Search - Jean Sibelius, Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra :: Sibelius: Finlandia; En Saga; Valse triste; Karelia Suite; The Swan of Tuonela

Is this the greatest Sibelius recording ever?

Mark E. Stenroos | Laguna Niguel, CA | 12/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Is this the greatest Sibelius recording ever?



It may well be.



This particular CD combines Karajan's 1976 analog recordings of four Sibelius tone poems with his 1981 digital recordings of Valse Triste and the Op 11 Karelia Suite. The analog material - Finlandia, The Swan of Tuonela, En Saga and Tapiola - have always been demonstration-quality recordings. This particular CD marks the SEVENTH time I've purchased these recordings: first in their initial USA Angel LP & cassette issues, then as a British LP import, next as a German LP import, again in their initial EMI Studio CD release, once more in their second EMI CD release, and now in their almost-always-better-sounding Great Recordings of the Century series (there are exceptions to that particular rule, BTW).



Why all the copies? Simple: I was constantly seeking out a version that did full justice to the sound that one could tell was inscribed on the original tapes, and I think that finally, finally EMI have got it just about right.



First off, these recordings are very lifelike. They very much represent the Berlin Phil under Karajan that I heard in live performances at Carnegie Hall. And - except for a few intonation problems here and there that were previously buried in various degrees of sonic mush - the execution of the BPO is near immaculate (no clams in the brass!), matching American orchestras in their typical note-perfect playing.



The recorded ambience is also very easy on the ear, but - and this is a big but - the listening perspective on these recordings has now been shifted forward from second row orchestra to the conductor's podium. What I mean by that is that there is much more clarity and transparency in the orchestra than I recall from previous issues (it also helps if you listen to the CD at a slightly boosted volume level). It's a bit like the difference one gets when auditioning a recording on headphones rather than through speakers (in fact, I could swear that I can now hear Karajan - or someone - humming at certain points or urging on the orchestra).



There has also been a re-sequencing of the tracks themselves. Previous issues all opened with Karajan's massive version of Finlandia - an opening track that was sure to grab a listener by the gonads and pull him into the recording. This time around the CD opens with En Saga with Finlandia buried down the track listing. If you've never heard this disc and want to hear what it's all about, you'll play Finlandia first, trust me!



On the subject of this recording of Finlandia, it surely gains from Karajan opting for doubled winds who maintain their sound and texture over the massive strings and brass (augmented by VERY present timpani). Here, Karajan and the BPO launch what has to have set the all-time record for gravitas in Finlandia openings. This is slow, ballsy and brilliant. I can think of no greater compliment to give both Karajan and his orchestra than to say that they here play Finlandia as if it were the most important piece of music ever composed by anyone, ever.



The same "greatest piece ever" philosophy also inhabits the other works on this CD. The Swan, in particular, is hauntingly beautiful, no more so than in the huge string phrases that take over before the English horn's final, plaintive utterances. This is music making on such a high level that one might miss it for the emotional involvement of all concerned. You may find yourself - as did I - immediately replaying this track just to convince yourself that it really was that good.



Likewise, Karajan's 1981 Valse triste surpasses his previous efforts (not to mention those of most others). This is a slow but enervated version of a piece that I just never tire of hearing. However, I will say that the digital sound is slightly less fulsome than that captured on the analog tracks. The Karelia Suite is also of digital origin and reflects the same caveat, though this is picking nits - the recordings are all fabulous.



The real revelation on the disc is Tapiola. Karajan recorded it a few times, and I find this one to be his best if not THE best recording of the piece ever made. If you want to know what the term "heavy classic" means, seek no further. It was once opined that Sibelius' fame could have rested on Tapiola alone, and it may well be that Tapiola recordings may come down to this one and this one alone. It is just that impressive as a recording and as an interpretation.



Seventeen years after his death, it's becoming quite clear to me that Karajan went through something of a golden age in the 1970s. His recordings from that period - particularly his EMI recordings - showcase an orchestra and conductor at the absolute summit of their powers, fully in tune with each other and the music at hand. These Sibelius recordings rank with the very best from that period and are well deserving of the Great Recordings of the Century moniker.



I'd urge you to purchase this disc before EMI consigns this issue to deletion status.



It simply doesn't get any better."

Matches or surpasses the best of the competition

dv_forever | Michigan, USA | 08/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Outside of the symphonies, Sibelius wrote quite a bit of orchestral music. For a first rate overview of that repertoire, this EMI CD with Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic should be in any Sibelius collection. I won't go into too much detail since the other reviewer has already filled you in but I'll just second the motion. This is extraordinary music making.



Karajan has recorded these works many times and this is as good as any of them. This Finlandia in particular is bold and brassy with great sound quality. Probably the greatest performance on record. His digital DG version is also outstanding but with a bit of early digital glare while this EMI analogue version can handle the breathtaking punch of the brass.



Karajan mastered the tone poem Tapiola and recorded it 4 times. I've heard 3 out of 4 personally. The Penguin Guide says the final digital version is the greatest of them all. That's the one I haven't heard myself. It's been long out of print but recently Arkivmusic has made it available on a CD-R reproduction. It's coupled with Karajan's account of Nielsen's 4th symphony, the "Inextinguishable". If you want that Tapiola, that's where to find it.



But comparing this EMI Tapiola from the 70s with the earlier DG account from the 60s they are near identical in execution. I can't see any Sibelius or Karajan fan going wrong with this EMI CD. The sound quality is first rate. The EMI engineers make the Berlin Philharmonie hall sound natural and atmospheric. For such a cheap price, this is an easy addition to anyone's collection."

A desert island CD

Roberto | SF, USA | 09/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with a lot of Mark E. Stenroos said. However, I didn't buy this recording 7 times, but two! I have this one and the previously released "Studio Plus" series (ASIN: B000002S3F). Not only the order of the tracks, but also the mix and balance are quite different.



The actual reason that I bought this CD was that I was not very pleased with the balance of the 1st movement of Karelia. I was looking for a more "upfront" mix and this release has indeed the sound that I expected. However, I started to find the sound from the "Studio Plus" release quite interesting and nowadays I listen to both CDs!



The other reviewers already said what needs to be said about the quality of these tunes. This CD opened my eyes (or ears, I should say) to Sibelius, a composer that I hardly knew. Since then, I listened to countless recordings of almost all Sibelius' works.



For these poems, this recording is at the very top. Even Karajan's other recordings for DG (either the ones before or after this one) don't match this one. As for the symphonies, I am very found of Karajan's EMI recording with BPO of #2. I like a lot the Bernstein's recordings of #1, #5 and especially #7 with the VPO. Vanska's #6 with the Lahti Symphony is quite impressive.



It is too bad that Karajan never recorded the complete "Lemminkainen Suite". For that, I suggest Horst Stein and L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande."