Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7

Read About This Recording

There are a few Sibelius cycles that everybody talks about these days: the two rather intellectual traversals of Colin Davis, the sonic adventure of Herbert von Karajan, the emotional roller coaster of Osmo Vänskä. Amid all the fuss over these sets, one superb overview of the Sibelius symphonies somehow gets overlooked: that of Sir John Barbirolli and the Hallé Orchestra.

Barbirolli’s reputation in the United States has not been especially high since his brief tenure with the New York Philharmonic came to grief — way back in the 1930s. He won great respect in England, though, especially during his long association (1943-1970) with the Manchester-based Hallé Orchestra. Through the decades, the leading English conductors have displayed many admirable qualities, but excitement has rarely been among them. Not so with Barbirolli; his version of the Sibelius symphonies and other orchestral pieces is highly dramatic, full of snap and detail.

Barbirolli recorded most of this music in 1966, although he taped the Sixth Symphony as late as 1970, just two months before his death. The sound has held up splendidly and so have the performances — not only of the seven symphonies, but also such favorites as "Finlandia," "Valse triste," the "Karelia Suite," portions of the "Lemminkäinen Suite" and more.

MHS members who have been eyeing the Vänskä set may now be in a quandary: which to buy? If you already know Sibelius well and need a fresh, often startling perspective, Vänskä may be your man. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a single Sibelius set that remains compelling on each hearing without ever seeming eccentric, go for Barbirolli. He loved and conducted Sibelius’s music long before it became fashionable and his devotion, understanding and sheer excitement over the scores is evident in every bar.

—James Reel

Quotes

"Indeed, it is The Sibelius Edition, a collection that sets a standard that most others only aspire to." —American Record Guide

"Any thought that Sibelius had nothing but ice water in his veins understates his greatness. His works are diverse, many-sided and can be viewed and interpreted in many different ways. Barbirolli's gorgeously played and recorded performances present them on a grand yet personal scale, at the highest possible level of current and voltage." —American Record Guide

Contents

Includes Symphonies: No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39; No. 2 in D, Op. 43; No. 3 in C, Op. 52; No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63; No. 5 in E-flat, Op. 82; No. 6 in D Minor, Op. 104; No. 7 in C Op. 105; Finlandia, Symphonic Poem, Op. 26; Karelia Suite, Op. 11; Pohjola's Daughter, Symphonic Fantasia, Op. 49; Valse triste (from Kuolema, Incidental Music, Op. 44); Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22; The Swan of Tuonela; Lemminkäinen's Return; Pelléas et Mélisande, Suite from the Incidental Music, Op. 46 (At the Castle Gate; Mélisande; Mélisande at the Spinning Wheel; The Death of Mélisande); Scènes historiques, Suites I & II; All' overtura, Op. 25, No. 1; The Hunt, Op. 66, No. 1; Scena, Op. 25, No. 2; Rakastava for Strings & Percussion, Op. 14 (The Lover; The Way of the Lover; Goodnight, my beloved, farewell); Romance in C for Strings, Op. 42.

Hallé Orchestra; Sir John Barbirolli, Conductor.