Search - Philadelphia Orchestra :: Sibelius: Lemminkainen Suite: Four Legends of the Kalevala; Tapiola

Sibelius at his most Romantic...

Jeffrey Harris | Texas | 07/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up in Philadelphia. My first orchestral concert was the Philadelphia Orchestra playing Beethoven's Fifth under Eugene Ormandy; however, it is not nostalgia or sentiment that moves me to tell you that this performance of the Legends is one of the greatest Sibelius recordings I know. This composition is an early one, preceding the First Symphony by a few years. There are four movements, one of which is famous: The Swan of Tuonela. In this phase of his career, Sibelius was a real Romantic, and Ormandy plays this with the full, luscious string sound that made the Philadelphia Orchestra famous. This recording was made in 1978, so it comes late in Ormandy's career. The very next year the orchestra would begin to record with Riccardo Muti. Some of Ormandy's later recordings have the reputation of being slack and dull...not this one! I doubt this recording will ever be surpassed. Believe it or not, as recently as a few years ago this recording was hard to find; now it can be purchased used very inexpensively on amazon. Don't hesitate!



I give the CD four stars instead of five to reflect the inclusion of Berglund's recording of Tapiola. Tapiola was Sibelius' last work. It is a masterpiece with striking orchestral effects. Berglund does not play up the barbaric and dramatic side of this music as much as other conductors have. You will also notice that the strings sound recessed and lack presence and sheen. If I didn't know other recordings, I might not think so highly of this tone poem. Colin Davis did it much better, to name one alternative.



But you must have this for the Legends. If you like the First and Second Symponies of Sibelius, I think you will really enjoy this music."