This entry in BIS's projected 13-volume Sibelius Edition offers all of the popular tone poems as well as a few that are not so familiar, save for die-hard Sibelius collectors. Among these latter are Spring Song, The Dryad, The Bard, The Wood Nymph, and Cassazione (this last not really a tone poem, but never mind). Many of these works were previously released by BIS in recordings with Neeme Järvi and the Gothenburg Symphony, but the present collection largely offers newer recordings by Osmo Vänskä and the Lahti Symphony. Järvi's contribution to this set concerns Cassazione and Scènes historiques Nos. 1 & 2.

Given BIS's intention to record "every note he ever wrote", the collection also includes many of the composer's early attempts. Thus, we get two versions each of En Saga (1892 and 1902), The Oceanides, Finlandia, Cassazione, In memoriam, Dance-Intermezzo, Lemminkäinen and the Maidens of the Island, Lemminkäinen in Tuonela (one of which is a reconstruction), and three versions of Lemminkäinen's Return. Listening to these it's easy to conclude that Sibelius clearly knew best, as his final versions are uniformly superior to his early ones, which are less structurally cohesive despite the occasional novel idea.

The performances are superb, the one exception being Vänskä's Lemminkäinen Suite (final version). Here BIS would have done better to include Järvi's better played and better recorded version. It's an unfortunate choice that keeps this set from receiving the highest rating. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful collection that will provide many hours of pleasure, both to neophytes and to seasoned Sibelius lovers. The offer of 5-CDs for the price of 3 helps to make it well-nigh irresistible.

--Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday.com

ALSO AVAILABLE - Sibelius Edition Vol 2 - Chamber Music I