Gibson conducting Sibelius

[visualnickmos]

Amongst a few of my teenage vinyl purchases which I collected from my parents during a recent visit to Kent (some of them never left home at the same time as I did over 30 years ago!) were two of Sibelius;

Symphony No 5 & Karelia Suite (Decca) LSO/Gibson

Symphony No 1 (CFP) SNO/Gibson.

On returning to France, I relistened to them after an interval of 35 years, but was particularly taken with No 5. So, I wondered if any of you Sibelius enthusiasts/experts could shed light on whether Gibson made two complete cycles, and what is the general view on his Sibelius.

Having said all that, I have 12 (!) Sibelius complete cycles already - and love them all.

[amateur51]

Would you mind if I extend this further to suggestions for a boxed set of SAG's recording to celebrate his life & achievements, visualnickmos?

[Northender]

As far as I'm aware, there's one complete cycle, on Chandos. I have a CD of his fine version of the Lemminkainen Legends. I saw him conduct the 5th in Croydon (with what was then the 'non-royal' SNO ) some 30 years ago - it was a pretty exciting performance. I think the general view is that he was a fine Sibelius conductor, but sadly under-recorded. Many years ago I had an LP of the 3rd symphony, which may have been on the old Saga label. I have but one complete cycle - the Ashkenasy - but that keeps me happy!

[visualnickmos]

By all means; is there a set already out there?

[salymap]

Amongst a few of my teenage vinyl purchases which I collected from my parents during a recent visit to Kent (some of them never left home at the same time as I did over 30 years ago!) were two of Sibelius;

Symphony No 5 & Karelia Suite (Decca) LSO/Gibson

Symphony No 1 (CFP) SNO/Gibson.

On returning to France, I relistened to them after an interval of 35 years, but was particularly taken with No 5. So, I wondered if any of you Sibelius enthusiasts/experts could shed light on whether Gibson made two complete cycles, and what is the general view on his Sibelius.

Having said all that, I have 12 (!) Sibelius complete cycles already - and love them all.

I still have that Gibson/Sibelius 5 and Karelia, purchased in 1963 and can recommend it.

[cloughie]

I still have that Gibson/Sibelius 5 and Karelia, purchased in 1963 and can recommend it.

From memory I think his Symphony output was Sym 3/7 SNO (Saga), 5 LSO (Decca), 1,2 &5 SNO (CFP), 1-7 SNO (Chandos), 2 RPO (Collins).

[Thomas Roth]

My first Sibelius-LP was the Gibson Karelia Overture, King ChristanII, Festivo, The Bard. Love it still.

[cloughie]

My first Sibelius-LP was the Gibson Karelia Overture, King ChristanII, Festivo, The Bard. Love it still.

Indeed it was good, originally on HQS then CFP. I think Gibson did most of the Orchestral bits on Chandos, including Leminkainen Legends or Suite whichever you prefer to call it (Them), plus other bits on other labels (CFP/Decca) as Sym fillers.
Also the Swan and Finlandia with the London Festival Orchestra (no doubt a contractual pseudonym for a big London orchestra).

[Gordon]

In case it helps here is some Decca, LSO and RPO discographic material on Sir Alexander Gibson conducting Sibelius. I don't have a discography for him or for the SNO. His recording career down South was started for Decca in 57 and continued sporadically until 67 with them before some EMI late 60s and then Collns in 89.

Sir Alexander Gibson’s recordings of Sibelius with LSO:

Symphony No.5 in E flat Op.82 and Karelia Op.11 : suite
Recorded by Decca for RCA
Recorded 9-10th February 1959 at Kingsway Hall by Kenneth Wilkinson. It was issued on a Decca CD 468 488 2 about 10 years ago, it could well be on an Australian Eloquence by now.

“London Festival” or New SO: the NSO was a scratch orchestra of London’s top principals that was formed predominantly for recording. It was an “old” orchestra in the sense that a band of that name had been known recording since 1909. Not to be confused with the National SO that was involved with Sidney Beer in 1944 when Decca introduced its FFRR system and had Dennis Brain as its principal horn.

Finlandia Op.26
Kuolema Op.44 : Valse Triste
Four Legends Op.22 : The Swan of Tuonela

Recorded 15th and 22nd June 1959 at Kingsway Hall by Alan Reeve of Decca for Reader’s Digest [sub-contracted by RCA]. This Finlandia and Swan were on a Chesky CD: Chesky CD42B.

and RPO
Symphony No 1
Finlandia
Karelia Suite
Swan of Tuonela

Recorded for Collins at St Johns Smith Square August 24th and 25th 1989

Legends
En Saga
Valse Triste
Symphony No 2
Karelia Overture

Recorded for Collins at Henry Wood Hall 5th to 8th September 1989

[pastoralguy]

I was lucky enough to hear Sir Alex and the SNO play Sibelius on many occasions in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. I vividly remember buying the Karelia Ovt, the King Christian the 2nd suite, Festive and Bard record at the SNO stand in 1978! Like Tom Roth I still play it and love the performances. I knew a couple of old SNO fiddle players who told me that they were recorded almost straight through with little chance for re-takes.

I've spoken many times about how Gibson (and Karajan!) were at the forefront of the Sibelius revival in the 60's when the great man was dismissed by many who really should have known better. I always feel that the SNO was better suited to the music of Sibelius with their rather 'lean' approach than the very 'plush' sound favoured by the Herbie and the Berlin Phil.

[pastoralguy]

There is also a recording of Prokofiev 5 recorded by Gibson and the SNO in late 1963 on the short lived 'Waverly' label. It's quite hard to come by now but occasionally comes up on eBay. It's worth having for a super picture of the Orchestra taken at the Usher Hall in 1963. Goodness knows what's happened to the master tapes! There are also some small pieces on 45 rpm discs also on Waverly. Very good performances!

[cloughie]

There is also a recording of Prokofiev 5 recorded by Gibson and the SNO in late 1963 on the short lived 'Waverly' label. It's quite hard to come by now but occasionally comes up on eBay. It's worth having for a super picture of the Orchestra taken at the Usher Hall in 1963. Goodness knows what's happened to the master tapes! There are also some small pieces on 45 rpm discs also on Waverly. Very good performances!

Waverley were taken over by EMI. Maybe they have them.

http://www.sol.co.uk/c/chrishamilton/SCOTTISHLPS.HTM

[amateur51]

Considering the high regard in which Sir Alexander Gibson is held among the membership, I wonder if anyone knows of a biography of him?

If not, surely he's a suitable subject while those who knew and worked with him are still around

[Curalach]

Considering the high regard in which Sir Alexander Gibson is held among the membership, I wonder if anyone knows of a biography of him?

If not, surely he's a suitable subject while those who knew and worked with him are still around

Ams, there was a biography of Alex by Conrad Wilson published in 1993 but nothing since then. It is long out of print but can be available second-hand.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alex-Authori.../dp/1851585745

[amateur51]

Ams, there was a biography of Alex by Conrad Wilson published in 1993 but nothing since then. It is long out of print but can be available second-hand.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alex-Authori.../dp/1851585745

Many thanks indeed, Curalach and thanks too for the link

In your opinion, is it time for a re-appraisal?