Search - Jean Sibelius, Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra :: Symphonies Nos 1 & 6

Receives my highest recommendation!

Levinson Landsman Fan | Harrisburg Pennsylvania | 06/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of Sibelius Symphony No. 1 has everything that other performances lack, with the possible exception of Osmo Vanska/Lahti Symphony. I'm speaking mostly about the performance of the 2nd movement: one of the better, more serious performances of the movement. Much more involving than the readings of Davis or Ormandy. A possible comparison to this one and the Vanska recording would be the Bernstein/Vienna Philharmonic recording, one of the most profound recordings of the entire symphony. Go for this one, though, if you want a comparison to Vanska or Bernstein/Vienna of the second movement. You won't be sorry."

A Mostly Very Fine Bargain

Moldyoldie | Motown, USA | 06/17/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The big sound of the Berlin Philharmonic lends itself well to the often cited "Tchaikovskian" qualities of the Sibelius First Symphony. Karajan elicits all the appropriate Romantic flourishes and the orchestra's lush strings only add to the aura. The interpretation sounds very similar to that of one of my two favorites in this work, Ashkenazy/Philharmonia/Decca (Bernstein/VPO/DG is the other), though I think Ashkenazy benefits from a slightly more vivid and detailed recording. However, if you like to hear the prominent tympani loud, proud, and almost in your face, this Karajan recording is for you! Personally, I found the tympani a bit overwhelming on first listen through my stock computer speakers (I should know better!), but later hearing it through headphones brings about a more comfortable orchestral balance and realistic soundstage. An unfortunate technical glitch pops up at around 3:40 of the fourth movement: During a high-pitched massed violin fortissimo, there's an unmistakable digital artifact sounding much like a slow ripping of duct tape -- quite disconcerting!



The Sixth Symphony is a personal favorite; I could probably listen to any competent performance and enjoy it. This is certainly no exception as Karajan and company have the measure of this work and bring it home in a very satisfying fashion. Here, however, is where the big sound of the Berliners probably works somewhat against it. In my opinion, the best performances of the Sixth evoke an intimate portrayal of nature's unfolding wonders and one's personal kinship to it in the face of life's ephemerality. To the slightest detriment of this end, the rich Berlin strings, beautiful as they sound, are so salient here as to often sublimate the gentle woodwinds, which ideally should often be heard dancing over the strings instead of seemingly vying with them -- it's merely a consideration of orchestral balance. This is especially in evidence during the tick-tock rhythm of the strings in the delightful poco vivace third movement. I realize the foregoing is a very personal and nitpicky consideration, but Colin Davis on LSO Live does comes closer to my ideal in the Sixth and Osmo Vänskä on Bis virtually nails it!



Sibelius: Finlandia/Karelia Suite/The Symphonies Nos. 1, 2 & 4

Leonard Bernstein Conducts Sibelius (Collectors Edition)

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7"

Sibelius Symphony Numbers 1 & 6

Michael J. Cook | Skokie, IL | 09/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sibelius Symphony 1 has the most intricate orchestration of his pieces--more like Mahler than Tchaikovsky. Von Karajan--who was admired by the composer for his interpreations of his music--gives a beautifully paced interpreation of the First. The Sixth is darker, but the playing by the Berlin Philharmonic captures the listener's attention quickly!"