Sibelius: 'Finlandia' suites & symphonic poems

My interest in Jean Sibelius came as the result of reading a letter to the editor which stated that "The Swan" was the world's greatestpiece of music. I am not a musician - wish I were. I am a listener. I am glad I pursued and got "Finlandia" from you

I Love Finlandia.

With all of my Finnish DNA, this music speaks to my heart.

Excellent recording, Good value 2 CD set for the money. Thanks

Handled well!

Sibelius Finlandia must signify to his citizens the same meaning that Elgar `s Pomp and circumstance for the British people, the final expression of fervent, passionate and fevered feeling of brotherhood and national fervor. Vladmir Ashkenazy achieved an incisive and towering performance with the members of one of my beloved orchestras ever: The Philharmonia Orchestra. He extracted the musical vein in its whole expression and exultant boiling.Karelia was also another artistic achievement, having in Colllins the maximum peak until this date. This version could be my second choice.Tapiola Op. 112 ha a winner: Hans Rosbaud and Berlin Philharmonic in 1957 but Ashkenazy transmits us the essential and reminiscent echoes of Debussy 's La mer and obviously his Fourth Symphony through his intense performance. En Saga, in the glorious baton of Collins is simply unsurpassed, but this version is mercurial and very propulsive. Luonotar, Op. 70 is an exquisite version.But what it is really worthy to remark is this sense of full aristocratic and committed approach; the horns, woods and strings of this Orchestra are pure gold. A colossal artistic triumph, and perhaps the major musical achievement of Ashkenazy as conductor, until this date.Horst Stein conducted a very heartfelt performance of this superb musical treasure of Sibelius: The Four Legends are performed in just few opportunities. However, Erik Tuxen made a historical register in the early Fifties with the Royal Danish that still belong to the most prominent achievement ever made of this mythical work.Pohjola 's Daughter has serious rivals: Koussevitzky and Toscanini and the night-Ride and Sunrise found in Essa Pekka Salonen a distinguished interpreterIn sum, an album to be collected, because in just two CD's for Sibelius newcomers constitutes a notable contribution and a very complete approach to the work of this noted composer: the most conspicuous and beloved musical son of Finland: Jean Sibelius.

With some composers, it seems that when it is a matter of writing symphonies, the music is a little graver, a little rhetorical, perhaps even a little long-winded and heavy-footed; but when such a composer turns to symphonic poems, or dances/ballet, the music is more imaginative, lighter in spirit and surer of foot, or even in some cases, just plain more inspired.While Sibelius managed to write brilliant and engaging music in both "spheres," there are times when I feel [parts of] the symphonies are a little ruminative, a shade too self-absorbed ... and it is then that I find the tone-poems - in which he often, simply, sang, and sang for the sheer joy of singing - especially welcome.This recording is one of those re-issues, which were originally two separate releases; so we have two different conductors, and two different orchestras, to discuss.In general, I am not mad about Ashkenazy as a conductor; and in a sense, this recording is no exception ... I don't walk away thinking, "Wow, what a great conductor." But he is certainly a competent musician, and he does a creditable job here; the Philharmonia sounds fine for the most part. The brass are a little edgier in "Finlandia" than I quite like; and towards the end, the timpani are a little too wild. But on the whole, neither "Finlandia" nor the Karelia Suite is done any great hurt on the Ashkenazy half of this set.The bright gem on this disc is "Luonnotar," a restless folk-ballad for soprano and orchestra. Elisabeth Söderström is splendid here. "Tapiola" and "En Saga" come across well, too.Not a disc that you walk away saying, "Wow, what a great conductor"; but, "Wow, what great music."The other disc is Horst Stein leading L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. Any composer might design to follow Sibelius' example here: the program is "Night-Ride and Sunrise," "Pohjola's Daughter," and the four "Legends from the Kalevala" (including the well-loved, and often separately-peformed, "Swan of Tuonela"). Seventy-one minutes of music, and not a dull moment from start to finish.

Before I launch into my review, I would like to make it clear that I do not actually have this album. I do, however, have two other albums of Ashkenazy/Philharmonia that are not listed on Amazon, which include the works Symphony No. 4, Luonuotar, Finlandia (twice), Karelia Suite, Tapiola, and En Saga.Ashkenazy conducts Sibelius better than anyone else I have heard. Under his baton, the music is more exciting, more colorful, and far more alive than I have heard it elsewhere. His interpretation of Finlandia is the only one that I will listen to; nothing else even compares. These are recordings that I would trust to the ends of the earth.Ashkenazy's instrument for the recordings I refer to is the incredible Philharmonia Orchestra of London. They are well up to the task, technically, musically, and sonically. Every section is filled with color. The strings are beautiful and lush (with VERY powerful bassi), winds have a very dark sound with much more presence than I often hear elsewhere, and brass are more alive, have more blend, and are more together than virtually anyone else I have heard - certainly more so than anyone else I've heard play Sibelius.I highly recommend all recordings of Sibelius by Ashkenazy with the Philharmonia Orchestra, without reservation.

Although I'm not a Sibelius expert, I would wholeheartedly recommend this disc to anyone looking for a collection of his tone poems. In the other versions of Finlandia I own, they come across as concert lollipop performances, here it is performed with full bloodied fervour complete with rasping brass and a relentless pace in the allegros, whilst the 'hymn' sections are treated with passion and no artificial sentimentality. You get the impression that Ashkenazy, who has spent many years in Iceland, really feels an afinity with this Scandinavian music. The Karelia Suite is also well performed, albeit with less brio.I was not familiar with the other pieces although I'd heard odd moments here and there, I must say on the whole I am very impressed despite the fact a few years ago I would have found some of them too modern in form. The orchestration in Luonnotar for example is beautiful, and while some pieces remind me a little too much of film scores in places (Tapiola for one) there is so much to admire here. On the second disc Pohjola's Daughter and The Swan of Tuonela are my favourites, but both discs are full of compelling music. Unlike some other reviewers I cannot draw a distinction between the quality of conducting between Ashkenazy on disc one or Stein on disc two. Recording quality in both is very high, and is very similar despite disc one being digital and disc two analogue.For me this disc represented outstanding value and I hope others who are so far only familiar with a few of Sibelius' works (Finlandia, Karelia, or the Sky at Night theme tune) venture like me into exploring further.

Really enjoying this, just wish I'd bought it years ago.

Sibelius at his best, stirring music to conduct your imaginary orchestra to.

Very good recording

Dos CDs (generosamente llenos) con poemas sinfónicos de Sibelius distribuidos como sigue:CD 1 Finlandia, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 26 (14:34); Karelia Suite, for orchestra, Op. 11 (36:22); Luonnotar (The Spirit of Nature), tone poem for voice & orchestra, Op. 70 (13:51); Tapiola, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 112 (6:18); En Saga, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 9 (19:42). Vladimir Ashkenazy dirige la Philharmonia Orchestra con Elisabeth Söderström (soprano)CD 2 Night Ride & Sunrise (Öinen ratsastus ja auringonnousu), symphonic poem for orchestra, Op. 55 (14:34); Pohjola's Daughter (Pohjolan tytär), symphonic fantasy for orchestra, Op. 49 (13:17); Lemminkäinen Suite: Four Legends from the Kalevala, for orchestra, Op. 22 (43:14) Horst Stein dirige L'Orchestre de la Suisse RomandeDesde el punto de vista de la ejecución orquestal estamos de enhorabuena. La OSR en el CD 2 (grabado entre 1972 y 1980) se comporta como una orquesta de la primera liga por su virtuosismo demoníaco, lo que que indica que algo cambió en Ginebra desde los tiempos de Ansermet. La Orquesta Philharmonia (1981 a 1986) también se encuentra en la cúspide de sus considerables poderes.Desde el punto de vista sonoro, raramente una producción de este tipo (distintos directores, distintos tiempos, distintas orquestas) ha sonado tan extraordinaria y uniformemente bien, como si se tratara de grabaciones recientes, con timbales prominentes, metales mordientes, bajos que alimentan, cuerda meliflua y nebulosa a momentos y potente y brillante a otros y vientos que tocan con abandono poético en un escenario sonoro amplio, detallado y profundo y eso ocurre en ambos CDs, más colorido tímbrico en el originalmente analógico CD2 y un avance marginal en claridad de texturas en las grabaciones digitales de Ashkenazy (CD 1).'Pohjola's Daughter' y 'Night Ride and Sunrise' reciben interpretaciones inspiradas e idiomáticas. 'Kalevala Legends' es la gran interpretación del CD2 y revela a un Stein como intérprete magistral de Sibelius, apasionado y muscular. Vladimir Ashkenazy y la Philharmonia interpretan 'Finlandia' y 'En Saga' con poderío, brillantez y mucha energía, su Valse triste te pone en trance y las otros poemas sinfónicos cuentan con la magistral colaboración de Elisabeth Söderström en Luonnotar. ¡Una fiesta sibeliana!