Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
CD 1
Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op.63 [39:06]
Symphony No. 5 in E flat, Op.82 [30:06]
CD 2
Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op.104 [27:19]
Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op.105 [21:30]
Tapiola, Op.112 [19:25]
Berlin Philharmonic/Herbert von Karajan (Op.63, Op. 104, Op.112); City of
Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle (Op.52); Helsinki Philharmonic
Orchestra/Paavo Berglund (Op.105)
rec. 27-28 December 1976, Philharmonie, Berlin (Op. 63); 21 February 1987
Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry (Op.82);
16-20 November 1980, Philharmonie, Berlin (Op.104); February 1984 All Saints
Church, Tooting, London (Op.105); 28-29 December 1976, Philharmonie, Berlin
(Op.112)
EMI CLASSICS 9 07246 2 [69:43 + 68:21]
This Sibelius set is the sixth release in EMI’s 20th-Century Classics series.
These double CD sets are intended to demonstrate the range and quality rare
and popular twentieth-century recordings from the cavernous EMI Classics and
Virgin Classics catalogues. The composers range from Elgar to Ligeti, from
Vaughan Williams to Tcherepnin and from Rodrigo to Xenakis.
The present set consists of well chosen accounts of Sibelius’s last four symphonies
composed 1911-24 and the tone poem Tapiola. Karajan and the Berlin
Phil play the Symphonies 4 and 6 and Tapiola. Incidentally of
the many recordings Karajan made of Sibelius symphonies he never tackled the
Third whether on record or in concert (see
review). Karajan’s Symphony No. 4 is remarkable for its great strength
and grandeur. The opening movement is especially bleak and shadowy bordering
on the mysterious. The Berlin brass contributions are stunning. Overall the
vast resources of strength and energy that Karajan brings to the Symphony
No. 6 are impressive. I was struck by the sense of serenity in the Allegretto
moderato and the Scherzo gallops along relentlessly drawing on
seemingly immense reserves of energy. Sensibly paced Karajan’s Tapiola
is an account of gripping emotional tension. One can almost hear the nature
sounds and feel the icy chill of Nordic forests.
From their complete set of the Sibelius symphonies Sir Simon Rattle and the
CBSO provide the account of the Symphony No. 5. I was immediately struck
by its rangy and expansive qualities. The opening movement is full of restlessness
and pent-up anxiety. The second movement, depicting a Nordic landscape, is
remarkable for glorious string playing although every section of the orchestra
excels. In the closing movement the music gains in weight and movement and
delivers a shattering climax.
The final symphony is heard from Paavo Berglund and the Helsinki Philharmonic
Orchestra. This recording forms part of Berglund’s second complete set (review).
His opening Adagio has weight and astonishing grandeur. A chill wind
gusts in the Un pochettino meno adagio. Later with the rapt
tenderness of the string playing one could be huddled over a log fire sheltering
from the cold. Overall Berglund’s interpretation is fresh, well paced and
highly satisfactory.
Sibelius’s symphonies are extremely well served in the catalogue. There are
a considerable number of excellent competing accounts. All of the following
sets have been commended and have provided me with much listening pleasure:
Sir John Barbirolli/Hallé/EMI
Classics, Vladimir Ashkenazy/Philharmonia/Decca,
Sir Colin Davis/LSO/LSO Live, Sir Colin Davis/LSO/RCA
Red Seal, Osmo Vänskä/Lahti Symphony Orchestra/BIS
(soon to reappear as part of the Bis Edition alongside many fascinating alternative
movements and episodes), Sir Simon Rattle/CBSO/EMI, Leif Segerstam/Helsinki
Philharmonic Orchestra (Ondine) and Leif Segerstam/Danish NSO/Brilliant
Classics (originally Chandos).
Karajan provides an alternative set of Nos. 4-7 and Tapiola
that warrants consideration. These are Karajan’s earlier and much acclaimed
accounts with the Berlin Philharmonic from 1965-67 at the Jesus Christ Church,
Berlin. They are available as part of a double set in ‘The Originals’ series
on Deutsche Grammophon on 457
748-2 (c/w The Swan of Tuonela).
Good as these performances are I would be mystified why anyone would want
to purchase this two disc collection of Sibelius’s last four symphonies and
Tapiola from three different conductors and three different orchestras
when it is easy to find an excellent complete set for just a few pounds more.
Michael Cookson
Good as these performances are for just a few pounds more you could have a
fine complete set.