Cheap Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4 (Music) (Jean Sibelius, Osmo Vanska) Price
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| ARTIST: | Jean Sibelius, Osmo Vanska |
| CATEGORY: | Music |
| MANUFACTURER: | Bis |
| MEDIA: | Audio CD |
| TRACKS: | I. Andante, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico, II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento), III. Scherzo. Allegro, IV. Finale (Quasi Una Fantasia). Andante - Allegro Molto, I. Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagi, II. Allegro Molto Vivace, III. Il Tempo Largo, IV. Allegro |
| UPC: | 789368551026 |
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Customer Reviews of Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4
Great interpretations! The Lahti Symphony Orchestra is an orchestral miracle. In the 80's it was just a normal rural orchestra but under Osmo Vänskäs direction it has become one of the best orchestras in Scandinavia. They began by recording contemporary Finnish music and rare or unpublished works by Sibelius but a couple of years ago they begun a cycle of Sibelius' symphonies. At the same time this was a huge challenge for Vänskä. Now he was competing with the likes of Bernstein, Karajan, Barbirolli and Rattle. And I can say that he does well and sometimes even beats his competitors. It's not a total success but it contains some of the best recordings of Sibelius ever made.
The first symphony starts very well. Vänskä takes a much faster tempo then some other conductors and I find this a very good decision because it emphasizes the youthfulness and excitement of this piece. The melody of the second movement is played very warmly and beautifully and the climax is very furious and Vänskä again adopts a very brisk tempo. The third movement is played extremely fast and the Lahti orchestra manage show their virtuosity. The fourth movement starts very well but unfortunately the string section of the orchestra isn't big enough to make the final climax truly engaging. Still a very good whole.
The fourth is maybe the strangest piece in the symphony cycle. It sounds much more personal and deep then his other pieces with the cello solo at the beginning and the extremely odd end. Vänskäs tempos are bit on the slow side but I think his choice suits this piece very well. But again the problem is the strings. For example the beginning should sound much more frightening then it now does. One can barely hear the basses. The playing gets better when the brass enter the picture and I truly like the way Vänskä and the orchestra create the strange and lonely atmosphere of the end. The third movement is for me the central movement of the symphony. It is played very well. The woodwind are up to their job and the final climax is magnificent.
The interpretations are worth a full five stars but due to the smallness of the string section we I give it only four. A shame because it really isn't Vänskäs fault. All in all Vänskä is off to a good start and there are better things to come when the cycle proceeds.
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) review May 4th 2002
A review of recordings of Sibelius' 4th symphony, on CD masters on the BBC on Saturday May 4th, brought this recording out top (of about 10-15 that were considered). The reviewer considered the depths of loneliness and despair reached were remarkable!. More info on the BBC website.