Sibelius Sym/Sakari/IcelandSO/Recommendation


Finnish conductor Petri Sakari has conducted all 7 Sibelius sym's with the very highly talented Iceland S.O. Just listen to the opening to sym #4, that alone is worth the purchase. That same fine conducting, orchestral and soloist performance is throughout the entire 7 symphonies. Upon some comparisions of Barbirolli (second recording), Segerstam, Sanderling, I found the Halle with Barbirolli to offer great enjoyment. Barbirolli's recording I would describe as "mystical" in nature, not to be fully comprehended no matter how many times you listen to them, always something unique to hear, again due to the high talents of the soloists. The 1960's Halle must have had well seasoned "old-timers" from the Halle's early days. With the Barbirolli set you get various other well performed incidential music, tone poems, all a must to own as well. Onto Sakari/Iceland's recording. Sakari's tempo brings an exciting vitaltiy to these symphonies, and the Iceland does not let him down, with a sense of organic unity and intergration. With this Naxos set you get the Tempest 1&2, as well an excellent recording of the Kullervo with Panula/Turka P.O. On the Sakari/Iceland recording on Chandos of Pohjola's Daughter and Ensaga, there is some problems here. Barbirolli's Pohjola is again a must to hear. I place both recordings in the "must-have" category.
tweekerman
I believe Baxter did so. Said he felt the Iceland, though good, did not offer the "big-band finesse" like the Berlin, and other major orchestras. Have to say alot of other recordings keep me within the concert hall, whereas with the Iceland I feel transported to the "Land of Sibelius", place and time lose their presence. Like all folk composers, especially with Grieg, Dvorak, the music should not have the "refined"(concert-hall) sound that Baxter mentioned. One should "see the land and sense the air".
Yeah greg, I did all those sibelius recordings with the Iceland S.O. Interesting to hear the commentary. I just saw this spanish movie with scenes of Finland, the Laplands. Man, is it beautiful up there. I agree with Tweek on some levels about capturing the earthiness of things, but on the other hand- Sibelius was one modern, sophisticated, complex music writing son of a gun. It's a tough balancing act. After your last review, I listened to the 4th several times.
I'm really interested in the Barbirolli, have never heard it.
Make sure you get the second recording by Barbirolli/Halle, its around $50. You get the 7 sym's + some other great works, well worth the money.
Oooops, sorry Buxter (not bAxter as I worte above). The Barbirolli/Halle, as Tweeker notes. Give the 2nd a listen too -- it's one of the strong points in the "package". Cheers