Sibelius

Mischa Elman (violin): The Complete RCA Victor Recordings (Biddulph)

An Elman discographic lacuna is put right; fine transfers too [JW]

sibelius symphony alpha

Sibelius: Symphony No 4 (Alpha Classics)

A performance to convert the Sibelian reluctant to appreciate the bleak Fourth’s special qualities, in a death-laden programme complete with two superb companion pieces [RMo]

Artur Rodziński (conductor): The Complete Columbia Album Collection (Sony Classical)

Sony’s second Rodziński box fills a significant gap from his Cleveland years [JH]

Lise Davidsen (soprano): Christmas From Norway (Decca)

Be sure this makes it under your next Christmas tree [MP]

Finnish piano works Hanssler HC23048

Finnish Piano Works (Hänssler Classic)

Richly evocative music that rewards repeated listening [RCh]

Julens ljus (The Light of Christmas) (Proprius)

(Déjà Review) I suspect that many listeners will make attractive ‘finds’ among these 24 songs and the execution of them leaves little extra to be desired [GF]

Sibelius collins PASC696

Collins conducts Sibelius (Pristine Audio)

Expertly refurbished but not as sonically striking or interpretatively engaging as my favourite recordings [RMo]

Bjorling Til Havs Swedish Society SCD1100

Jussi Björling (tenor) Til Havs (Swedish Society Discofil)

(Déjà Review) A treasure snatched from last minute oblivion and a memorable memento of a great voice and personality [RB]

Overtures Finland CHSA5336

Overtures from Finland (Chandos)

Well-devised programme lacking the last degree of performance finesse [NB]

Leipzig String Trio: Passion (Ars Produktion)

Something of a mixed bag [SV]

Overtures from Finland (Chandos)

A ramble, with delights along the way, through some of Finland’s most neglected overtures [RB]

Sibelius: The Tempest (Naxos)

Okko Kamu gives voice to one of Sibelius’s most enigmatic utterances [RB]

Sibelius: Sagas (Salamandre)

A hushed voice; music teetering on the cliff face between sorrow and excitement [RB]

Sibelius: Symphonies (Musical Concepts)

An attractive bargain set; crisp playing and intelligent conducting embrace the whole gamut of moods in these wonderful symphonies [RMo]

sibelius lemminkainen forgotten

Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Legends (Forgotten Records)

A strong performance, if sometimes tending towards literalness [PBW]

sibelius sym4 fr2085

Sibelius: Symphony 4 (Forgotten Records)

An interesting but largely disappointing CD, mainly because of an underpowered performance of the symphony [PBW]

Sibelius: Symphonies 5-7 (Pristine Audio)

The finest Fifth I know, and an excellent Sixth and Seventh, all given a new lease of life by Pristine as XR Remastered Ambient Stereo [RMo]

sibelius tempest kamu naxos 8574419

Sibelius: The Tempest (Naxos)

Kamu has the measure of Sibelius’s complete Tempest music [LW]

Eugene Ormandy (conductor) (Testament)

An interesting document, but only the Emperor adds significantly to the discography [SV]

Ferras memoire RH023

Christian Ferras (violin) (Rhine Classics)

A 5-CD, finely upholstered salute to a great musician [JW]

sibelius symphonies 645

Sibelius: Symphonies 3 & 5 (Alpha)

Another winner in this series of Sibelius symphonies, suites and tone poems [RMo]