Symphony No.2 Op.43 Sibelius.

[visualnickmos]

I have quite a few - about 10 - of Sibelius 2, but for me, the whole thing hinges on the two lone notes at the end of the second movement. It has to be almost spine-tinglingly enigmatic.... Colin Davis does this superbly.

[salymap]

salymap,

I remember that Sargent of No.1 LP very well, and wish that I had kept it, along with quite a few others. I grew up with the old Sibelius society recordings on 78s at school, not realising at the time that some of them were really quite old. The conductor whose Sibelius really reached me was that great Proms standby Basil Cameron, but unfortunately he left very few recordings. As I remember it he shared quite a bit of the conducting duties with Sargent.

Hi Ferret, I think we all took Basil Cameron for granted and he was a much better musician than we realised at the time. He was useful to the Boults, Sargents etc of this world but was given the works in the Proms that they didn't want I'd like to see a thread on him by someone who appreciated him and his musicianship.

[Peter Katin]

RPO/Barbirolli ! Unmatched .

I absolutely agree, but is it obtainable? So far I can only locate the Halle recording - it's very fine, of course - he was very fond of the work.

[Thomas Roth]

It is an amazing performance and it is available on the Chesky label, www.amazon.co.uk.

[BBMmk2]

I absolutely agree, but is it obtainable? So far I can only locate the Halle recording - it's very fine, of course - he was very fond of the work.

I had a look on amazon Peter Katin. Available on the Chesky label. Hope this helps.

[Thomas Roth]

Forgot:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sibelius-Symphony-Royal-Philharmonic-Orchestra/dp/B000003GCO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1292441969&sr=8-2

[Barbirollians]

Yes there were problems with getting hold of it a few years back but Amazon lists lots of copies about !

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

RPO/Barbirolli ! Unmatched .

I don't have this one, but I understand it's superior to his two Halle versions, which I do have.
I've a soft spot for the VPO/Maazel with such amazing, sumptuous sound.

[Franzl01]

Re: Basil Cameron and Sibelius
I have his recordings of Sibelius 2 and Tapiola on 78s - and they still send shivers up my spine, especially the latter.
Henry Wood hoped that Cameron would 'inherit' the Proms, and Boult thought highly of him, wishing that orchestras would be kinder to Cameron, although his description of BC at a climax 'looking as if he was trying to get out of a canvas bag' was astonishingly apt.
Nevertheless, for me Cameron is still 'the' Sibelius conductor, and I was outraged when Radio 3 'celebrated' his centenary with his recording of Kodaly's 'Dances from Galanta', good as they were (and are). I know that Sibelius was inclined to use a scatter gun in his praise of anyone who conducted his music, but I have seen and, thanks to BC, had in my hand several letters from Sibelius that were couched in very friendly, warm, intimate terms.
One final note about BC and the Proms - for many years after the War he and Sargent shared the season, each doing three concerts a week. BC had Trevor Harvey as 'assistant' and MS had John Hollingsworth, if my memory serves. sargent had the BBCSO concerts and Cameron the LSO - they shared the Last Night with the BBCSO.
Enough of my ramblings through the memory box - Season's Greetings to all, and if you are a Christian - Happy Christmas!

[Ferretfancy]

Franzl01

The Cameron Sibelius 2 is available on a Dutton CD, CDBP9788, coupled with Leinsdorf's version of No. 5. Both recordings are with the LPO, and have been very well restored to Dutton's usual standard. The only other Basil Cameron disc in my collection is the Excellent Colin Horsley version of Ireland's Piano Concerto.

Merry Christmas from an atheist traditionalist !

[salymap]

Hello Franz101, It was I who mentioned BC earlier in this thread because I feel his memory has been diminished somewhat by the passage of time. I worked in the music Library and publishing side of music and from 1948 for a number of years I attended the Proms' 2 weeks prelim rehearsals at Maida Vale and often heard BC conduct and rehearse but never spoke to or got to know him at all. I have heard that he gave some very fine performances, but as you imply, it's along time ago. Best wishes from salymap

Perhaps you could talk a bit more about him and let me know his particular strengths.

[Barbirollians]

I have found a Sibelius 2 to rival Barbirolli I think - a quite stupendous performance from Kletzki and the vintage Philharmonia of 1955 . Last available on an EMI Profile of Kletzki and I have found it secondhand for a reasonable price at last .

It is shiver up the spine thrilling and the playing takes your breath away . I do not envy people who lived in the past much but how marvellous the Philharmonia in the 1950s must have been to hear live .

[mathias broucek]

I have found a Sibelius 2 to rival Barbirolli I think - a quite stupendous performance from Kletzki and the vintage Philharmonia of 1955 . Last available on an EMI Profile of Kletzki and I have found it secondhand for a reasonable price at last .

It is shiver up the spine thrilling and the playing takes your breath away . I do not envy people who lived in the past much but how marvellous the Philharmonia in the 1950s must have been to hear live .

I recently purchased seond-hand the Colin Davis / LSO / RCA Sibelius recordings from marketplace (disc-by-disc was cheaper than a set). It's impressive stuff. The disc of the 2nd and 6th is particularly good and is still cheap used http://www.amazon.co.uk/Symphonies-N...089465&sr=8-12

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Szell (RCO or Cleveland live in Tokyo) for the 2nd.

[Barbirollians]

I think that Szell record got quite a few mentions on another thread a few months back - with jayne who is a particular whizz on obtaining Japaness pressings - referring to it I think . I do like those RCA Davis records . I prefer them to either the LSO Live or the Boston SO cycle .

The Kletzki is dazzling though - an order for the 1 and 3 on Testament I imagine must now follow.

[HighlandDougie]

I have found a Sibelius 2 to rival Barbirolli I think - a quite stupendous performance from Kletzki and the vintage Philharmonia of 1955 . Last available on an EMI Profile of Kletzki

I've just found this EMI Profile on my shelves - and what a great (re)find. Totally agree with Barbirollians that it's a stupendous performance. And the recording (July 1955) is astonishingly good - a Walter Legge special.