- Audio CD (April 27 1999)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: RCA
- ASIN: B00000IFOG
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #110,460 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Details |
Track Listings
| 1. Karelia Suite, Op. 11: Intermezzo |
| 2. Karelia Suite, Op. 11: Ballade |
| 3. Karelia Suite, Op. 11: Alla marcia |
| 4. The Ocanides, Op. 73 |
| 5. Finlandia, Op. 26 |
| 6. Valse Triste |
| 7. Tapiola, Op. 112 |
| 8. Nightride & Sunrise, Op. 55 |
Product Description
From Amazon.co.uk
Don't be fooled by Sir Colin Davis's strangely lumpen way with the Karelia Suite's opening "Intermezzo"; things soon settle down, and the concluding "Alla marcia" is paced to perfection. The Oceanides (that haunting Mediterranean seascape from 1914--and the only symphonic poem by Sibelius not to have a Finnish inspiration) is given a masterly, meticulously etched reading, while the indestructible Finlandia glowers intimidatingly, the LSO's superb brass section audibly revelling in Sibelius's darkly defiant scoring. The equally popular Valse triste is powerfully elegiac, and is followed by the chillingly intense evocation of the dusky Far North that is Tapiola--an imposing interpretation, to be sure, but one which by no means supersedes Davis's earlier Boston account (on Philips Duo). Similarly, Nightride and Sunrise is good, without banishing memories of Kurt Sanderling (a magnificent reading on Berlin Classics), Eugen Jochum (DG The Originals) or Sir Adrian Boult (on an Omega Classics reissue). Three different venues were used for sessions spanning some six years (1992-1998), but the sound quality is commendably consistent. Anyone who has been collecting this partnership's Sibelius cycle for RCA needn't hesitate. --Andrew Achenbach
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Enjoyable,
By
This review is from: Sibelius: Shorter Orchestral Works (Audio CD)
Davis has acquired a considerable reputation in recent years as a conductor of Sibelius works. This is a very nice recording of some of Sibelius' shorter orchestral works. The performances feature the lush romanticism of Sibelius work but without exaggerating the tempi or balance of the orchestra. Others may prefer more dramatic renditions but these are fine performances of enjoyable works. A nice feature is that the disc includes both very well known and less frequently performed pieces.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent recording,
This review is from: Sibelius: Shorter Orchestral Works (Audio CD)
This disc features an eclectic group of works: on one hand, three well-known, instantly likeable compositions which serve as a nice introduction to the music of Jean Sibelius (Karelia suite, Finlandia, Valse triste); on the other, three elaborate and multi-layered pieces that, although not too hard to appreciate at first, reveal most of their secrets after several listens (Oceanides, Tapiola, Nightride and Sunrise). Davis obtains beautiful sonic textures from the LSO: this is one of those discs that beg to be listened to with headphones. The recording ends with the musical adventure that is Nightride and Sunrise - a piece which, even if you've listened to it many times, remains unpredictable. From the first minute to the last, this is an excellent disc.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Karelia -- where's the snap?,
By
This review is from: Sibelius: Shorter Orchestral Works (Audio CD)
I just bought the old Davis/BSO Sibelius symphonies, based on reputation. I should have listened to them first. The performances feel lifeless, and I feel the same way about his Karelia on this recording. Do yourself a favor -- get Sir Charles MacKerras' recording of the 2nd Symphony + Karelia + Finlandia, and listen just to the Intermezzo from Karelia and compare it to this, and you will understand what I am talking about. And if you want to compare Davis to someone who takes the Intermezzo at something like his tempo, try the old Barbirolli recording with the Halle Orchestra. Even though Barbirolli is little, if any, faster, there's life in his music-making that is totally absent in Davis' version.
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