The Snowshoed Sibelius

[Skogwald]

What are some REALLY good sounding Sibelius recordings? I would like to hear these perfet symphonies in perfect sound.

I might answer my own question here. Both Vänskä cycles sound fantastic, but I've been really loving how Segerstam/Helsinki sounds. Perfectly natural, clear but also contrasty!

[Brian]

Four-page booklet essay covering the conductor and, briefly, the music. Then - complete sung texts!

[Madiel]

Hmm. Fractionally tempting for the orchestral songs in particular, which I seem to remember are considered exceptionally good versions. Although they're probably all still available separately.

[Que]

Four-page booklet essay covering the conductor and, briefly, the music. Then - complete sung texts!

How high would this set be on your shortlist? 

[relm1]

Question, what is the best recording of Kullervo?  I quite like Segerstam's but haven't heard many others.  Are there any must hears? 

[Roasted Swan]

Question, what is the best recording of Kullervo?  I quite like Segerstam's but haven't heard many others.  Are there any must hears? 

My favourite is still the 1st Berglund/Bournemouth (1st love and all that perhaps......?). NB:  NOT Berglund's Helsinki remake.....



This live BBC Music Mag disc is excellent too.....

[vandermolen]

My favourite is still the 1st Berglund/Bournemouth (1st love and all that perhaps......?). NB:  NOT Berglund's Helsinki remake.....



This live BBC Music Mag disc is excellent too.....

I like the BBC Disc as well as the first Berglund recording.

[Symphonic Addict]

Not sure if this set is a reissue, but it's available on 5 June:

[Mirror Image]

Not sure if this set is a reissue, but it's available on 5 June:

Third time is the charm as they say --- or not. His other two cycles were with the Finnish RSO --- one on RCA and the other a live cycle from St. Petersburg on the defunct Finlandia label. I'm not really sure what motivated him to record these symphonies yet again, but as it stands right now, the St. Petersburg cycle will be difficult to best.

[Symphonic Addict]

Third time is the charm as they say --- or not. His other two cycles were with the Finnish RSO --- one on RCA and the other a live cycle from St. Petersburg on the defunct Finlandia label. I'm not really sure what motivated him to record these symphonies yet again, but as it stands right now, the St. Petersburg cycle will be difficult to best.

I confess I don't know any of his Sibelius. If he recorded the symphonies twice, I see no point for a third time, less so given how many great cycles there are already.

[Mirror Image]

I confess I don't know any of his Sibelius. If he recorded the symphonies twice, I see no point for a third time, less so given how many great cycles there are already.

And remember Colin Davis recorded these symphonies three times as well --- BSO and LSO twice (one on RCA and the other an LSO Live cycle). His Boston cycle is still my favorite of the three, but the LSO Live cycle has some great moments. His RCA cycle was rather a ho-hum affair I'm said to say.

[Symphonic Addict]

And remember Colin Davis recorded these symphonies three times as well --- BSO and LSO twice (one on RCA and the other an LSO Live cycle). His Boston cycle is still my favorite of the three, but the LSO Live cycle has some great moments. His RCA cycle was rather a ho-hum affair I'm said to say.

The Boston one is my favorite too.

[Kalevala]

John,

You might want to check out this:  https://helsinginkaupunginorkesteri.fi/en/timeline/historia/sibelius-saraste-series

K

[Mirror Image]

John,

You might want to check out this:  https://helsinginkaupunginorkesteri.fi/en/timeline/historia/sibelius-saraste-series

K

Interesting @Kalevala. Thanks for the information.

[Symphonic Addict]

His Ten pieces for piano, op. 24 (his longest work for the instrument it seems) played sensitively by Folke Gräsbeck were an important find of mine as of lately, so much so that I wanted to put my empiric impressions here.

Impromptu displays a certain forcefulness, but also a subtle expressiveness. The way it reached 1:22 mark was superb, and not only at that point; it consistently employs those brilliantly "crafted" chords. At 3:22 mark, it moves similarly to how it did at the beginning, although it doesn't maintain that momentum. This piece alone astonished me—what a level of writing and inspiration! And the ending was truly unexpected. It seemed as if the contemplative section would build to a climax, but then it feels as if the pianist suddenly decided to shift focus and opted to end the piece with a short coda. Simply brilliant. The 1st Romance is also brimming with feeling, pure poetry on a keyboard. At 3:31 mark, a greater degree of passion emerges, along with several ideas that enrich the writing. To say it was beautiful would be an understatement. Caprice perfectly reflects its title; the rhythm seems constantly shifting, moving nimbly and gracefully. The middle section has a more contemplative and pure quality to it, before continuing with those unpredictable and precipitous notes. The second Romance seems a little less focused, and at 1:40 mark it gradually gains intensity. So far, it has been the slightly least interesting piece. Valse is the shortest piece in this work, but more than charming enough to make itself known. It encapsulates some very good ideas. Idyll is understated, somewhat simple. The lower, more percussive notes in the middle made me think of thunder rumbling in the distance. At 2:50 mark, it seems to become a little more refined. Andantino contains a feeling of innocence and longing; it is so pure and never fails to make one think. Nocturne also offers an aura of reflection and simplicity. At 1:20 mark, it shows signs of incandescence and marked notes. The third and final Romance exhibits tenderness and the occasional gesture that indicates dissatisfaction, doubt. At 2:19 mark, it unleashes its passionate side. Barcarole moves languidly, meditatively; at 2:16 mark, that apparent tranquility breaks, giving way to greater impetus, all very controlled, although some emphatic notes do emerge.

All in all, ten incredibly lovable and significant short pieces (relatively so), even if the 2nd Romance mildly wasn't up to the others. I was more than satisfied and marveled.