Favourite Sibelius cycle

[LMcD]

The only complete cycle I have is Ashkenazy/Philharmonia.
I have no fewer than 5 versions of the 5th - 3 on CD and 2 on my TV hard disc.

[cloughie]

Not part of a 'cycle' but in addition to the RPO 2nd, the Nixa Halle 5th with Barbirolli at the helm remains special to me as the first LP of the work I ever purchased (in its Pye Golden Guinea manifestation).

A ‘Testament’ to Sir John’s Sibelius!

[pastoralguy]

I agree there pg - reissue of EMI/CfPs has been inconsistent - slightly off the Sibelius topic - the Berglund Franck Symphony and Handley’s Debussy/Faure disc would be very welcome!

Hi Cloughie. The Berglund Franck Symphony was released in EMI's 'ICON' box set in 2013. Alas, mine is still wrapped in its plastic!

[mathias broucek]

Hi Cloughie. The Berglund Franck Symphony was released in EMI's 'ICON' box set in 2013. Alas, mine is still wrapped in its plastic!

Break it open, it’s an outstanding set....

[BBMmk2]

BBM, which Berglund?

Hmmm, I think , off hand, the earlier one.

[Barbirollians]

A ‘Testament’ to Sir John’s Sibelius!

The Sibelius 5 on that Testamrnt disc is a live account. The recording Bryn refers to will be in the big box but was released with his also very good Oye recording of the First Symphony on EMI Phoenixa.

[cloughie]

The Sibelius 5 on that Testamrnt disc is a live account. The recording Bryn refers to will be in the big box but was released with his also very good Oye recording of the First Symphony on EMI Phoenixa.

...and is indeed on CDSJB1018.

[Barbirollians]

Is it the same remastering on the Barbirolli Society ?

[cloughie]

Is it the same remastering on the Barbirolli Society ?

Dutton 2000!

[mikealdren]

This thread prompted me to buy the Maazel cycle on CD (the 2000 version, not the latest remastering) and I've just started at No.1.

I listened to the Karajan first, very disappointing, poor sound and it really doesn't have a cohesive Sibelian feeling. Followed by the Maazel, it's everything I remembered, it really sings. The sound is pretty good, listening on headphones, the stereo sometimes wanders a little and occasionally one channel seems to drop when the action is all on the other channel. The VPO are magnificent and as a performance I would only say that, for me, it lacks that final tight rhythmic control but maybe that's why it sings so well?

Looking forward to rest of the cycle but the sunshine will win today.

[jayne lee wilson]

For tight rhythm, punch & sonic drama in No.1 - stunning, from-the-hip COE/Berglund or either Vanksa.... for me at least, they sing as much as I need them to in that finale "big tune..."

More Romantically inclined...?
The latest kid on the block, terrific Rouvali in Gothenburg...

Out to the garden for me now too... (done the work emails..... but more come back....with invoices.....late PM for those...)

[BBMmk2]

For tight rhythm, punch & sonic drama in No.1 - stunning, from-the-hip COE/Berglund or either Vanksa.... for me at least, they sing as much as I need them to in that finale "big tune..."

More Romantically inclined...?
The latest kid on the block, terrific Rouvali in Gothenburg...

Out to the garden for me now too... (done the work emails..... but more come back....with invoices.....late PM for those...)

Vänskä/Lahti I presume?

[akiralx]

Everyone seems to think Segerstam’s earlier cycle on Chandos/Brilliant isn’t much cop but I’ve never heard it.

The Ondine are better - but the Chandos set includes (with the Sixth) a superb En Saga with the final clarinet solo done breathtakingly.

[Barbirollians]

Finished listening to the whole of Rattle’s set now . The Fourth is just magnificent - outstrips the very fine Maazel for example and whilst not as bleak as the EMI Karajan it is probably more moving in its vulnerability. The Sixth still eludes me but could not elude me more beautifully.

[akiralx]

Yes, this CBSO Fourth is my favourite for the work, it is superbly done. I should get the rest of the set, though I do have the BPO cycle which is very good.