Sibelius: Complete Symphonies (4 CD)
Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Leif Segerstam, conductor
At the very end of this Sibelius anniversary year an issue of the composer’s complete symphonies. The performers, the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra under Leif Segerstam, guarantee a genuinely ‘Nordic’ atmosphere.
It is amazing that Sibelius wrote his seven symphonies in the span of just 26 years. They are the core of his oeuvre. All Sibelius’s music is firmly rooted in Finnish soil. It is true that his symphonies do not particularly relate to the German tradition of this genre. Tchaikovsky and Grieg rather than Beethoven and Brahms were his examples.
The composer’s great sense of structure and melody in addition to his highly effective orchestrations shine through in all these performances. Segerstam demands great flexibility from the Danish orchestra. It responds with thrilling enthusiasm.
With In Memoriam, opus 59, and the magical music of the first suite for the Copenhagen production of The Tempest as interesting bonuses. ( Brilliant Classics )
CD1
SYMPHONY No. 1 in E minor Op. 39
I. Andante ma non troppo-allegro energico 12:26
II. Andante ma non troppo lento 9:57
III. Scherzo, allegro 5:48
IV. Finale (Quasi una fantasia): andante-allegro molto 14:45
Recorded: 3-4/04/1992
SYMPHONY No. 3 in C major Op. 52
I. Allegro moderato 11:18
II. Andantino con moto, quasi allegretto 10:52
III. Moderato-allegro 9:36
Recorded: 28-29/02/1992
CD2
SYMPHONY No. 2 in D major Op. 43
I. Allegretto 10:41
II. Tempo andante ma rubato-andante sostenuto 15:30
III. Vivacissimo-lento e suave 6:28
IV. Finale, allegro medrato-poco largamente-molto largamente 14:24
Recorded: 20-23/08/1990
SYMPHONY No. 7 in C major Op. 105
Adagio - Vivacissimo - Allegro moderato - Vivace 22:14
Recorded: 15/11/1991
CD3
SYMPHONY No. 4 in A minor Op. 63
I. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio 11:18
II. Allegro molto vivace-doppio piu lento 5:05
III. Il tempo largo 12:24
IV. Allegro 11:02
Recorded: 2-3/11/1990
SYMPHONY No. 5 in E flat major Op. 82
I. Tempo molto moderato-allegro moderato 14:49
II. Andante mosso, quasi allegretto 9:41
III. Allegro molto-un pocchettino largamente 10:22
Recorded: 30-31/08/1991
CD4
SYMPHONY No. 6 in D minor Op. 104
I. Allegro molto moderato 9:58
II. Allegretto moderato 6:34
III. Poco vivace 4:00
IV. Allegro molto 11:04
Recorded: 30-31/08/1991
THE TEMPEST, Suite No. I Op. 109, No. 2
I. The Oaktree 3:24
II. Humoreske 1:03
III. Caliban’s Song 1:28
IV. The Autumn Men 2:15
V. Canon 1:47
VI. Scene 1:30
VII. Intrada: Berceuse 3:42
VIII. Entr’acte: Ariel’s Song 5:11
IX. The Tempest 4:23
Recorded: 2-3/11/1990
IN MEMORIAM OP. 59
Grave e Maestoso 13:38
Recorded: 26/09/1990
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Leif Segerstam, conductor
Recorded at Danish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen
