Search - Jean Sibelius, Adrian Leaper, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra :: Sibelius: Symphony No. 5; En Saga; Balthazar's Feast

Satisfying

David Saemann | 08/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an absolutely top notch recording of Sibelius. The symphony is beautifully paced, with excellent delineation of the work's textures and no rushing. The orchestra plays with sensitivity and grace. Indeed, the Slovak Philharmonic's Slavic tonality proves to be highly appropriate for Sibelius's sound world. The last movement has a total absence of bombast, with the brass never playing too loudly. The final chords are paced well, without the conductorial grunts one hears on Colin Davis's first version. En Saga is the best performance I've ever heard of this piece. It has great momentum, a tough thing to achieve in what is often a very diaphanous work. The whole atmosphere is highly redolent of Scandinavia and Sibelius's feeling for nature. We come down to Earth in the Belshazzar's Feast pieces, which here are miniatures of character and elegance. With excellent sound throughout, slightly better in the shorter works than in the symphony, this is a highly worthwhile Sibelius experience."