BaL 13.05.23 - Sibelius: Symphony no 6

**smittims** · 23-04-23, 07:05

I was pleased last year to hear Sir Andrew Davis conduct this work, the only occasion I can recall his conducting any music by Sibelius. I don't know if there is a Chandos CD released or pending.

It's a famously elusive, understated work , not for everyone. The first time I heard it was in a Radio3 broadcast conducted by that most underrated (IMO) conductor, Maurice Handford. Curiously, the harp part was played on a harpsichord. I supose the harp was uavailable and the ahrpsichord was present for an 18th-century piece in the same programme.

And there's at least one textual problem , the synchronisation of the cello and bass parts in the finale: Norman del Mar dealt with it in his book 'Orchestral Variations' .

**richardfinegold** · 23-04-23, 11:12

I had started a thread o this work many moons ago. As Smittens says, it’s famously elusive. The first Vanska recording was the one that convinced me. There are some really bad recordings of it by conductors that I otherwise admire, namely Bernstein and Maazel

**pastoralguy** · 23-04-23, 13:34

I was lucky enough to hear the late Sir Alexander Gibson conduct it with the SNO on a few occasions. Like the fourth symphony, it’s a very difficult work to both perform and listen to.

**Alison** · 23-04-23, 14:09

Good choice for BaL, with an excellent reviewer for good measure.

**Master Jacques** · 23-04-23, 14:46

There are of course plenty of very good recordings of this loveliest, most delicately poetic of symphonies, my own personal favourite of the seven.

Berglund in Bournemouth, Vänskä in Lahti would be predictable choices near the top of my own list; though the 2015 Kamu from Lahti distils a lifetime of engagement with this music, to absorbing effect. There is neither a gesture out of place, nor an orchestral texture unbalanced. We hear everything the composer wants us to hear, in this understated and gentle recording - at least, that's the way it feels to me.

**Barbirollians** · 23-04-23, 16:27

Originally posted by Alison View Post

Good choice for BaL, with an excellent reviewer for good measure.

I have soft spots for Ashkenazy , the late EMI Karajan, Barbirolli and the early Beecham.

**Master Jacques** · 23-04-23, 16:47

Originally posted by pastoralguy View Post

I was lucky enough to hear the late Sir Alexander Gibson conduct it with the SNO on a few occasions.

How I envy you that luck! I only heard one live Sibelius performance from Gibson, and it was just about the best Pohjola's Daughter I ever heard live, rivalled only by one with Berglund and the LSO some years later. I never heard him live in any of the symphonies.

**pastoralguy** · 23-04-23, 21:56

Originally posted by Master Jacques View Post

How I envy you that luck! I only heard one live Sibelius performance from Gibson, and it was just about the best Pohjola's Daughter I ever heard live, rivalled only by one with Berglund and the LSO some years later. I never heard him live in any of the symphonies.

Sir Alex was a real advocate for Sibelius’ music from when he first took over the SNO in 1959 and the Scottish audiences responded to his obvious love and enthusiasm for the great Finn’s music. Even today, years after his death, the RSNO still carries the sound of Gibson in its Sibelius performances.

I was lucky enough to hear all the Sibelius symphonies conducted by Sir Alex. His early EMI/SAGA discs were, imvho, more representative of his style than the later Chandos discs.

**Darloboy** · 04-05-23, 15:15

Previous BaL choices:

Stephen Walsh (October 89) Ashkenazy + CBSO/Rattle as also recommended
David Nice (November 08) Neeme Järvi

**Tony Halstead** · 05-05-23, 08:18

Originally posted by pastoralguy View Post

Sir Alex was a real advocate for Sibelius’ music from when he first took over the SNO in 1959 and the Scottish audiences responded to his obvious love and enthusiasm for the great Finn’s music. Even today, years after his death, the RSNO still carries the sound of Gibson in its Sibelius performances.

I was lucky enough to hear all the Sibelius symphonies conducted by Sir Alex. His early EMI/SAGA discs were, imvho, more representative of his style than the later Chandos discs.

I endorse wholeheartedly what you have written. The 'Saga' Gibson/SNO (as it was then) Sibelius 3 and 7 recordings are magnificent performances. I will always remember my 'trial' concert in the RFH as co-1st horn with the LSO, conducted superbly by Alex Gibson several years before he received his accolade: Sibelius 5, Rachmaninov PC3 and Berlioz King Lear overture. Simply unforgettable, honest, passionate music making.

**Barbirollians** · 05-05-23, 08:32

Originally posted by pastoralguy View Post

Sir Alex was a real advocate for Sibelius’ music from when he first took over the SNO in 1959 and the Scottish audiences responded to his obvious love and enthusiasm for the great Finn’s music. Even today, years after his death, the RSNO still carries the sound of Gibson in its Sibelius performances.

I was lucky enough to hear all the Sibelius symphonies conducted by Sir Alex. His early EMI/SAGA discs were, imvho, more representative of his style than the later Chandos discs.

I don't know those earlier discs but the Chandos recordings are very fine too . I bought them largely second hand just before lockdown and have enjoyed them greatly.

I see that Gibson's earlier 1 and 5 were on one of those Cfp Silver Doubles in the 1990s so have snapped that up this morning.

**Bryn** · 05-05-23, 08:43

I had the Saga LP of symphonies 3 and 7, which was very fine indeed. I note that QOBUZ has a few for which next to no provenance is offered, including a 5th Symphony with the LSO. Can anyone here offer further information on that recording (when and by whom recorded)?

**smittims** · 05-05-23, 09:41

My guess is that the LSO/Gibson Sib 5 , coupled with the Karelia suite, was recorded by Decca for RCA, who first issued it on their Victrola label, around the same time that the same artists made a popular classcis anthology including a famous recording of Arnold's Tam o'Shanter. These recordings were reissued by Decca on their SPA ('World of...') label, as they did some of the LSO and VPO/Monteux recordings they had also made for RCA.

**Pulcinella** · 05-05-23, 10:03

Slightly off topic, but a new recording of 3 and 4 by the Montrealers under YNS gets a good review in today's Times, and it looks like he's doing a symphony cycle.

Maria Dueñas: Beethoven and Beyond review — a 20-year-old rising star shines

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/maria-duenas-beethoven-and-beyond-review-a-20-year-old-rising-star-shines-nm6jkb2fw?shareToken=4e9a579e02cc284395775428da8eb1bd

Maria DueñasBeethoven and Beyond★★★★☆Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Orchestre Metropolitain de MontréalSibelius 3 & 4★★★★★Maria Dueñas is a 20-year-old Spanish violin

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9465215--sibelius-symphonies-nos-3-4

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4. Atma Classique: ACD22454. Buy CD online. Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, Yannick Nézet-Séguin

BaL 13.05.23 - Sibelius: Symphony no 6

BaL 13.05.23 - Sibelius: Symphony no 6

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