The Snowshoed Sibelius

[Ken B]

Well, not bad but it was for a long time the only tone poem by Sibelius that I didn't consider particularly impressive. I was baffled by how it didn't really seem to go anywhere. But I no longer consider that a bad attribute and I may have been mistaken, in any case. I may have listened to a bad recording, my taste may have improved, or maybe I hadn't listened to it often enough. Whatever the reasons, I like it considerably more now.

The Bard just kinda lies there. Like a blanc-mange.

[Mirror Image]

Yes, I have yet to get a feel for Maazel's recordings overall. He seems to have a reputation for being uneven. I am curious about his early recordings on DG. Have you heard any of those recordings? Sibelius: If I recall correctly the Pittsburgh cycle is a bit glacial for me, but some listeners argue that it brings out new aspects in the music. Perhaps Maazel's Pittsburgh cycle is the Celibidache version of Sibelius?  At this point I prefer the Wiener Philharmoniker cycle out of the two.  In terms of Sibelius cycles - way too many at about 15/16, but few compared to your 25 cycles (or is it 26 now?  ).  In my mind Lahti/Vänskä rules although I would like to hear the Minnesota recordings (1/4 & 2/5).      Still, it is hard to choose among so many great cycles (as I am sure you are well aware).

It's 25 cycles now. Yeah, I've just never been too keen on Maazel's Sibelius. I actually prefer the Finns when it comes to Sibelius, although, as I've mentioned somewhere, Bernstein and HvK are quite good in this music as well. One of my least favorite cycles amongst my collection are the Colin Davis. I think I'm probably in the minority here, but that's okay, I think he misses many of the music's great climaxes as they seem underpowered in his three cycles with perhaps the BSO being the strongest of the three. His grunting is quite prominent on the LSO Live cycle thus making it unlistenable. I mean I could be more tolerate of these kinds of things but it's as if he's huffing and puffing and humming every chance he gets. Anyway, it comes down to three cycles for me: Vanska, Berglund (Helsinki), and Segerstam (Helsinki). I have not listened to Saraste's cycle yet, but I'm in the process of listening to it now.

[Moonfish]

It's 25 cycles now. Yeah, I've just never been too keen on Maazel's Sibelius. I actually prefer the Finns when it comes to Sibelius, although, as I've mentioned somewhere, Bernstein and HvK are quite good in this music as well. One of my least favorite cycles amongst my collection are the Colin Davis. I think I'm probably in the minority here, but that's okay, I think he misses many of the music's great climaxes as they seem underpowered in his three cycles with perhaps the BSO being the strongest of the three. His grunting is quite prominent on the LSO Live cycle thus making it unlistenable. I mean I could be more tolerate of these kinds of things but it's as if he's huffing and puffing and humming every chance he gets. Anyway, it comes down to three cycles for me: Vanska, Berglund (Helsinki), and Segerstam (Helsinki). I have not listened to Saraste's cycle yet, but I'm in the process of listening to it now.

Davis' second cycle was my first one, but it was certainly good enough to make me fall for Sibelius.   How do you like Segerstam's cycle with the Danish National SO? If you've heard it - how do you think it compares to his Helsinki cycle?

[Mirror Image]

Davis' second cycle was my first one, but it was certainly good enough to make me fall for Sibelius.   How do you like Segerstam's cycle with the Danish National SO? If you've heard it - how do you think it compares to his Helsinki cycle?

Segerstam's Danish cycle (on Chandos) is one I'm missing. I'd love to get it, but acquiring it has proven quite difficult.

[Moonfish]

Segerstam's Danish cycle (on Chandos) is one I'm missing. I'd love to get it, but acquiring it has proven quite difficult.

The Brilliant C release is currently very affordable at Amazon.de......      0:)

http://www.amazon.de/Sibelius-Complete-Symphonies-Jean/dp/B0010SU4UW

[Mirror Image]

The Brilliant C release is currently very affordable at Amazon.de......     

http://www.amazon.de/Sibelius-Complete-Symphonies-Jean/dp/B0010SU4UW

Yeah and this is the problem I've been running into. It's just too expensive plus I would rather own the recordings individually since many of them came with other works coupled with whatever symphony is featured.

[Moonfish]

Yeah and this is the problem I've been running into. It's just too expensive plus I would rather own the recordings individually since many of them came with other works coupled with whatever symphony is featured.

Ah, I didn't see that it was an MP seller. Ooops! Otherwise 16 euros would be a good deal. I would spend way too much money if I was buying individual releases. The magical "boxes" have seriously invaded my house. It is certainly tempting to get individual releases, but very expensive.

[Mirror Image]

Ah, I didn't see that it was an MP seller. Ooops! Otherwise 16 euros would be a good deal. I would spend way too much money if I was buying individual releases. The magical "boxes" have seriously invaded my house. It is certainly tempting to get individual releases, but very expensive.

In this regard, the individual releases are preferable to the box set due to the tone poems/misc. orchestral works that were coupled with the symphonies, otherwise, I would probably just buy that Brilliant set. Let me tell you how much of a completist I am: I actually bought this recording just to get Segerstam's Pohjola's Daughter since it wasn't apart of his Helsinki box set:

[asin]B0007Y0DCO[/asin]

But I had bought this recording + the Helsinki set on Ondine years ago. Of course, the above recording was voided once I bought this 2-CD set:

[asin]B00NWZIR32[/asin]

[vandermolen]

I like this CD:
[asin]B000000AQ0[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

I like this CD:
[asin]B000000AQ0[/asin]

I really wish Chandos would reissue this Segerstam cycle.

[Moonfish]

I am surprised that there are no major efforts to releases a Sibelius set on the 150th anniversary of his birth (apart from BIS completing their valiant crusade). Is this because BIS rules with the Sibelius edition? It seems like there are so many other recordings hiding in the vaults waiting to be dug up. Any news of such efforts for 2015? 

[Mirror Image]

I am surprised that there are no major efforts to releases a Sibelius set on the 150th anniversary of his birth (apart from BIS completing their valiant crusade). Is this because BIS rules with the Sibelius edition? It seems like there are so many other recordings hiding in the vaults waiting to be dug up. Any news of such efforts for 2015? 

As been posted before, Segerstam is embarking on a 6-disc series on Naxos of the theatre/misc. music. Also, there was a new recording of Lemminkainen Suite (coupled with Pohjola's Daughter) that came out earlier with Lintu/Finnish RSO on Ondine. Other than this, I'm not sure what efforts are being made to promote this milestone.

[Moonfish]

As been posted before, Segerstam is embarking on a 6-disc series on Naxos of the theatre/misc. music. Also, there was a new recording of Lemminkainen Suite (coupled with Pohjola's Daughter) that came out earlier with Lintu/Finnish RSO on Ondine. Other than this, I'm not sure what efforts are being made to promote this milestone.

I wish for a mega archive Sibelius box  .... (*wishful thinking*)

[Mirror Image]

I wish for a mega archive Sibelius box  .... (*wishful thinking*)

You mean like BIS' Sibelius Edition all collected and presented in one mega box set? I'm sure many other labels could jump onboard with this idea as many of them have a substantial Sibelius catalog.

[Moonfish]

You mean like BIS' Sibelius Edition all collected and presented in one mega box set? I'm sure many other labels could jump onboard with this idea.

Well, not as complete as that, but some type of set with historical recordings (and newer ones) compiled (from the 40s-80s). There must be tons of OOP recordings that deserve to see the light!

[Mirror Image]

Well, not as complete as that, but some type of set with historical recordings (and newer ones) compiled (from the 40s-80s). There must be tons of OOP recordings that deserve to see the light!

I'm sure there are many OOP recordings that deserve to be reissued, which, one of them, I'm thinking is one which were just just talking about: Segerstam's Danish cycle.

[Moonfish]

I'm sure there are many OOP recordings that deserve to be reissued, which, one of them, I'm thinking is one which were just just talking about: Segerstam's Danish cycle.

[Ken B]

I really wish Chandos would reissue this Segerstam cycle.

Brilliant did.

[North Star]

Brilliant did.

Yeah and this is the problem I've been running into. It's just too expensive plus I would rather own the recordings individually since many of them came with other works coupled with whatever symphony is featured.

[Madiel]

The world outside this thread believes that Sibelius wrote 7 symphonies and nothing else.