Symphony No. 6, Op. 104 In D Minor: Allegro Molto Moderato
Symphony No. 6, Op. 104 In D Minor: Allegro Moderato
Symphony No. 6, Op. 104 In D Minor: Poco Vivace
Symphony No. 6, Op. 104 In D Minor: Allegro Molto
This is part of Sir Colin Davis's second set of Sibelius's symphonies. The first recordings, with the Boston Symphony for Philips, were highly acclaimed in their time and remain available on two budget-priced sets. Since t... more »he BSO plays with a palpably lusher sound than the LSO, many listeners may still prefer those recordings. But these newer performances have more powerful climaxes, and overall a more aggressive approach to the music which grabs the listener's attention more immediately, sometimes a very positive factor in enigmatic music like that of Sibelius. RCA's recording is amazingly fine. --Leslie Gerber« less
This is part of Sir Colin Davis's second set of Sibelius's symphonies. The first recordings, with the Boston Symphony for Philips, were highly acclaimed in their time and remain available on two budget-priced sets. Since the BSO plays with a palpably lusher sound than the LSO, many listeners may still prefer those recordings. But these newer performances have more powerful climaxes, and overall a more aggressive approach to the music which grabs the listener's attention more immediately, sometimes a very positive factor in enigmatic music like that of Sibelius. RCA's recording is amazingly fine. --Leslie Gerber
Syracuse Violinist | Syracuse, NY United States | 03/03/2003
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I know that Sir Collin Davis deserves much credit for his good work in championing the Music of Sibelius.
The Seven Symphonies are wonderful and still generally underappreciated works.
However, I couldn't help but find this recording a bit ponderous and dull.
Tempi are slow, articulation is flabby, and there is a general lack of passion and energy that this music requires.
The recordings of Paavo Berglund with the Helsinki Philharmonic are really beautiful and would be, I believe, a much better introduction to this music"
Bland
John Grabowski | USA | 08/07/2001
(2 out of 5 stars)
"There's no contest if you're trying to decide between this and the two Philips 2-fers: the Philips recordings are more flowing, better-recorded, and contain more drama and attention to the long line and long argument--so important in Sibelius. Based not just on these but his other recordings recently, Colin Davis seems to be softening in old age. Leslier Gerber's statement that these recordings are *more* aggressive baffles me. Compare literally any section side by side and you'll find the climaxes here more muted (the tympani is particularly dull and "thuddy"), the string-playing less taut, and the overall conception far less edgy. The sound is a little fuzzy too. When the complete set, plus overtures, tone poems and violin concerto can be had on Philips for about thirty bucks, there's no contest, and no reason this cycle was even necessary."
This one is not so bad.
Scott Marchington | La Pine, OR | 08/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I do not find these two symphonies to be slow or ponderous. The details of the music is allowed to come out. Sir Colin Davis simply did not pound out the details yet keeps the appropriate Sibelian architecture. I find this rendition to be a good balance between the strong and the delicate Sibelius. Perhaps too many listeners are expecting Finlandia. I recommend these two symphonies because they are accessible,charming, warm and entertaining."
A very good sixth and a less than satisfying second
G.D. | Norway | 06/02/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Colin Davis's first cycle of Sibelius symphonies was once highly acclaimed, but this second one received far more mixed reviews. And to be honest, no one coming to these masterpieces for the first time should start with these slightly idiosyncratic accounts - go for Vänskä or even Karajan or Bernstein. The second symphony starts auspiciously, however, with a rather broad view of the first movement, more concerned with the overall structure rather than particular details, but in the end very satisfying. The other movements do not fare as well - true, Davis has a firm grasp of the form and structure, and he paces the climaxes with a sure hand, but the romantic last movement, for instance, ends up sounding hollow and uninspired. Davis plays up the classical elements of the work, but at the expense of color, atmosphere and energy, and overall the music ends up sounding like a slightly anemic shadow of itself.
The sixth fares much better overall, and here Davis deep understanding of the works pay real dividends - eloquently shaped and paced, spirited and with an appropriate, slightly other-worldly sense of urgency. Indeed, this is one of the most satisfying versions around, and as such strongly recommended. RCA's recording is spacious, but slightly unbalanced it seems (without me being able to point out exactly how when listening to it). A mixed bag, then, but the version of the sixth here is really worthwhile."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1
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