. Would you care to elaborate?

This is what is sometimes called a "joke."   Around July 4, we will be inundated with unceasing testimonials to the founding fathers and how they fought against insufferable tyrany.  Well, our neighbors to the north did not rebel, and at this point they seem to enjoy more wealth and prosperity and have a government that better serves their needs and respects their rights.  Perhaps we's have been better off it the Lobster-backs had successfully put down John Adams' little rebellion.

But, then again, I'm getting off topic.

Went on a Sibelius 6th binge in June.  Listen to it 6 times.

That's 6-6-6! 

Recording:  Maazel/VPO

You could do far worse, but I prefer Maazel/Pittsburgh.

[Johnll]

This is what is sometimes called a "joke."   Around July 4, we will be inundated with unceasing testimonials to the founding fathers and how they fought against insufferable tyrany.  Well, our neighbors to the north did not rebel, and at this point they seem to enjoy more wealth and prosperity and have a government that better serves their needs and respects their rights.  Perhaps we's have been better off it the Lobster-backs had successfully put down John Adams' little rebellion.

But, then again, I'm getting off topic.


You could do far worse, but I prefer Maazel/Pittsburgh.

I get the joke now. The Canadians, I think, deposed the King and House of Lords a some decades ago but they may or not be better for it.

[Mirror Image]

Once Europe collapses, the US and Canada will be third-world countries. Nobody gives a damn about either one of these countries now. Sorry my fellow Americans and my Canadian neighbors, but it's true. F****** European Union. Yeah, what a good idea that was....NOT!

In another scenario: it also doesn't help that the Chinese are buying up the US real estate market and once they've wiped us out from the inside out, they'll move onto Canada, Mexico, and South America.

[vandermolen]

I am off to visit friends in Finland at the end of this month and hope to visit the home of Sibelius - I will report back.

[Karl Henning]

I don't think I've ever done a back-to-back comparison of Maazel's Vienna & Pittsburgh takes of the marvelous Op.104.

I'm in!

[North Star]

I am off to visit friends in Finland at the end of this month and hope to visit the home of Sibelius - I will report back.

Nice! I should visit Ainola some day, too. Are you going to stay near Järvenpää the whole time, or are you planning to also visit Madetoja's home town?

[Brahmsian]

I don't think I've ever done a back-to-back comparison of Maazel's Vienna & Pittsburgh takes of the marvelous Op.104.

I'm in!

I have not heard Maazel's Pittsburgh Sibelius.  Many people seem to enjoy it as much, or more than the Maazel/VPO.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Ashkenazy's contributions to the Christopher Nupen Sibelius biography, btw., are also outstanding.
Cried several times during those two films, I'm not ashamed to admit.

Hmm I've got those DVDs, need to watch again.

Just realized, the german language documentary "Sibelius - Musikgigant aus dem Norden" finally is available online I loved it but forgot to record it... Now it's on YT..:
It has a lot of information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BumnUw0ydws

Now, time for some fine music. The best of the bestest music of the bestestest interpreters. Tonight: Wood Nymph with Vänskä and Tapiola with Blomstedt.




Bought Vänskä/Minnessota Sym 1, 4 from 2013, but only listened to the 4th yet. Well it seems like I will stay with Segerstam.