The Snowshoed Sibelius

[Moonfish]

Following a Sibelius trajectory..

Sibelius: The Wood Nymph     Lahti SO/Vänskä
Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Suite    Lahti SO/Vänskä

From
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I really enjoy "The Wood-Nymph" and find it surprising that it is not more prevalent in the repertoire when it comes to Sibelius.  I very much enjoy dipping into the BIS set as it provides such a different spectrum of Sibelius' compositions. The Sibelius discography seems so extremely focused on the symphonies and at times some of the more well-known tone poems.  I know that BIS has released single issues of Sibelius covering all (?) of his compositions, but they are a tad expensive at this point.  Could anybody here suggest larger compilations (like the BIS set above or the Membran set in the previous post) that provides access to additional versions of some of his more peripheral works?

[Jaakko Keskinen]

I have to confess I have never heard Wood-nymph. Lemminkäinen suite on the other hand is along with Pohjola's daughter my favorite Sibelius tone poem (or tone poems).

[North Star]

I have to confess I have never heard Wood-nymph. Lemminkäinen suite on the other hand is along with Pohjola's daughter my favorite Sibelius tone poem (or tone poems).

Definitely a video Sarge should watch, too 
https://www.youtube.com/v/M7tLqZXFMNo

[Karl Henning]

I have been listening to this set for a while. It has some pretty interesting historical recordings. Well worth investigating if one likes to wander in the Sibelius soundscape!

review at: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/June11/Sibelius_233314.htm

[asin] B004VRO7ES[/asin]

I'm crying that the Sixth Symphony is lacking!

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

from: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/london-town-sibelius-lovers-frozen-dream.html

THANK YOU, Jlaurson, albeit belatedly.  I feel much better now, even a bit cock-of-the-walky to realize my very own patented Sibelius Infundibulator was working correctly, even though sputtering with self-doubt.

[vandermolen]

Greatly enjoying this set:
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[Moonfish]

Greatly enjoying this set:
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I have not heard much of Boult performing Sibelius. How do these recordings of the tone poems (mono I presume) compare with others that you own (or have listened to). Thanks for bringing Boult forward Vandermolen! 
I wonder if a few of these tone poems (in vol 1 & 2) are the ones found on CD 10 in the Brilliant set above..?


Peter

[vandermolen]

I am have not heard much of Boult performing Sibelius. How do these recordings of the tone poems (mono I presume) compare with others that you own (or have listened to). Thanks for bringing Boult forward Vandermolen! 
I wonder if a few of these tone poems (in vol 1 & 2) are the ones found on CD 10 in the Brilliant set above..?


Peter

Prob the same in view of the 1950s recording dates. The CD above features a letter from Sibelius saying that Boult's recordings are 'very good indeed' and on the box feature two review extracts: 'Sir Adrian Boult conducts as though he loves every note' (New York Times) and 'The playing is noble and exciting, the sound big and bright' (The Washington Post) and I would agree with these, although this is now obviously a historical recording. Boult's performances demonstrate a great integrity of approach, no exaggerated distortions and are all the more moving (as in 'Tapiola') for being slightly understated, as in the storm sequence towards the end of Tapiola. I also very much like the Volume 2 programme of works, notwithstanding the ubiquitous 'Finlandia'. Boult's recordings of the 1950s including his Vaughan Williams cycle and 'Job', Bax's 'Tintagel' and Walton's First Symphony are my favourite versions of these works.

[vandermolen]

I have not heard much of Boult performing Sibelius. How do these recordings of the tone poems (mono I presume) compare with others that you own (or have listened to). Thanks for bringing Boult forward Vandermolen! 
I wonder if a few of these tone poems (in vol 1 & 2) are the ones found on CD 10 in the Brilliant set above..?


Peter

Actually it is only Boult's 'Prelude to The Tempest', which features in the Brilliant box, which incudes Hans Rosbaud's equally fine version of 'Tapiola' and other tone poems.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Now listening to Snöfrid and Sibelius's only opera The maiden in the tower. I love both of these works passionately and I think they are an excellent proof that Sibelius can write rather impressively for human voice. It's shame these are not perfomed very often: for Sibelius's first (and unfortunately only) opera project this is very convincing work, even if rather small in scale both in length and in orchestra, you could almost call it a chamber opera. The libretto of course is almost pure crap but excellent music saves a lot. It's really too bad that nothing came of Sibelius's Wagnerian Kalevala opera "Veneen luominen" or opera based on Juhani Aho's Juha. Although much of musical material in Veneen luominen that Sibelius finished ended up in Lemminkäinen suite which I adore. If I recall correctly, The swan of Tuonela was originally supposed to be a prelude.

As for Snöfrid, it just blows my mind. The use of orchestra is extremely colorful and impressive, almost Straussian. I actually regard this work higher than some of his more well-known masterpieces. To some extent, the maiden in the tower too although Snöfrid is to me a far greater work. Sibelius is to me one of those composers who has several hidden gems outside of his main repertory.

[North Star]

Now listening to Snöfrid and Sibelius's only opera The maiden in the tower. I love both of these works passionately and I think they are an excellent proof that Sibelius can write rather impressively for human voice. It's shame these are not perfomed very often: for Sibelius's first (and unfortunately only) opera project this is very convincing work, even if rather small in scale both in length and in orchestra, you could almost call it a chamber opera. The libretto of course is almost pure crap but excellent music saves a lot. It's really too bad that nothing came of Sibelius's Wagnerian Kalevala opera "Veneen luominen" or opera based on Juhani Aho's Juha. Although much of musical material in Veneen luominen that Sibelius finished ended up in Lemminkäinen suite which I adore. If I recall correctly, The swan of Tuonela was originally supposed to be a prelude.

As for Snöfrid, it just blows my mind. The use of orchestra is extremely colorful and impressive, almost Straussian. I actually regard this work higher than some of his more well-known masterpieces. To some extent, the maiden in the tower too although Snöfrid is to me a far greater work. Sibelius is to me one of those composers who has several hidden gems outside of his main repertory.

And don't forget Luonnotar!!

[Jaakko Keskinen]

And don't forget Luonnotar!!

Of course, how clumsy of me to forget that masterpiece!

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Just heard for the first time Monteux's recording of Symphony #2 and it bowled me over (on a very good LP I picked-up recently).  Perhaps over-the-top romanticism, and there are some peculiar moments that I am going to go back to in an attempt to discern just what he is doing, but the finale had me weeping, yes, weeping for joy.  Just when the 6th had taken over as my favorite Sibelius symphony.  Can anyone comment on how good the CD transfer is?

Edit:  Sorry for my "post first, research later" mentality; there's considerable support for this recording here.

[Sergeant Rock]

Definitely a video Sarge should watch, too 
https://www.youtube.com/v/M7tLqZXFMNo

Thank you...I enjoyed that. The music wasn't bad either.

Sarge

[vandermolen]

Just heard for the first time Monteux's recording of Symphony #2 and it bowled me over (on a very good LP I picked-up recently).  Perhaps over-the-top romanticism, and there are some peculiar moments that I am going to go back to in an attempt to discern just what he is doing, but the finale had me weeping, yes, weeping for joy.  Just when the 6th had taken over as my favorite Sibelius symphony.  Can anyone comment on how good the CD transfer is?

Edit:  Sorry for my "post first, research later" mentality; there's considerable support for this recording here.

Yes, it's a wonderfully moving and poetic performance, as good as any I know. Played it in the car on my way to work today.

[Brahmsian]

Time for some Sunday Sibelius!

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[vandermolen]

Time for some Sunday Sibelius!

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Great set!  I have this CD which is terrific and includes a great 'Tapiola':
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[Moonfish]

Time for some Sunday Sibelius!

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Chambernut,
Have you heard Maazel's Sibelius with the Pittsburgh SO? I just wonder how they compare?     

[Brahmsian]

Chambernut,
Have you heard Maazel's Sibelius with the Pittsburgh SO? I just wonder how they compare?     

I have not, but many people have and view it favourably.  Many prefer Maazel's recording with the Pittsburgh SO over the Vienna.

[Sergeant Rock]

I just wonder how they compare?

Like night and day. It could be two conductors so different are they. The Vienna performances are swift, craggy and given an in-your-face sound stage. Hearing this Fourth is like being stabbed with an icicle. The Pittsburgh perfomances are comparitively soft-focused, very beautiful and, except for the Third, much slower. He wallows in the music--which isn't bad if one is in the mood for wallowing. As an example, here are the timings for the Seventh:

Maazel/Pittsburgh    25:53
Maazel/Vienna         21:18

Favorites: the Vienna 1, 4 and 7; Pittsburgh 3, 5 and 6.

Sarge