BaL 12.12.15 - Sibelius: Symphony no. 1 in E minor

[verismissimo]

Just about to embark on the 1930 Kajanus with the Orchestra of the Royal Philharmonic Society (rather than the RPO as in Alpie's listing, for which much thanks).

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Fascinating - but it appears that the Sibelius 1 in the Decca Analogue years is the Maazel

http://www.deccaclassics.com/gb/cat/4785437

I shall therefore remove the Monteux. . .

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Just about to embark on the 1930 Kajanus with the Orchestra of the Royal Philharmonic Society (rather than the RPO as in Alpie's listing, for which much thanks).

Duly amended.

[umslopogaas]

One of my favourite composers. On CD I have John Storgards (set of all seven) and Vladimir Ashkenazy (from the big Decca box of their stereo LP releases). On LP I have Stokowski, Collins, Davis, Rozhdestvensky, Berglund, Ormandy, Maazel.

There are actually two versions by Stokowski and His Symphony Orchestra, one on RCA (LM 1125) and one on HMV (ALP 1210). I suspect they are the same recording, but can anyone confirm this?

[verismissimo]

Worryingly, the week's email from CD Review says that next week's BAL is on Nielsen 6.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Worryingly, the week's email from CD Review says that next week's BAL is on Nielsen 6.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/programmes/schedules/2015/12/12

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

There are actually two versions by Stokowski and His Symphony Orchestra, one on RCA (LM 1125) and one on HMV (ALP 1210). I suspect they are the same recording, but can anyone confirm this?

Could be: HMV and RCA did share recordings up until the 1950s (when this Stokowski was recorded) - they even shared the "Nipper" Logo (HMV recordings were released in the US under the "Angel" label because RCA had the rights to Nipper there). Beecham's La Boheme with Bjorling was an RCA recording, for example. There was also an agreement with DECCA, and their releases appeared in the States under the "London" label.) The Stokowski RCA Sibelius #1 has a swift playing time of 34mins 17secs - if the EMI release has the same date (1950) and is the same length as the RCA version then that would be the clincher, but I can't find an HMV edition to compare.

Stokowski re-recorded the First Symphony for EMI with the National Philharmonic Orchestra, the year before he died. This appeared on the "Great Conductors of the 20th Century" collection; a more usual 37mins 22secs here. The RCA version was also released on a CALA CD a few years ago.

[umslopogaas]

Thanks fhg. Neither LP is dated, but I will play both and time them. I am pretty sure they are the same. The RCA version actually mentions the HMV "Nipper" logo on the centre label.

[Petrushka]

So often, in the days of the LP, I somehow managed to buy discs that have remained as firm recommendations ever since and the Sibelius 1 is one such. That LP turned out to be VPO/Maazel purchased in 1975 and it's a cracker. However, generally speaking, I turn to Sir Colin when it comes to Sibelius and his RCA set with the LSO is my preferred option these days.

Dark horse is Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia, a consistently under-rated performance excellently recorded in vivid Decca sound.

[Alison]

Of the versions I know I'd plump for BBCPO/Storgards. Characterisation seems just right with top playing and recording.

[visualnickmos]

So often, in the days of the LP, I somehow managed to buy discs that have remained as firm recommendations ever since and the Sibelius 1 is one such. That LP turned out to be VPO/Maazel purchased in 1975 and it's a cracker. However, generally speaking, I turn to Sir Colin when it comes to Sibelius and his RCA set with the LSO is my preferred option these days.

Dark horse is Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia, a consistently under-rated performance excellently recorded in vivid Decca sound.

I still find the LSO (RCA) set a little bit 'tame' when compared with his magnificent BSO set - but by that, I am not belittling it - it just doesn't quite cut the mustard for me....

and Ashkenazy; I fully concur with you here, and I would say that his complete set with the PO is generally under-exposed (I hate the term 'under-rated') The more I listen to it, the more I find in it.... the hidden recesses seem to be brought into the light.

[richardfinegold]

I concur with Roehre Davis/BSO was my intro to the piece, still my favorite, and I was suprised at how many versions alpie listed that I have actually heard--roughly a third of them (and more if it turns out that there is an Ormandy buried on my shelves).
There was a great cover on the Original album of a Munch Picture of the Davis/BSO #1. I can't remember which painting it was--I don't think it was The Scream.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

There was a great cover on the Original album of a Munch Picture of the Davis/BSO #1. I can't remember which painting it was--I don't think it was The Scream.

http://www.discogs.com/Sibelius-Boston-Symphony-Orchestra-Colin-Davis-Symphony-No-1-Finlandia/release/4130484

(click on image to enlarge)

IIRC, all the LPs had a different Munch on the covers, with a different coloured border.

[Petrushka]

A word here, and just highlighting how many recommendable recordings there are of this piece, for VPO/Bernstein, a thrilling recording.

[Beef Oven!]

A word here, and just highlighting how many recommendable recordings there are of this piece, for VPO/Bernstein, a thrilling recording.

Lenny Bernstein, VPO; Herbie von Karajan, BPO; Anthony Collins, LSO; Vlad Ashkenazy, Philharmonia. All