The Sibelius 5th Symphony has been one of my absolute favorite pieces of music for years and it never fails to instill pure joy. I've got a number of recordings of it: Karajan DG, Colin Davis Boston cycle, the first Rattle, the Vanska, the Segerstam and have heard many more.
For me all of them have their positives but every single one of them falls just short.
I know this is a common condition people have when a great piece can never meet expections completely and there is alway something more to say.
The other day in my car I heard a version on the radio that absolutely bowled me over, Paavo Berglund's third recording, I think, of the piece with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe on the Finlandia label made in the late 1990s.
It's out of print now and I can't find it available from on line sources except ones that want to charge for one CD the equivalent of what six CDs would normally cost.
The Grammophone's reviewer didn't like it, thought musical points were exxageratedly underlined. That's true, but those points were exactly all the ones I don't mind hearing underlined.
Maybe I'm just jaded. I've heard the piece so many times I need something different to snap me out of any lethargy about it I may be starting to accumulate. But, does anyone know this version or have any ideas on how to acquire it affordably?? The radio station I heard it on has links on line to purchase it, but it's a dead end.
Dang, 'flute. You have EXPENSIVE tastes. I found a copy on Amazon, but they want $90 for it:
http://www.amazon.com/Sibelius-Symphony-Nos-5-7-Jean/dp/B000005IFY/ref=sr_1_14/102-4220592-1534517?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1193344626&sr=1-14
I'll keep an eye out for more economical options for you.
Dirk
Thanks for responding dirk.
Yeah, Amazon is one of two places I found the recording. Both are arm, leg.
The complete cycle is still available for less than they want for the single disc.
http://www.tower.com/details/details.cfm?wapi=106878299
http://www.crotchet.co.uk/3984233892.html
http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//3984233892.htm
If you want it you'd better act fast. Presumably they have no intention of making more and are losing patience before they throw the unsold stock into the grinder to make way for something they can sell.
Quote from: zauberflote on October 25, 2007, 12:19:57 PM
The Sibelius 5th Symphony has been one of my absolute favorite pieces of music for years and it never fails to instill pure joy. I've got a number of recordings of it: Karajan DG, Colin Davis Boston cycle, the first Rattle, the Vanska, the Segerstam and have heard many more.
For me all of them have their positives but every single one of them falls just short.
Try Karajan's 1953 and 1960, both with Philharmonia on EMI.
Quote from: head-case on October 25, 2007, 01:35:48 PM
The complete cycle is still available for less than they want for the single disc.
http://www.tower.com/details/details.cfm?wapi=106878299
http://www.crotchet.co.uk/3984233892.html
http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//3984233892.htm
Tempting, very tempting ...
I have numerous recordings but my favourite is conducted by Malcolm Sargent with the BBC Symphony Orchestra:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sargent-Conducts-Sibelius-Jean/dp/B00004THE5/ref=sr_1_8/202-9347871-3364610?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1193350597&sr=1-8
I'd like to hear Hannikainen and Kajanus.
Quote from: BorisG on October 25, 2007, 01:47:40 PM
Try Karajan's 1953 and 1960, both with Philharmonia on EMI.
Yeah, I've long enjoyed the latter of the two Karajan/Philharmonia performances, along with Rozhdestvensky (whose complete Sibelius cycle is still my fave), but haven't given up listening. Last night I put on the live Kondrashin/Concertgebouw on a Philips LP: the first movement had some gorgeous moments, but by the end of the symphony I was less thrilled with the overall interp compared to Herbie and Rozh. I'll have to look through my LPs to see if I have the Collins or Kajanus, two rather different conductors that I usually do like in Sibelius. The critic's usual darlings--Berglund's earlier work on EMI, the Davis/Boston, et al--have never quite been my personal cuppa tea. But...that's what makes horse races, as the saying goes.
;D
Dirk
QuoteI've got a number of recordings of it...and have heard many more. For me all of them have their positives but every single one of them falls just short. I know this is a common condition people have when a great piece can never meet expections completely and there is alway something more to say...
Interesting. I've generally had the opposite experience. I'm often FULLY satisified by a great piece--that's why it's great, isn't it? Or are you referring to your satisfaction with
recordings of great pieces? I guess I never really thought about that--living nowhere near a symphony orchestra, chamber ensemble, or competent performer (at least, to my knowledge) and having no formal musical training, I suppose I have a hard time judging a piece of music apart from its recorded performance. That is, to me, the recorded sounds I hear through my speakers IS the piece of music itself; it's how I judge it.
Anyhow, you should be fully satisfied by the following (you can thank me later 8)):
http://sonyclassical.com/music/63060/ (http://sonyclassical.com/music/63060/)
That's Bernstein/NYPO in the 5th, BTW...
Try Bernstein's Columbia recording with the NYP:
http://www.amazon.com/Sibelius-Complete-Symphonies-Jean/dp/B00008PW43
http://www.amazon.com/Sibelius-Symphonies-Nos-Romance-Strings/dp/B0000029WY
(Not suggesting that you get the single disc at the ridiculous Amazon price, but keep an eye out for it.)
If you don't mind Karajan's approach, try his EMI recordings, either with the Philharmonia or with the Berlin PO.
http://www.amazon.com/Sibelius-Symphonies-Nos-Karajan-Collection/dp/B0009NDKU0
http://www.amazon.com/Sibelius-Symphonies-Nos-Karelia-Suite/dp/B00005QHW9
From Richard A. Kaplan's Sibeliusaurus, in the N/D 2007
FanfareQuote
DESERT ISLAND VERSION: Bernstein (1961). This is Sibelius's symphony in the "Eroica" key of E♭; the Lemminkäinen Suite is in the same key. Bernstein is bound to be a controversial choice, but the Fifth is a symphony he surely learned at the knee of his mentor Koussevitzky (see below). And this time he got it right: his reading is dramatic without the quirks or exaggerations that plague his versions of most of the other symphonies. The climax of the first movement (Fig. M) is wonderfully radiant, and the way he whips up the end of the movement is as exciting as hell.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: There are more effective recordings of the Fifth than of any other symphony, so I will hone down the list to my favorites, beginning with Gibson (1959). This recording with the London Symphony was originally issued in the US on an RCA LP, coupled with the most sparkling recording of the Karelia Suite ever; it was once available on a Decca CD. It may be a bit understated, but the unfolding of the musical logic is natural and sure-handed, and the sound is terrific. Gibson made at least one other superb Sibelius LP for EMI in the 1960s. Chandos must have caught him too late in his career; his early-1980s cycle is sadly prosaic by comparison with his earlier work. Davis (1976). The first movement is broad and relaxed, but never seems too slow, even at 14:56. The Boston Symphony wind section is particularly lovely. Rattle (1987) is scrupulous and effective without any fancy stuff, although he whips up the end of the first movement the way Beecham might have in a live concert. (Curiously, Beecham never recorded the Fifth.) The recording features some top-notch playing from Birmingham's principal trumpet and the same superb sound that EMI gave Rattle on his other recordings in this cycle. Blomstedt (1989) gives a more relaxed reading of the first movement, but likewise does nothing gimmicky; he is very faithful to the score without ever becoming dull or predictable. The "Thor" theme is not quite as grand as it is in the hands of Bernstein and a few others, but the performance is convincing nonetheless. As with the other entries in this cycle, the sound has a splendid breadth and clarity. Segerstam (1991), like Davis, is leisurely in the first movement (14:53), but his superb control, internal logic and clarity, along with the richness of Chandos's sound, prevent any sense of slowness. The solo winds play beautifully. The only glitches are a few idiosyncratic gearshifts in the third movement; without them, this version might have ended up on my desert island. Vänskä (1997) is a super-high-voltage reading with probably the most exciting first-movement ending; the stretto between Figs. F and G in the second movement is also as exciting as they come. Add BIS's sonics and this is a fun, if not subtle, listening experience. Segerstam (2003) shaves a minute off his first movement, the result being beautifully paced and shaped. Segerstam is still a thoughtful, insightful, sometimes idiosyncratic performer, but is far less willful or seemingly arbitrary than he could be in his earlier cycle. The "Thor" music is really imposing, with a perfect tempo, terrific horns, and a strong enough bass line to create ideal balances. This is big-boned Segerstam (have you ever seen his picture?), with the widest gamut of moods and colors anywhere in his cycle. Further, not only is the recorded sound superb, but the Helsinki Philharmonic has clearly graduated to the ranks of the world-class orchestras since Berglund's rather thin-sounding 1980s recordings. Only a colossal increase in tempo in the last 16 measures, where Sibelius calls for Un pochettino stretto, keeps this one off the island.
HISTORIC AND MEMORABLE: Koussevitzky (1936) was the standard version of this symphony into the 1950s. Ormandy (1954), coupled with the Fourth discussed above, is committed and compelling; the first-movement stretto is beautifully calibrated and builds a huge amount of momentum without ever being obvious or crass.
Yep, the Karajan/Philharmonia from the early 60's is my favorite
Try Vanska's 'Original Version' on BIS.
Karajan never could get those final chords right. Shame, really.
Thanks for all the help, though now I'm more confused than ever. :-\
I've heard the Karajans. Like them a lot, but a little let down by the ending of the third movement, which is one of the reasons I went nuts over the later Berglund, which slows to the point of ridiculousness. I'm not sure I could live with it forever as a favorite but it was overwhelming when I heard it the one time.
Segerstam's would be a favorite but he speeds up so much in that big finale --much more, even, than Karajan -- he loses me even if the musical architecture of those last pages has never been clearer.
I've heard the Kajanus. Liked it but I don't think I need to own it.
I'm going to revisit the Vanska.
The recommended Bernstein sounded great in the sample I heard, especially the first movement, though it may be more Bernstein than Sibelius. That doesn't really matter.
So now I may get the Bernstein and the complete set of the Berglund. That wasn't quite what I set out to do when I started this post but, you know? things happen.
Quote from: zauberflote on October 26, 2007, 09:38:47 AM
The recommended Bernstein sounded great in the sample I heard, especially the first movement, though it may be more Bernstein than Sibelius.
Ain't that the truth. It's one of the reasons I don't rate Bernstein's cycle. The other is that I don't rate Bernstein.
Quote from: zauberflote on October 26, 2007, 09:38:47 AM
I'm not sure I could live with it forever as a favorite but it was overwhelming when I heard it the one time.
You won't like it as much later. Maybe the recording you are after is the one you heard on the radio that day. Cherish that experience, because that is what this music is all about. I doubt finding that CD will bring back that moment.
Just a suggestion.
And for the record, I really like Vanska.
Quote from: Catison on October 26, 2007, 10:46:00 AM
You won't like it as much later. Maybe the recording you are after is the one you heard on the radio that day. Cherish that experience, because that is what this music is all about. I doubt finding that CD will bring back that moment.
I suspect, Catison, you are correct.
It's one of my favourite works, too, and apart from the LP version which imprinted me in my teens - after hearing the work for the first time at a concert conducted by Basil Cameron, who knew Sibelius personally - I have been most impressed recently by a) Ole Schmidt + Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a SACD hybrid on Membran, very cheap (+ The Swan & Valse Triste b) Akeo Watanabe + Japan Philharmonic SO on Denon (coupled with Symphonies #1, 2, 7 plus The Swan & Valse Triste) - also a bargain. - I possess two Karajan versions, neither of which strikes me as idiomatic or convincing, Koussevitsky leaves me cold too, ditto Rattle + Philharmonia despite its reputation. I had the fine Ormandy + Philadelphia on RCA LP, which replaced the older "imprint" recording on Decca Ace of Clubs - like a fool I gave them both away at some point, like a number of other irreplaceable LPs. I've never tried Bernstein - perhaps I should, his Pohjola's Daughter is very exciting if a bit unrefined. The Barbirolli is so-so.
Oh, the version I started with was Erik Tuxen + Danish RSO. I found the last movement free on the net a while ago: it is as great as I remember. There are people desperately looking for this LP on the web; all of Tuxen's work, not just his Nielsen symphonies (Dutton) should be digitized asap.
Quote from: mjwal on October 29, 2007, 01:22:22 AM
Oh, the version I started with was Erik Tuxen + Danish RSO. I found the last movement free on the net a while ago: it is as great as I remember. There are people desperately looking for this LP on the web; all of Tuxen's work, not just his Nielsen symphonies (Dutton) should be digitized asap.
LP transfer showed up on rmcr just few days ago, I haven't downloaded it so have no idea what's the transfer quality but here it is:
http://rapidshare.com/files/65564902/Sibelius_Symphony_No_5_Danish_State_R_S_O_E_Tuxwn.zip (http://rapidshare.com/files/65564902/Sibelius_Symphony_No_5_Danish_State_R_S_O_E_Tuxwn.zip)
Quote from: zauberflote on October 25, 2007, 12:19:57 PM
The Sibelius 5th Symphony has been one of my absolute favorite pieces of music for years and it never fails to instill pure joy. I've got a number of recordings of it: Karajan DG, Colin Davis Boston cycle, the first Rattle, the Vanska, the Segerstam and have heard many more.
For me all of them have their positives but every single one of them falls just short.
I've just re-read this extract because I was amazed that you thought the Rattle falls short - and then I realised you were talking about his 1st recording, the one that was coupled with Night Ride and Sunrise. I have the second recording coupled with Kennedy's interpretation of the Violin Concerto and I have not heard better. The transition between the old 1st and 2nd movements is overwhelming and the second movement is played to perfection (IMHO of course). If you haven't heard it, I would suggest you try it out.
I have recording by Oramo, Karajan (1965), Davis (Boston), Ashkenazy, Ehrling and the Vanska and Rattle knocks them all into a cocked hat. Having said that, I would like to hear the Berglund and many other of the recommendations listed and I am always listening with open ears.
BTW, my shop has a pristine copy of the Ehrling set on Finlandia for sale (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260159866128 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260159866128)). Offers welcome!
Quote from: mr_espansiva on October 29, 2007, 06:35:44 AM
I've just re-read this extract because I was amazed that you thought the Rattle falls short - and then I realised you were talking about his 1st recording, the one that was coupled with Night Ride and Sunrise. I have the second recording coupled with Kennedy's interpretation of the Violin Concerto and I have not heard better. The transition between the old 1st and 2nd movements is overwhelming and the second movement is played to perfection (IMHO of course). If you haven't heard it, I would suggest you try it out.
I agree with you about this recording. It just might be my desert island Fifth (I'm no admirer of Rattle...but he nails this one). I doubt, though, that it's going to satisfy zauberflote. He's specifically looking for a very slow third movement (especially the final pages) which the Rattle doesn't have. Choice, it seems to me, comes down to Bernstein/New York or Vienna (10:25!!!), Maazel/Pittsburgh, or Berglund/COE.
I own Berglund/Bournemouth but zauberflote's description of the COE recording intrigued me so I bought the box (cheaper than the single disc!). Fascinating reading...and yes, those final pages are something else especially after the rather quick beginning of the movement. It's a startling contrast. I've never heard another quite like it.
Edit: For the record, I own these Fifths:
RATTLE PHILH
RATTLE CBSO
KARAJAN BERLIN PHIL (DG)
KARAJAN BERLIN PHIL (EMI)
PRÊTRE NEW PHIL
ASHKENAZY PHIL
ORMANDY PHILADELPHIA
MAAZEL PITTSBURGH
MAAZEL VIENNA
SEGERSTAM HELSINKI PHIL
BERNSTEIN NEW YORK
BERNSTEIN VIENNA
DAVIS LSO (RCA)
DAVIS BOSTON
JÄRVI GOTHENBURG S
VÄNSKÄ LAHTI SO
SANDERLING BERLIN SO
BERGLUND COE
BERGLUND BOURNEMOUTH
Sarge
I'm thinking of getting the Bernstein collecion of the complete Sibelius symphonies (very cheap on Amazon), but which one would
you recommend ..... NY or Vienna ? What are the major differences (if any) in interpretation and sound quality ?
Thanks for your help
Quote from: alkan on October 31, 2007, 03:55:02 AM
I'm thinking of getting the Bernstein collecion of the complete Sibelius symphonies (very cheap on Amazon), but which one would
you recommend ..... NY or Vienna ? What are the major differences (if any) in interpretation and sound quality ?
The biggest difference, and the most obvious: Bernstein didn't live long enough to complete the cycle for DG. It's missing 3, 4, and 6. So if you want all the symphonies conducted by Bernstein, the Sony box is the only game in town.
Interpretively: the DG performances are more mannered...highly mannered in the Second. Many hate what he does with the slow movement. It's
hugely slow with the tempo pulled like taffy. I think it's fascinating...but then I'm a freak for broad tempi. In general, the Vienna performances are smoother. Take the final pages of the Fifth: those dissonances really grind in New York; not nearly so prominent in Vienna. The sound too is much leaner in New York, even harsh; there is a plushness to the Vienna sound that might not be idiomatically Sibelian?
The Sony box also includes a brilliant
Pohjola's Daughter (a legendary performance) and one of my favorite
Luonnatars, definitely points it its favor. I need both sets, but if I had to pick just one...for someone else...it would be New York.
Sarge
You convinced me to go for the NY box
By the way, and off-topic, ..... did you get round to listening to Havergal Brian's 27th symphony? What do you make of it?
Quote from: alkan on October 31, 2007, 06:09:06 AM
You convinced me to go for the NY box
By the way, and off-topic, ..... did you get round to listening to Havergal Brian's 27th symphony? What do you make of it?
I haven't listened to it yet. I've got to find the right time and the proper mood....and I want to read the chapter on 27 in the Brian Symphony book first. Soon. I'll let you know.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on October 31, 2007, 05:53:02 AM
Interpretively: the DG performances are more mannered...highly mannered in the Second. Many hate what he does with the slow movement. It's hugely slow with the tempo pulled like taffy. I think it's fascinating...but then I'm a freak for broad tempi. In general, the Vienna performances are smoother. Take the final pages of the Fifth: those dissonances really grind in New York; not nearly so prominent in Vienna. The sound too is much leaner in New York, even harsh; there is a plushness to the Vienna sound that might not be idiomatically Sibelian?
Bernstein's Sibelius second symphony is a grotesque mess, particularly that slow movement. Sure you can turn it into something it never was by distorting the tempo beyond recognition, but Sibelius was a genius and Bernstein wasn't. The same goes for many of Bernstein's other late recordings. In his recording of Brahms symphony #3, Lenny decided that Brahms mean't to apply the term "allegro" to the accompanying phrases of the first movement, and not to the melody. This allows him to slow it down to half speed. But, of course, Brahms didn't mean this and the result is just crap. I guess you have to give Lenny credit for convincing the VPO to do the worst performance of a Brahms symphony in their history. Bernstein's earlier recordings are generally a safer bet, they're usually just unremarkable.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on October 30, 2007, 07:13:42 AM
He's specifically looking for a very slow third movement (especially the final pages) which the Rattle doesn't have. Choice, it seems to me, comes down to Bernstein/New York or Vienna (10:25!!!), Maazel/Pittsburgh, or Berglund/COE....
Sarge
Sarge, no, it's not that I like a slow third movement. I grew up on the Davis Boston which is about the quickest third movement I know. I enjoy it fast, and actually thought the first Rattle was just a shade too lethargic for my tastes. But, ultimately, that's not it. Even though I don't like the Segerstam for the way he speeds up at the end, he makes me really understand the music's architecture.
I was just drawn to the inexorably slow manner in which Berglund handles the climax of that movement, plus the heavenly return of the second theme toward the end. That's what shook me.
I could be tempted by the second Rattle, I have his third and seventh Sibelius symphonies also but they don't do much for me. But since you're not the whiner I am and just went ahead and bought the Berglund, I should probably do so too before everybody else here does and suddenly it's all sold out.
Sarge, Just followed your lead and bought the complete COE Berglund set.
And I look at it this way: I still have a long way to go to catch up with all the versions you have. If the Berglund ultimately disappoints, I've got all these other recommendations I've found on this board to try. :D
The 5th is one of my very favorite Sibelius works, gosh, there are so many recordings of it, it's like where do you start?
zauberflote, I also love a drawn out 5th Finale, I love the idea of just "existing" in sea of sound Sibelius supplies. (How's that for alliteration? ;)) It's glorious music, and to me powerful and hearttugging when taken that way. To me, Sibelius 5th and 7th are so incredibly deep.
I only started collecting Sibelius this year, and have tried to acquire many 5ths, though still haven't heard what I understand are some of the best. I have some I really look forward to in the "to-hear" pile though.
I am familiar with so far -
Rattle/CBSO, Ashkenazy/Philharmonia, Davis/LSO, Davis/BSO, Salonen/Philharmonia, Saraste/Finnish RSO, and Blomstedt/SFSO. Blomstedt and Salonen are my favorites out of those.
I was rooting around on Operashare lately and there are some neat 5ths there right now. Oramo with CBSO (a whole cycle) which I haven't heard yet but would like to, and a couple of recent ones from Rattle and Salonen.
Rattle's with Berlin (from this September) is very good, fiery and colorful, with really exuberant playing, and there's one from last week when the LA Phil was in Paris, which is rather brooding and also pretty nice, especially if you like a slow Finale - Salonen clocks in at 10:27! ;)
My "to-hear" pile includes Maazel (Vienna) (I keep meaning to get back around this set), Sanderling, Rozhdestvensky, and Celibidache (;D). I wish I had Bernstein and Karajan, but alas, do not yet.
I'm not usually one for cheerleading but I have such a soft spot for Vänskä. Really opened my eyes to the visionary qualities of this great music.
I would say make his fifth priority number one. Then the entire cycle, posthaste!
Quote from: donwyn on November 14, 2007, 07:54:23 PM
I'm not usually one for cheerleading but I have such a soft spot for Vänskä. Really opened my eyes to the visionary qualities of this great music.
I would say make his fifth priority number one. Then the entire cycle, posthaste!
I'm not a Sibelius buff.
But after several failed attempts to get "into Sibelius" with other conductors, Vänskä sounded absolutely right to my ears! :)
Q
Quote from: Que on November 14, 2007, 10:36:16 PM
I'm not a Sibelius buff.
But after several failed attempts to get "into Sibelius" with other conductors, Vänskä sounded absolutely right to my ears! :)
Q
Vanska
is rather special in these, I have to admit. :)
I do not doubt that at all! 0:) Now, are you guys referring to the symphonies in The Essential Sibelius from BIS?
There is a very special Sibelius 2nd on MPR's SymphonyCast archive, from Vanska with the Minnesota Orchestra.
http://symphonycast.publicradio.org/programs/2007/10/08/
The playing is gorgeous and there is so much detail, and profundity....it is a fantastic performance.
I can't wait to hear his cycle. His and Berglund's are big on my radar. ;)
Quote from: Greta on November 15, 2007, 07:06:03 AM
I do not doubt that at all! 0:) Now, are you guys referring to the symphonies in The Essential Sibelius from BIS?
There is a very special Sibelius 2nd on MPR's SymphonyCast archive, from Vanska with the Minnesota Orchestra.
http://symphonycast.publicradio.org/programs/2007/10/08/
The playing is gorgeous and there is so much detail, and profundity....it is a fantastic performance.
I can't wait to hear his cycle. His and Berglund's are big on my radar. ;)
Greta, it's the 'basic' (as if it can be called such) cycle which Vanska recorded for BIS and which will undoubtedly appear in the Complete Sibelius Edition when the symphonies part of that project is released in 2010. Don't wait till then, however: go and download the symphonies from eClassical IMMEDIATELY. ;D
Quote from: head-case on October 31, 2007, 11:39:41 AM
Bernstein's Sibelius second symphony is a grotesque mess, particularly that slow movement....
... a perfectly understandable reaction. :D
However, a few of us find it absolutely earth-shattering. It's unique...and utterly memorable.
You even remember it ;D
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 16, 2007, 06:55:45 AM
... a perfectly understandable reaction. :D
However, a few of us find it absolutely earth-shattering. It's unique...and utterly memorable. You even remember it ;D
Sarge
Must 'subject' myself to Bernstein's 'mess' again, soon. I don't remember the Second Symphony giving me that impression - it was his Third which grated on me.
Zauberflöte--
I just stumbled onto this thread. Hope you are enjoying the Berglund/COE set. It's one of my favorites, especially of the 4th. I like his approach to the 5th as well, but for my money his recording with the Bournemouth really nails it. His HPO 5th is let down by curiously weak brass, but otherwise I like it very much, too.
Bernstein's NYPO set from the '60s contains another great reading of the 5th. This entire cycle is terrific and along with Berglund's hard-to-find Bournemouth set and Maazel's outing with the WP the comparison between earlier and later cycles shows that youth and enthusiasm sometimes make a fair case against old age and experience.
Although I've heard some recordings of the 5th that seem lukewarm, it's such a great symphony that it's hard to make a complete mess of it. Even Rattle's Philharmonia recording is listenable. Rozhdestvensky's white-hot reading with the Soviet TV & Radio Symphony may not be my ideal, but it's not to be missed if you get the chance to hear it (hmmm--another remarkable '60s cycle, come to think of it).
Here's my list comparable to Sarge's. The asterisks mark the ones I usually reach for.
Ashkenazy/LSO
Berglund/Bournemouth*
Berglund/HPO*
Berglund/COE*
Bernstein/NYPO*
Blomstedt/SFSO*
Davis/BSO
Davis/LSO (RCA)
Jansons/Oslo
Järvi, Neeme/Gothenburg
Karajan/BP (DG)*
Karajan/Philharmonia
Karajan/BP (EMI)
Maazel/WP*
Maazel/Pittsburg
Ormandy/PO
Rattle/CBSO
Rattle/Philharmonia
Rozhdestvensky/USSR TV&RS*
Salonen/Philharmonia
Sanderling/Berlin
Saraste/FRSO
Segerstam/DNRO*
Segerstam/HPO*
Szell/RCO
Vänskä/Lahti*
Thanks for your input Longears. I envy your collection.
I've been listening to the Berglund COE set for about a week now. At first I thought it possibly the best complete set out there, but now I have some quibbles. The fourth of his, your favorite, seems a little too lean and un-mysterious to me. My favorite is the Karajan 4th on DG, one time when Karajan soup tastes great. In fact I like all the Karajan symphonies 4-7 he has out on DG. What an orchestra!
Of the Berglund, besides the 5th, I also like very much the 2nd, 6th and 7th. I like the 3rd too, but it takes a while to get used to the thinner quality of a chamber orchestra. Berglung augments the strings on some of the other symphonies.
I'm on a Sibelius kick. I've loved his music for 20 years but, for some reason, I'm going nuts now. In college I hated him, but I didn't know anything then and was probably influenced by the mid-century academy critics who didn't like Sibelius.
Recently I heard Colin Davis' most recent 7th with the LSO that sounded great and I've been hearing so many things about the Bernstein Sony recordings I may have to try some of those. I hear Bernstein's 2nd is fantastic, but I hear Barbirolli's 2nd is great also.
I remember being persuaded to get Szell's last performance of the 2nd, recorded live in Tokyo in 1970. It's good, but it hasn't yet made the heart tingle, at least not mine.
Quote from: zauberflote on November 26, 2007, 02:14:46 PM
I hear Bernstein's 2nd is fantastic ...
It's all right. Until Vanska's account on BIS leaves you emotionally shaken and overwhelmed by its close. ;)
Quote from: zauberflote on November 26, 2007, 02:14:46 PM
I like all the Karajan symphonies 4-7 he has out on DG. What an orchestra!
I hear Bernstein's 2nd is fantastic, but I hear Barbirolli's 2nd is great also.
I agree about the Karajan 4-7 on DG. It's not exactly what I prefer, but it's damned good!
Bernstein's 2nd with the NYPO is very good, warm but not overcooked. Barbirolli is not my cup of soup; he boils the hell out of it. Some really like that, though. Just so you know where I'm coming from, my preference is for a leaner, cooler sound--i.e. Vänskä, Blomstedt, or the Berglund/COE.
Quote from: longears on November 24, 2007, 05:12:53 AM
Segerstam/HPO*
I am still sending David royalty checks for recommending this one to me.
My favorite is the Maazel/VPO recording on London. It has been criticized for starting off too fast so there's not enough mystery in the beginning and stuff like that, but I find that far more interesting the slow beginnings of some other conductors. As well, Maazel seems to have the brass spread out across the back of the orchestra, which provides a wonderful effect on the big climaxes, very exciting. I love it. The analog recording is quite good, too.
Quote from: Xenophanes on November 26, 2007, 09:01:17 PM
My favorite is the Maazel/VPO recording on London.
That's the recording that made me fall in love with this symphony and it's still one of my favorite "hot" versions--those climaxes still give me chills every time!
(I appreciate the checks, Bill!)