BaL 16.06.12 - Sibelius Symphony no. 5

[silvestrione]

I thought we were told that the EMI Philharmonia was the best of the Karajans?

Were we? Gosh, I missed that. But the extract was from the BPO version surely?

I used to have the Karajan/Philharmonia on LP and loved it. I presume there is a mono as well. The Karajan Philharmonia Sibelius are wonderful, in my view.

[gurnemanz]

The 2 Celis must be fascinating, not to mention Vanska's three (including the original) and the oft-overlooked Kurt Sanderling. In Japan, Akeo Watanabe is a Sibelian of towering proportions, and any of his performances are worth hunting down...

I had some of the Sanderling Berlin recordings on LP in the 70s - now long gone, alas, so I can't check them out but I remember liking them. They are definitely "oft-overlooked" and seem not to have figured at all. They came out a few years ago on Brilliant Classics and are still available on Berlin Classics.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/7-Symphonies-Sanderling-Berlin-So/dp/B0000035OJ/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1340145693&sr=1-2

MusicWeb reviewed them:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2000/feb00/sibeliussanderling.htm

I got the Rattle CBSO recordings in a set as a free gift when I signed up to Gramophone by post about 20 years ago (now lapsed) and have always found them to be excellent.

[Nick Armstrong]

I caught up with this BAL at the weekend, on one of my desert island pieces. Many of the comments above echo my reactions, save for the expert knowledge evinced as to the acoustic properties of Lewisham public conveniences...

As far as it went, I found it illuminating and interesting to have an opportunity to compare versions both familiar and unfamiliar... I wanted more of that - as so often, some key versions were excluded (odd when there was time for two extracts from the old 1930s Koussevitsky, when one would have been sufficient).

As regards the final Davis choice - well, I just don't 'get' the way Sir Colin hears this piece. It must be a personal thing. I thought that transition with the BSO described as 'laboured' was indeed awful - but I think it's because it seems to me to be trying to turn the piece into something I don't think it is... His other versions are similarly afflicted - I just don't like the way he tells the story.

Pausing there, Alpie:

Yes. There are still some who confuse speed with excitement - a fallacy, in my view.

True - but I also think the opposite is true: that there are still some who confuse slow speed with significance or emotional impact... equally a fallacy, in my view

I shan't be acquiring the 'winning' disc (quite apart from the recording quality) - actually, it was rather a surprise winner given what had come before, I thought.

Like Nick, I like the Iceland / Naxos Sakari recording - haven't heard the LPO and of all the ones featured, that's the one I'm most interested to try.

But for me, each extract of the Vanska/Lahti recording in comparison with the others served only to emphasis its excellence, its transparency and its impact. Sibelian magic

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

True - but I also think the opposite is true: that there are still some who confuse slow speed with significance or emotional impact... equally a fallacy, in my view

Oh! I thought Alpie meant "slow speed"?

[Nick Armstrong]

Oh! I thought Alpie meant "slow speed"?

Perhaps Mr A could clarify. I think 'speed' on its own indicates a fast pace, no? I took him to be saying that people mistakenly think that you have to accelerate (or play fast) to generate excitement, and that this isn't necessarily the right approach.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Perhaps Mr A could clarify. I think 'speed' on its own indicates a fast pace, no? I took him to be saying that people mistakenly think that you have to accelerate (or play fast) to generate excitement, and that this isn't necessarily the right approach.

<doh>emoticon: Re-reading Alpie's original, this makes better sense! I was still "stuck" in the "laboured Davis" groove and thought he was agreeing with SJ's comment: the "yes" at the start of his reply should've made his actual meaning obvious to even a dunce like I was being!

[BBMmk2]

I have the Ahskenazy and Vanka, with the Philarmonia and Lahti SO respectively. I think I have others, but can't think of what they areat the monet!!

[Nick Armstrong]

Vanka

Oh I don't know, I think he's rather good....

monet!!

Lovely water lilies



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I'm sorry bbm.... I couldn't stop myself...

[BBMmk2]

Oh I don't know, I think he's rather good....



Lovely water lilies



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I'm sorry bbm.... I couldn't stop myself...

I see what you mean there, Caliban!! (methinks I must make sure I have no typos, infuture!!)

[Nick Armstrong]

I see what you mean there, Caliban!! (methinks I must make sure I have no typos, infuture!!)

Don't make too sure! It's one of the charms of the Forum!

[EdgeleyRob]

I see what you mean there, Caliban!! (methinks I must make sure I have no typos, infuture!!)

BBM nooooo, your tpyos are legendary

[teamsaint]

BBM nooooo, your tpyos are legendary

true comment...but what you doing on this thread ER?
No offence, obviously !

[EdgeleyRob]

...but what you doing on this thread ER?

I got lost!

[BBMmk2]

Okey doke people the BBMishes will remain!!