The Snowshoed Sibelius

[Madiel]

Every post you make is in the spotlight.

Um, no. A long post with a bold heading and pictures is in the spotlight.

[Mirror Image]

Decca is dusting off their WP/Maazel recordings with the bonus of a remastering. I wonder how these will compare with the original WP set?

Sibelius: Symphonies         WP/Maazel     (remastered/ 4 cds + bluray) - Oct 2, 2015

http://www.amazon.de/Die-Sieben-Sinfonien-Blu-Ray-Audio/dp/B011WEVXZ8

I'm curious about this set too, Peter. I wonder if the audio quality really has been improved?

[TheGSMoeller]

Wow, Lenny takes the finale of the 4th waaaayyyy slow. And I like it.

[asin]B00UOFIUDK[/asin]

[Moonfish]

Wow, Lenny takes the finale of the 4th waaaayyyy slow. And I like it.

[asin]B00UOFIUDK[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

Wow, Lenny takes the finale of the 4th waaaayyyy slow. And I like it.

[asin]B00UOFIUDK[/asin]

Even when he makes apparently curious choices, he generally makes it work.  The man was a marvel.

[Mirror Image]

Bernstein certainly had a special affinity for Sibelius but he was equally at home in Nielsen, which doesn't always happen when a conductor takes up both composers.

[relm1]

Even when he makes apparently curious choices, he generally makes it work.  The man was a marvel.

Dammit, I might need to get this. This will be my fourth complete set of these symphonies.   The samples just sounds so good. I agree Lennie was a real marvel. Also impressive is his attention to detail. If you follow along with the score all the indicators are followed impressively though it still is a very distinctive interpretation. His ideas were very thorough and very clearly felt.

[relm1]

Now, I am listening to this set.  Sibelius is such a freaking great composer.  There aren't many composers that can be listened to hours on end but the symphonies of Sibelius (and especially this Bernstein set) are proof of what constitutes great symphonists.  There is so much depth of feeling and individuality here.  It is breathtakingly beautiful rendition and I am proud to own another damn set of the symphonies.  This is where my thoughts lie. 

[Mirror Image]

Yep, Bernstein certainly had a way with Sibelius. Karl or anyone else who owned the older set and now own the newer set, is there a difference in audio quality? I know this new set is remastered, but does it sound better than the older issued box?

[relm1]

Yep, Bernstein certainly had a way with Sibelius. Karl or anyone else who owned the older set and now own the newer set, is there a difference in audio quality? I know this new set is remastered, but does it sound better than the older issued box?

I believe there are two versions of Bernstein Sibelius symphonies (Sony/NYPhil and DG).  This is a remastered version of the Sony/NYPhil which to me has more youthful vigor and sounds superior to the original set. 

I think if you take a listen to this, you'll see it surpasses the original set in sound quality.

http://rippletunes.com/album/Jean-Sibelius-Leonard-Bernstein-Max-Bruch-Edvard-Grieg/Bernstein-Sibelius-Remastered/993558650/t0

[Mirror Image]

I believe there are two versions of Bernstein Sibelius symphonies (Sony/NYPhil and DG).  This is a remastered version of the Sony/NYPhil which to me has more youthful vigor and sounds superior to the original set. 

I think if you take a listen to this, you'll see it surpasses the original set in sound quality.

http://rippletunes.com/album/Jean-Sibelius-Leonard-Bernstein-Max-Bruch-Edvard-Grieg/Bernstein-Sibelius-Remastered/993558650/t0

Cool, thanks. I'll check this site out.

[relm1]

This new set from BIS of the complete symphonies is a winner.
http://www.bis.se/index.php?op=album&aID=BIS-2076

Okko Kamu is such a dynamic, sensitive, and lyrical conductor and Lahti plays such distinction and authority. 

[vandermolen]

Wasn't sure whether to go for Lennie, Decca's 'Great Interpreters' or DGG Sibelius Edition but opted for this one in the end:
[asin]B012PMZM4Y[/asin]

[jlaurson]

Updated


A Survey of Sibelius Cycles

[vandermolen]

Wasn't sure whether to go for Lennie, Decca's 'Great Interpreters' or DGG Sibelius Edition but opted for this one in the end:
[asin]B012PMZM4Y[/asin]

Just received this and thoroughly enjoying Kajanus's recording of Symphony 1. One gets a real sense of being in direct contact with the composer himself through these riveting and gripping historic performances (recorded between 1928 and 1945).

[Mirror Image]

Cross-posted from the 'Purchases' thread:

Just bought:

I now own 29 cycles of Sibelius' symphonies.

[vandermolen]

I do not think that I have heard a better performance of Symphony 3 than the one from Kajanus and the LSO. Of more modern versions I liked the version conducted by Simon Rattle on EMI.

[Mirror Image]

I do not think that I have heard a better performance of Symphony 3 than the one from Kajanus and the LSO. Of more modern versions I liked the version conducted by Simon Rattle on EMI.

The problem I have with historical performances is the antique sound that comes along with them. Sure, the performance may be great, but Sibelius needs much better dynamics and a clean recorded sound in order for his music to really take on his highly detailed sound-world. For me, Vanska remains the benchmark in terms of interpretation and audio quality with Segerstam (w/ Helsinki PO) coming in a distant second.

[Brian]

Anybody heard the new Storgards cycle? 7 minutes into the Seventh, and I would say this is shaping up to be a very very good performance.

[North Star]

Anybody heard the new Storgards cycle? 7 minutes into the Seventh, and I would say this is shaping up to be a very very good performance.

I recall liking it very much, but it's over a year since I have heard it.