Sibelius: Orchestral Works

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
This budget-priced disc contains some very fine performances. Eugene Ormandy and Leonard Bernstein were both dedicated Sibelius interpreters, and their approaches are both complementary and shrewdly highlighted in this collection. Bernstein is represented by a single work: Pohjola's Daughter. This is not only Sibelius's finest tone poem, but this performance has also long been regarded as the best available. Ormandy, on the other hand, selected the kind of Romantic, colorful music that he always conducted with special authority, and the Philadelphia Orchestra makes some gorgeous sounds, particularly in the Valse Triste and The Swan of Tuonela. A bargain. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Prld To Carmen - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
I Pagliacci: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
Notre Dame: Interlude - Budapest SO/Michael Halasz
Hansel & Gretel: Dream Pantomime - Slovak RSO/Peter Breiner
Manon Lescaut: Intermezzo - BRT PO/Alexander Rahbari
Tausend Und Eine Nacht: Intermezzo - Sslovak State PO/Christian Pollack
Thais: Meditation - Janos Selmeczi
Carmen: Act 3: Entr'acte - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
Pelleas & Melisande: Sicilienne - NSO Of Ireland/John Georgiadis
The Song: Interlude - Helsingborg SO/Okko Kamu
Karelia Ste: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Kenneth Schermerhorn
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle - Slovak State PO
L'Amico Fritz: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Ondrej Lenard
La Traviata: Act 1: Prld - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
La Traviata: Act 3: Prld - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
La Gioconda: Dance Of The Hours - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Ondrej Lenard

Customer Reviews:

Bang for your buck.......2007-05-23

Lots of good music on this compilation. Originally bought it with just one piece in mind and ended up discovering numerous tracks that I enjoy as well. The music quality is well-above average and for less than $10, you can't beat it.

Nicely thought out program..........2007-02-09

This one disc contains many of the most beloved orchestral excerpts from opera(Sorry, no Wagner). They are competently played by a variety of NAXOS's usual roster of artists and orchestras. As I have stated before!
The NAXOS producers seem to include not so typical repetoire on most of their compilations. The lush interlude from Schmidts "Notre Dame" is a gem. Strauss's little known "1001 Nights" gives us a Viennese twist on the Arabian fantasy. The gushing brass of the introduction to Stenhamar's interlude to the "Song" leaves us wanting for more. Sure, you don't get Karajan or Bernstein like performances, but the disc as a whole is worth the budget price asked. Recording quality varies from track to track, good to excellent.

A Great Intro to Some of Opera's Orchestral Moments.......2003-12-20

Some of opera's (or related stage works') best orchestral moments are included on this CD. Starting with the joyous Prelude to Carmen and ending with the tour de force of the Dance of the Hours, this CD has it covered, at least as well as any near eighty minute CD can. If you are not familiar with classical music, this is a great opener. None of the tracks are "hard" to listen to- they just gracefully take you off to another world. For beginners make sure you listen to the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffman, Dance of the Hours from La Giocanda [I promise you, you will know it], and Meditation from Thais [no matter how supposedly "overplayed" it is, it is still one of the most beautiful songs], and Prelude to Carmen. For beginners and seasoned music aficionados [which I do not pretend to be], I beg you to listen to Interlude from Notre Dame by Schmidt. This is one of the most surprising songs on the entire CD. Very nice and every bit as enjoyable as the most popular ones. This piece is not often found on other CDs; thank goodness Naxos included it. For those with massive CD collections the few dollars you spend on this CD is worth Interlude from Notre Dame, and for the beginner, you will not find a better group of famous and not-so-famous songs.

Sibelius: Orchestral Works (Finlandia, Vlase triste, Swan of Tuonela, Le Cygne de Tuonela, Karelia Suite, En Saga, Pohjola's Daughter)

Average customer rating:

Finlandia de coleccion...
The best recording of Finlandia
A favorite for at least 7 years
Buy this CD
Great Sibelius!

Sibelius: Orchestral Works (Finlandia, Vlase triste, Swan of Tuonela, Le Cygne de Tuonela, Karelia Suite, En Saga, Pohjola's Daughter)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Berlioz: Harold In Italy
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique Op14; Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain

ASIN: B0000027XX
Release Date: 1992-11-17

Tracks:

Finlandia, Op. 26
Valse Triste, Op. 44 No.1
The Swan Of Tuonela, Op. 22 No. 3
Karelia Suite, Op. 11: I. Intermezzo
Karelia Suite, Op. 11: II. Ballade
Karelia Suite, Op. 11: Alla Marcia
Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49
En Saga, Op. 9

Amazon.com essential recording

This budget-priced disc contains some very fine performances. Eugene Ormandy and Leonard Bernstein were both dedicated Sibelius interpreters, and their approaches are both complementary and shrewdly highlighted in this collection. Bernstein is represented by a single work: Pohjola's Daughter. This is not only Sibelius's finest tone poem, but this performance has also long been regarded as the best available. Ormandy, on the other hand, selected the kind of Romantic, colorful music that he always conducted with special authority, and the Philadelphia Orchestra makes some gorgeous sounds, particularly in the Valse Triste and The Swan of Tuonela. A bargain. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Finlandia de coleccion..........2005-01-14

Es imposible no ser un admirador de Eugene Ormandy y la Orquesta de Filadelfia, si te encuentras frente a estas grabaciones.
Sibelius es un compositor de elite, genial y sus obras estan destinadas a impresionarnos ya sea en la grandeza de lo patriotico, en la finura sentimental de sus conciertos o en la magia sin igual de sus fantasias y leyendas. Pero nada de esto seria reconocido si no esta la magnificencia de un gran director y la perfeccion de una gran orquesta, y eso es lo que este CD contiene perfeccion y grandeza, Finlandia es completamente impresionante, grandiosa, me deja sin aliento, la mejor version, Karajan, Colin Davis y hasta Järvi quedan atras porque escucharan lo mejor de lo mejor.
Le siguen para impresionar la sutil y grandiosa En Saga, El vals triste, El cisne de Tuonela y la menos apreciada y por mi admirada suite Karelia, esta alla marcia es sublime.
Para añadir al conjunto el mas bien ponderado Leonard Bernstein se hace cargo de La hija de Pohjola en una gran version.
Es de Sibelius un CD imperdible con las mejores versiones disponibles de estas obras.

The best recording of Finlandia.......2003-09-22

This CD is really good.
All performances by E. Ormandy and his Philadelphia Orchestra, except Pohjola's Daughter. This symphonic poem performed by Bernstein and perhaps the best Sibelius recording of Bernstein (actually he recorded all symphonies with NYP)

Best tracks:

As it is, Ormandy's "Finlandia" is best (with Charles Mackerras' recording with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra).
What a music and what a interpretation?! The Sound of Philadephia is excellent on this from start to finish. Especially, I like that, the wind ensemble (especially brass) are amazing in "Allegro".

Valse triste is one of the best compositions by Sibelius, no doubt, and this performance is very effective, emotional...

Karelia is very good, especially Intermezzo (1st movement) is superb. This piece is short and pure. This is a tale about a haunting scene at Middle Age

In other words: this CD is very highly recommended

A favorite for at least 7 years.......2003-01-11

This CD was my first introduction to Sibelius outside of Finlandia, and what an introduction it was! Ormandy really knew how to get into this music, and it still contains the best Karelia suite I've heard. For some reason, the intermezzo and march are both taken too slowly on other recordings, but not here -- they are lively and spirited, full of energy.

Finlandia here is well done, though there are so many recordings of it I can't say there aren't better. I've certainly heard far worse. This recording of Valse Triste, is one of my favorites -- it starts on the faster side, but settles into a nice lyrical pace. The Swan of Tuonela is one of the few pieces I think needs to be stretched out as well as can be, and certainly here it's done well. I prefer a couple other, slower, ones, but this suits me fine as well.

This recording of Pohjola's Daughter, as noted, seems to be a favorite, at least at Sony -- I can think of no less than 4 individual CDs and three box sets with this recording. It's a very good read, though this is one piece I don't think I've ever heard a recording I don't like. This is the only piece on the disc with Bernstein/NYPO instead of Ormandy/PO, but that does not detract from it.

The gem of the CD, however, is the final piece, En Saga. It's the piece that in fact took longest to warm up to, but once I did I realized just how good a composer Sibelius was. And this recording is still tops in my book -- no other that I've heard takes it this fast (unlike many Essential Classics releases, there are no cuts anywhere on this CD, so the shortened time IS due to tempo here), and the wonderful melodic hooks and clashing harmonies all over this piece just light up under Ormandy's baton.

If there's any complaints, it's that the sound seems a bit odd. This is most noticable in Finlandia and Valse Triste, but the winds seem a bit more overbearing than normal. A minor complaint though, and in fact seems oddly appropriate in the Valse. I can safely recommend this disc, even if you already own the recording of Pohjola, to both Sibelius newbies and vets.

Buy this CD.......2002-03-31

I just bought around 10 classical CDs from amazon.com, and this one is the cheapest. However, to my great surprise, this is also the best one among them all. "Finlandia" is breathtakingly heavy yet beautiful, especially combined with the circumstances Sibelius had written them. You can almost touch and feel the snowy wilderness of Finland when you listen to this piece. Other tracks are also excellent. Highly recommended for any classical fans. (too sad I've ignored Sibelius before. I will start to collect all of his works thanks to this CD)

Great Sibelius!.......2000-02-06

I think that this Essential Classics collection by Sony is a good opportunity to get very fine music at a very low price. In this case thay have made a very attractive selection of music by Jean Sibelius. Apart from the Valse Triste, which no matter how many times I hear it, I always find it wonderful, this CD has many other pieces which are very interesting, like the superb Swan of Tuonela or the Karelia Suite. The performance is very good, and Ormandy conducts this pieces very well. If you don't know Sibelius' music yet, I would suggest that you buy this CD. At this price, it is very hard to find a better one.

Average customer rating:

Absolutely Superb!!
A little comment !
Let's call it fifty/fifty.
Brilliant #2...The Remainder of These 2 CD's are Worthless
Not essential for Sibelians

Sibelius: Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Zoltán Kodály: Háry János Suite / Dances of Galánta & Marosszék / Children's Choruses - Iván Fischer / Budapest Festival Orchestra

ASIN: B0000029YV
Release Date: 1997-11-18

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: Andante, ma non troppo; Allegro energico - National Philharmonic Orchestra
Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: Andante (man non troppo lento) - National Philharmonic Orchestra
Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: Scherzo. Allegro - National Philharmonic Orchestra
Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 39: Finale (Quasi una fantasia). Andante - National Philharmonic Orchestra
The Swan Of Tuonela, From Lemminkainen Suite, Op. 22, No. 3 - Michael Winfield
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: Allegro moderato - Zino Francescatti
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: Adagio di molto - Zino Francescatti
Violin Concerto In D Minor, Op. 47: Allegro, ma non tanto - Zino Francescatti

Tracks:

Finlandia, Op. 26 - London Symphony Orchestra
Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 43: Allegretto - New York Philharmonic
Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 43: Tempo Andante, ma rubato - New York Philharmonic
Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 43: Vivacissimo - New York Philharmonic
Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 43: Finale: Allegro moderato - New York Philharmonic
Valse Triste From Kuolema, Op. 44 - Philadelphia Orchestra
Karelia Suite, Op. 11: Intermezzo. Moderato - Philadelphia Orchestra
Karelia Suite, Op. 11: Ballade. Tempo di menuetto - Un poco piu lento - Philadelphia Orchestra
Karelia Suite, Op. 11: Alla marcia. Moderato - Philadelphia Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Superb!!.......2005-11-04

An excellant recording of the most popular pieces by this wonderful composer. The performance of each and every piece is truly stunning and the sound quality of the recording---excellant. A very good introduction to Sibelius.

A little comment !.......2004-08-31

The Second Symphony is a real issue of that overwhelming who was Thomas Schippers . Even if i do not agree with the timings due I consider extremely contemplative , it has personality and expressiveness .
The jewel of the crown is the first symphony , one of the best in the market .
The Sibelius violin concerto remains in the top list of the ten greatets performances in any age . Warmth and poetic rendition .
Finlandia is irrelevant .
So consider this buying worthable for the expossed reasons.

Let's call it fifty/fifty........2003-06-12

Like some of the other reviewers, I am inclined also to rate this compilation mixed fare. I would consider purchase of this two cd set only if it was available at a bargain price. To begin with, I find Thomas Schippers' Sibelius Second hard to take seriously. It seems to be an exercise in theatrics more than anything else. On the other hand, Stokowski's Sibelius First is one of the best performances this work has ever been given. He demonstrates tautness and clarity and an attention to detail that is extremely satisfying. There is also boldness and adventuressness, and not least of all a very pleasing sense of atmosphere. My only disappointment comes in the second movement, where in the quieter pastoral sections I find Stokowski's pace a little too slow, though I still appreciate the attractiveness he displays. In the Sibelius Violin Concerto, Francescatti and Bernstein offer some pleasing moments, though the idiomatic and atmospheric elements are a little shortchanged. Despite this, Francescatti realizes some nicely expressive tonal shadings and accents. A different sort of performance from Heifetz and Oistrakh, but one that stands well on its own merit. Otherwise, I find Hickox's Finlandia presentation somewhat wayward. We should have been given Ormandy's solid and moving version with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, although I could have done without his views here on Valse Triste and the Karelia Suite, especially the latter, which would have benefitted from a livelier, more atmospheric approach.

Brilliant #2...The Remainder of These 2 CD's are Worthless.......2001-02-06

Sony should have re-released only the Schippers on a single CD. This is the most brilliant reading of this difficult symphony I have ever heard. As for #1...Stokowski hit his high point as a conductor with the pap from "Fantasia"...it was all downhill for him after that. The best recording of Finlandia is Sir Colin Davis/Boston Symphony. Richard Hickox is a nullity and his conducting shows that in ample display with this reading. As for Eugene Ormandy and his Karelia...Stravinsky said it best..."Ormandy is an ideal conductor of Strauss waltzes." The Violin Concerto is serviceable, but nothing special...Good playing by Francescatti, but an indifferent accompaniment by Bernstein and his charges.

Not essential for Sibelians.......2000-04-04

I have heard countless recordings of the Sibelius symphonies, so from my perspective as a listener and as a conductor, I would recommend other recordings of these works. Firstly, the tempi in the recordings of the 1st and 2nd Symphonies are generally wrong. Sibelius was one of those composers who was particular about interpretations of his music, with only a slight flexibility. What Stokowski achieves, on the other hand, is a beautiful musical and emotional thread, as he always did. He brought out interesting harmonic balances and shadings in the "Swan of Tuonela" recording that many other recordings of the work lack. The Swan is obviously music that is perfectly suited to Stokowski's typical poetic treatment and wizardry. Zino Francescatti's recording of the Violin Concerto is actually quite good. Bernstein's accompaniment is lovingly dedicated. Bernstein ignores less of Sibelius's tempi here than he usually did. Francescatti is really in top form in this recording, and even though I'm not a big fan of mid-20th century styles of violin playing, I think that Francescatti displays a great deal of integrity, coupled with an obvious Mediterranean passion. This aesthetic is not too far removed from Sibelius's intent, since the composer frequently visited Italy around the time he wrote the work (The 2nd Symphony was actually composed in Italy). However, there's much of the Northern temperament in this work as well.

The recording of the 2nd Symphony is just wrong. Thomas Schippers had little understanding of Sibelius's music, in my opinion. The tempi are mostly incorrect, and the orchestral playing here is dull.

Tracks:

Three Preludes: Allegro Ben Ritmato E Deciso
Three Preludes: Andante Con Moto E Poco Rubato
Three Preludes: Allegro Ben Ritmato E Deciso
Eight Waltzes, Op. 39: I (Tempo Giusto)
Eight Waltzes, Op. 39: II
Eight Waltzes, Op. 39: III
Eight Waltzes, Op. 39: IV
Eight Waltzes, Op. 39: V
Eight Waltzes, Op. 39: VI (Vivace)
Eight Waltzes, Op. 39: VII
Eight Waltzes, Op. 39: VIII
Little Suite From The Tempest, Op.109: I - Prospero
Little Suite From The Tempest, Op.109: II - Ariel
Little Suite From The Tempest, Op.109: III - Miranda
Little Suite From The Tempest, Op.109: IV - Caliban's Song
Three Postcards: L'ange Verrier
Three Postcards: Faunesse Dansante
Three Postcards: Les Noces Du Duc De Joyeuse
Madrigal
Sonatine No. 1, Op. 67: I - Allegro
Sonatine No. 1, Op. 67: II - Largo
Sonatine No. 1, Op. 67: III - Allegro Moderato
Gigue, K574
Bassoonists' Holiday
I Got Rhythm
I'm In The Mood For Love
Caravan
Oh! Darling
Tango (1940)
Tango (1995)
Youkali
Tango (1984)
Azure

Customer Reviews:

Even my kid likes this!.......2005-11-07

This is an amazing collection of songs, all performed with such skill that even my 8-year-old son likes this CD. Brahms and Beatles, Mozart and Ellington, there is something here for everyone. And thank you, thank you, thank you for "Bassoonist's Holiday."

Bassoon Me!.......2004-08-09

I delight in the bassoon! What a unique and great sound, throaty and thrillingly coarse, yet soaring to sound at times like sax, like oboe, like cello, like a bunch of bassoonatics!

This is delightful collection of musical styles played by this innovative and talented quartet. Choosing to select pieces that are not typically of the bassoon repertoire, we go from Waltz to Gershwin to Broadway to Motzart to Lennon/McCartnye to Sibelius to most of us unknowns such as Mitchell Clarke to Duke Ellington.

All played with passion and gusto and excellent tonality, phrasing and tempo.

Bassoon Me again!

Brilliant Bassoonastics.......2003-09-27

This would have to be the best bassoon ensemble cd on the market. The arrangements are stylish and clever, and the performances brilliant! Fraser Jackson must be the most accomplished contrabassoonist I have ever head. This cd is a must for any bassoonists collection be you amateur or proffessional.

OUTSTANDING QUARTET.......2002-04-14

This disc is really superb!!! Not only is the playing at an extremely high level by the group, the arrangements are also outstanding. The Brahms is abolutely beautiful. The group goes from lightning fingers bravura to sweet soulful singing. It is a joy to listen to again and again.

Simply fantastic!.......2001-10-26

I simply love the Caliban Quartet! They breath new life into bassoons! The way they bring out the music is simply magical. Not only do they sound good, their technical abilities are simply amazing!

Sibelius: Spirit of Nature - Songs, Cantatas and Orchestral Works

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Sibelius: Spirit of Nature - Songs, Cantatas and Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Seriously Sibelius
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ASIN: B000F6ZIDS
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Average customer rating:

Family Circle Weekday Soothers

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003G4Q
Release Date: 1996-08-13

Tracks:

Peer Gynt Ste No. 1: Morning - The Philadelphia Orch/Eugene Ormandy
Fant On 'Greensleeves' - The Philadelphia Orch/Eugene Ormandy
Pavane For A Dead Princess - Boston SO/Charles Munch
Con De Aranjuez: 2nd Movt - Julian Bream
Peer Gynt Ste No. 1: Anitra's Dance - The Philadelphia Orch/Eugene Ormandy
Peer Gynt Ste No. 2: Solvejg's Song - The Philadelphia Orch/Eugene Ormandy
Adagio - Boston SO/Charles Munch
Valse Triste - Finnish Radio Orch/Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - National PO/James Levine
Gymnopedie I And II - The Philharmonia Orch/Eugene Ormandy
Prld To The Afternoon Of A Faun - The Philadelphia Orch/Eugene Ormandy

Sibelius: Works for Violin & Orchestra [Hybrid SACD]

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Sibelius: Works for Violin & Orchestra [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bach: Violin Concertos

ASIN: B000G73SEM
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Sibelius: Symphonies, Violin Concerto, Orchestral Works

Average customer rating:

Underpowered
Sibelius revisited

Sibelius: Symphonies, Violin Concerto, Orchestral Works
Sibelius , Julian Rachlin , Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra , and Lorin Maazel
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000079451
Release Date: 2002-11-19

Tracks:

I. Andante Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico
II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento)
III. Scherzo. Allegro
IV. Finale (Quasi Una Fantasia). Andante
Adagio - Vivacissimo - Adagio
Allegro Molto Moderato - Allegro Moderato - Presto - Adagio - Largamente Molto - Affettuoso

Tracks:

I. Allegretto
II. Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato
III. Vivacissimo
IV. Finale. Allegro Moderato
I. Allegro Molto Moderato
II. Allegretto Moderato
III. Poco Vivace
IV. Allegro Molto - Allegro Assai - Doppio Piu Lento

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andantino Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto
III. Moderato - Allegro (Ma Non Tanto)
Andante Molto Sostenuto - Meno Moderato
I. Intermezzo. Moderato
II. Ballade. Tempo Di Menuetto - Un Poco Piu Lento
III. Alla Marcia. Moderato
Lento
Andante Sostenuto - Allegro Moderato - Allegro

Tracks:

I. Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagio
II. Allegro Molto Vivace
III. Il Tempo Largo
IV. Allegro
I. Tempo Molto Moderato - Allegro Moderato
II. Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto
III. Allegro Molto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio Di Molto
III. Allegro, Ma Non Tanto
Lento Assai
En Saga, Op.9

Customer Reviews:

Underpowered.......2004-03-24

Chronic and severe constipation. That's the only reason I can imagine that Maazel conducted Sibelius like this with the Pittsburgh Symphony. His earlier cycle with the Vienna Philharmonic is still available and is far more vital--at least in it Maazel says something about the music, though I've never been as impressed even with that cycle as a lot of people. It has murky sound to boot. The present issue has glorious sound--it may be the best *sounding* Sibelius cycle I've ever heard--but Maazel says nothing in this music, and he says it so slowly and de-lib-er-ate-ly. I won't take the symphonies one by one, because they're all played exactly the same way and I have the same thing to say about all of them. At times it almost sounds like a rehearsal with Maazel having the orchestra play slowly to illustrate a point. I'm not unsympathetic to an "objective" or "bird's eye" view of the music--indeed, I feel this is how it works best. I don't think, after the 3rd Symphony, Sibelius was really a "Romantic" and I don't like conductors who treat him as a Finnish Tchaikovsky. But objective doesn't have to mean devoid of personality--listen to Boulez at his best.

What I miss in the Maazel performances is any understanding of build, of structure. Phrases are unconnected. When a phrase or section returns later in the movement, it is played the same way as the first time; there is no metamorphosis--fatal in Sibelius. And the tempi are incredibly slow. Some white-hot sections of the 7th, some of the most intense music ever written, are played with underemphasized accents, moderate dynamics and a dragging, plodding feeling. One can be "icy hot," one can even be "icy cold," but Maazel just sounds *bored,* despite having the wonderful Pittsburgh Symphony at his disposal. This is why classical music has started to die--bored conductors slogging their way through the repertoire. *Why* did this guy think he was a sure bet for Karajan's old job?

The best of the symphonies is the 6th and the first movement of the 1st, where some clarity that is rarely heard is introduced, but even here there are better recordings around. The violin concerto is interesting because of the soloist, but that's not enough to save the work. Maazel sounds like he is just beating time.

Sony's packaging is frustrating, as usual. They now put boxed CD sets in paper sleeves instead of those big, largely empty plastic cases that take up lots of room on your shelf. That's fine, but then they put all the sleeves *into a thick, largely empty cardboard box that takes up the same amount of room that the plastic cases would have!* Does anyone over there have a brain?!? There are no liner notes of any sort, just a booklet with track listings and timings.

Sibelius revisited.......2003-01-08

These performances sound natural. Maazel has a direct, objective manner in Sibelius and the natural, open sounding recording of the Pittsburgh Orchestra is suited to the music.

Sibelius's symphonies aren't `theological' (like Bruckner's and, in a different way Mahler's too). These landscapes are unpopulated, often inhospitable, bleak and cold. There are moments when the broad land, sea and skyscapes open out into music that seems to belong to the transcendent vastnesses of deep-space (especially in the 4th and 7th Symphony). Maazel's objective and patient approach is ideally suited to these enigmatic and inscrutable works. It communicates a raw, physical energy. It also seems to hold at its core a stillness; a still, silent centre around which musical planets move and coalesce.

There is a cogency about this cycle, a seamless consistency; widely varied scenes viewed from the same vantage-point.

The excellent performance of the Violin Concerto is a treasure! The soloist, Julian Rachlin, plays with breadth; a fluent, rhapsodic freedom and a wonderful vitality and bite. The recorded balance is ideal, the solo violin superbly `present' but not unnaturally forward.