BaL 28.01.17 - Sibelius: Tapiola Op. 112

[richardfinegold]

Karajan's 1964 recording with the BPO in the Jesus Christus Kirche has long been a favourite and I could happily live with just this recording. More recently, I have enjoyed Okko Kamu with the Lahti SO on a BIS Hybrid SACD c/w The Tempest Overture / Suites and The Bard - the audio quality of the recordings are to the usual high BIS standards, at least on the CD layer which I play.

Aha! That would seem to be the only high resolution available! When I had looked at Alpie's original list I assumed that Kamu would have been of an earlier vintage, based on the use of some of his recordings by DG, coupled with Karajan recordings, to make a complete DG set of Sibelius Symphonies. Duly ordered. I am auditioning a DAC that can take a DSD feed from SACDs via HDMI--it would be great if it arrives before I have to make a decision about purchasing the DAC.
I had owned the Karajan DG Tapiola once, on lp, and marginally preferred the EMI version, although I thought there wasn't much to choose from, but that was years ago.
I was also surprised that when I checked my Barbirolli set, Tapiola wasn't included. ditto for Bernstein, whose set I gave away after burning the discs to a HD. I didn't like LB in the Symphonies but he was mercurial and who knows, might of really done a great Tapiola. My Ormandy Sibelius set likewise doesn't have a Tapiola, and that would have been another tempting option. Next up: Berglund/Bournemouth

[Barbirollians]

Looking at timings I notice that Karajan in both 1960s and 1980s is a good couple of minutes slower than Ashkenazy and Bournemouth SO/Berglund my other CD versions .

[AmpH]

Aha! That would seem to be the only high resolution available! When I had looked at Alpie's original list I assumed that Kamu would have been of an earlier vintage, based on the use of some of his recordings by DG, coupled with Karajan recordings, to make a complete DG set of Sibelius Symphonies. Duly ordered. I am auditioning a DAC that can take a DSD feed from SACDs via HDMI--it would be great if it arrives before I have to make a decision about purchasing the DAC.
I had owned the Karajan DG Tapiola once, on lp, and marginally preferred the EMI version, although I thought there wasn't much to choose from, but that was years ago.

Hope you enjoy the recording. If, as I do, you like Kamu's way with Sibelius then his recordings of the symphonies from 2015 ( also BIS Hybrid SACD's ) with the same Lahti forces are highly recommended.

[BBMmk2]

I have Sakari, Berglund, Collins, Gibson and Maazel. should be rather interesting.

[HighlandDougie]

Duly ordered - I had no idea of this set's existence (and have fond memories of the WRC Hannikainen 5th) so thanks, Reinerfan, for the heads-up on this.

Hanninkainen duly arrived and played. Fast performance - 16 minutes (4 minutes faster than, say, Karajan). Judging from some very slight extraneous noises at times, I would guess that the transfer (at least of Tapiola) has been made from a good-quality LP, rather than from a master tape. It sounds OK for its age but, to my ears at least, doesn't have the detail or the warmth of the older mono (but remastered) Rosbaud. "Blazes" isn't really the right word for this music but the performance has an urgency to it which seems entirely appropriate - very glad to have made its acquaintance.

[Barbirollians]

I have listened to three of mine on CD and Ashkenazy is a runaway winner in my book so far . HVK atmospheric and mysterious especially in 1984 but too slow . Now for Berglund.

[BBMmk2]

I have listened to three of mine on CD and Ashkenazy is a runaway winner in my book so far . HVK atmospheric and mysterious especially in 1984 but too slow . Now for Berglund.

Let us know re Berglund! :)

[Bryn]

In addition to the two Berglund recordings listed, that with the Finish Radio Symphony Orchestra is available for download from QOBUZ, etc.

[Barbirollians]

The Bournemouth SO /Berglund is very dramatic especially in the storm but a bit lacking on the mystery front . Ashkenazy for me though I need to dig out my LP of the Beecham.

[BBMmk2]

Thanks Barbs.

I hope the presentation be a good one, in this BaL!

[DoctorT]

Having listened this week to Davis/Boston SO, Ashkenazy/Philharmonia and Vanska/Lahti SO, my favourite would definitely be the Davis. Looking forward to Saturday!

[BBMmk2]

Having listened this week to Davis/Boston SO, Ashkenazy/Philharmonia and Vanska/Lahti SO, my favourite would definitely be the Davis. Looking forward to Saturday!

See what happens! :)

[Daniel]

Of all Sibelius' orchestral works Tapiola seems most vividly to paint an internal landscape, at least one where inner world subsumes the external one to a great degree. Someone upthread said it was Sibelius' masterpiece, I think I'd agree with that .. though the very ending (as elsewhere in Sibelius) I think I'm yet to feel completely persuaded by.
So many good recordings, Berglund, Bournemouth SO seems really alive with magic, and I very much like Segerstam's bleached reading (with intensely chilling climax) with Helsinki PO that Jayne mentions in #26.

p.s Forgot to mention the Vanska, Lahti SO recording which I also find striking too, though it (iirc) seems more overt in many ways than the above mentioned pair.

[Tapiola]

Of all Sibelius' orchestral works Tapiola seems most vividly to paint an internal landscape, at least one where inner world subsumes the external one to a great degree. Someone upthread said it was Sibelius' masterpiece, I think I'd agree with that .. though the very ending (as elsewhere in Sibelius) I think I'm yet to feel completely persuaded by.

Yes, Sibelius' masterpiece. One of the great masterpieces of all music, I would say.

Strangely enough, that plagal ending always brings tears to my eyes, and the saddest major chord I've ever heard. It's tragic almost.

And another vote here for Berglund/Bournemouth.

[PJPJ]

Hope you enjoy the recording. If, as I do, you like Kamu's way with Sibelius then his recordings of the symphonies from 2015 ( also BIS Hybrid SACD's ) with the same Lahti forces are highly recommended.

I think the Kamu cycle on BIS is most satisfying. A lovely set.