Notes and Editorial Reviews
Recorded in the mid-1970s with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, this classic cycle of symphonies and tone poems firmly established Sir Colin Davis’s reputation as one of the greatest Sibelius interpreters. Nearly forty years on and the cycle remains as grand and dynamic as ever.
Recorded in the mid-1970s with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, this classic cycle of symphonies and tone poems firmly established Sir Colin Davis’s reputation as one of the greatest Sibelius interpreters. Nearly forty years on and the cycle remains as grand and dynamic as ever. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Symphony no 1 in E minor, Op. 39 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1899; Finland
2.
Symphony no 4 in A minor, Op. 63 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1911; Finland
3.
Symphony no 2 in D major, Op. 43 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1901-1902; Finland
4.
Symphony no 5 in E flat major, Op. 82 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1915/1919; Finland
5.
Symphony no 3 in C major, Op. 52 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1907; Finland
Date of Recording: 1976
6.
Symphony no 6 in D minor, Op. 104 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1923; Finland
7.
Symphony no 7 in C major, Op. 105 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1924; Finland
8.
Concerto for Violin in D minor, Op. 47 by Jean Sibelius
Performer:
Salvatore Accardo (Violin)
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1903-1905; Finland
9.
Finlandia, Op. 26 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: Finland
10.
Tapiola, Op. 112 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1926; Finland
11.
Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22: no 3, Swan of Tuonela by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1893-1897; Finland
12.
Pohjola's daughter, Op. 49 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1906; Finland
13.
Kuolema: Valse triste, Op. 44 no 1 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1903-1904; Finland
14.
Karelia Suite, Op. 11 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1893; Finland
15.
En saga, Op. 9 by Jean Sibelius
Conductor:
Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1892/1902; Finland
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 1 Customer Review )
Finest Sibelius 4th on disc! June 13, 2012
By Gerald T. Hawhee (Cantril, IA) See All My Reviews
"I originally collected this excellent cycle on Philips LPs back in the early 1980s. These were available on CD for many years in the Philips Duo series; but I was not particularly impressed with the quality of the re-mastering, especially as it did not seem to do proper justice to the broad grandeur of Davis' conception or the stunning virtuoisty of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Davis' subsequent recordings of this music with the London Symphony on RCA are magnificent, indeed; but even with digital sound they do not outshine the earlier cycle in any way, and in the case of the 4th Symphony, the BSO rendition still takes the laurel. Seldom has there been such a lucid, purposeful performance, with such a clear understanding of the spatial aspects of the music, and a single-minded elucidation of Sibelius' stunning long lines. Decca's generous, warm remastering of these recordings is absolutely first rate; the sound is powerful and clear, the music as scintilating and delicious as the first time I heard it some thirty years ago. Amid a field of so many worthy competitors (Vanska, Karajan, Jarvi, Barbirolli, even Davis himself) this set is one to seek out and treasure. Recommended unreservedly."
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