Sibelius Symphonies 5 & 6, Tapiola
Both conductors on this CD knew Sibelius and their interpretations (in each case the earliest recordings) are considered by many still to be definitive. Kajanus was engaged by The Gramophone Company (HMV) to produce their Sibelius Society sets; however after his death Schneevoigt was brought in to conduct the magnificent Sixth in 1934. The “Finnish National Orchestra” was not a regular ensemble but appears to have consisted of the Helsinki Philharmonic augmented by members of the Finnish Radio Orchestra.
Definitive Interpretations – these conductors were colleagues and friends of the composer
Symphony no. 5 and Tapiola recorded 1932
LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA cond. ROBERT KAJANUS
Symphony no. 6 recorded 1934
FINNISH NATIONAL ORCHESTRA cond. GEORG SCHNEEVOIGT
Track Listing
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Jean Sibelius:
- Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82 - I. Molto moderato - allegro moderato (11:39)
- Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82 - II. Andante mosso (8:13)
- Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82 - III. Allegro molto (9:15)
- Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104 - I. Allegro molto moderato (8:09)
- Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104 - II. Allegretto moderato (5:23)
- Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104 - III. Poco vivace (2:46)
- Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104 - IV. Allegro molto (9:19)
- Tapiola, Op. 112 (17:26)
Reviews
“I cannot recommend this CD too highly. Few accounts of the fifth symphony are more dramatic…
” —Denby Richards
“the performances [were] endorsed by Sibelius. Thus the recordings are considered by many as being definitive. This issue is of astonishingly high quality, with all trace of surface noise removed… This disc is of genuine historical importance. A fascinating release.
” —Arthur Baker
“extremely well scrubbed-up recordings… merits high praise. Highly listenable recordings. [the performances of the symphonies] are unsentimental yet generate plenty of atmosphere… conspiratorial and sweetly pressured tension. Kajanus’s Tapiola is even more impressive
” —Rob Barnett
“these are important documents… Kajanus’s interpretation of the Fifth Symphony is an outstanding achievement. The remastering is excellent
” —Martin Leigh
“worthy of the highest praise: faultless matching of sides and natural sound, a real pleasure to listen to. So we have a recording on CD which once again indicates the essential cultural role of the disc in the preservation of our most precious musical heritage.
” —Michel Tibbaut
“[these recordings] positively sing with the spirit of Finland’s wide open spaces
” —Tom Hall
