Search - Jean Sibelius, Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra :: Sibelius: Finlandia, En Saga, Tapiola, Karelia, Swan Of Tuonela

Herbert von Karajan's recordings for EMI sound very different (and usually better) than his more numerous DG productions. Part of the reason for this was EMI's preferred recording venue--a Berlin church and not the acoustically defective Philharmonie (Philharmonic Hall). Perhaps Karajan himself interfered less at the mixing console as well, for these really exciting Sibelius performances have an impact and raw vigor that his smoother DG versions generally lack. The brass opening at the beginning of Finlandia, for example, is really ferocious, and there's none of that string-heavy, suffocating sonority that often mars his work. In short, a thoroughly recommendable collection. --David Hurwitz