from Symphony No.1, including a complete version of the third movement ; from Symphony No.2 ; from Symphony No.3, including a complete version of the second movement ; from Symphony No.4, including a complete version of the second movement; from Symphony No.7
In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.
June sees the release of the penultimate instalment of BIS’ Sibelius Edition, and here we return to a genre for which he is particularly celebrated, namely the symphonic.
The Seven Symphonies are undisputed treasures of 20th-century music which have fascinated great conductors and international audiences alike. They are here presented in performances by Osmo Vänskä, described in American Record Guide as ‘the Sibelius interpreter de nos jours’, and the eminent Lahti Symphony Orchestra, for whom he was principal conductor for 20 years.
The full symphonies are complemented by alternative versions and fragments which provide a fascinating background to the final versions. The most substantial of these is the original version of Symphony No.5, available only in this recording, which upon its original release in 1996 received a Gramophone Award for its technical qualities and was described as ‘one of the most important and above all interesting records to have appeared for many years’ by the same reviewer.
Also unique to this edition are the recordings of the remaining supplementary material, made under the supervision of the violinist and conductor Jaakko Kuusisto and released here for the first time.
Sibelius expert Andrew Barnett also guides us through this central chapter in Sibelius’ œuvre – an edition not to be missed !
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39
I. Andante, ma non troppo - Allegro energico
II. Andante (ma non troppo lento)
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Finale (Quasi una Fantasia): Andante - Allegro molto
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43
I. Allegretto
II. Tempo Andante, ma rubato
III. Vivacissimo
IV. Finale: Allegro moderato
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 52
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andantino con moto, quasi allegretto
III. Moderato - Allegro (ma non tanto)
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63
I. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio
II. Allegro molto vivace
III. Il tempo largo
IV. Allegro
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82
I. Tempo tranquillo assai
II. Allegro commodo
III. Andante mosso
IV. Allegro commodo - Largamente molto
I. Tempo molto moderato - Allegro moderato
II. Andante mosso, quasi allegretto
III. Allegro molto - Largamente assai
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104
I. Allegro molto moderato
II. Allegretto moderato
III. Poco vivace
IV. Allegro molto
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 105
Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 105
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39 (Turku Sibelius Museum manuscript) (fragments)
I. Andante - Allegro: bars 1-40
II. Andante (ma non troppo lento): bars 1-56
III. Scherzo
IV. Finale (Quasi una Fantasia): 35 bars starting at W
IV. Finale (Quasi una Fantasia): final 54 bars (from 2 before U)
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 (Turku Sibelius Museum manuscript) (fragments)
I. Allegretto moderato: bars 1-54
II. Molto largamente - Andante sostenuto: 62 bars starting at D
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 52 (manuscript HUL 0232, HUL 0230) (fragments)
I. bars 1-32
I. bars 1-44
II. Andantino con moto
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63 (manuscript HUL 0304) (fragments)
II. Allegro molto vivace - Doppio piu lento
IV. Finale: bars 1-59
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 105 (manuscript HUL 0354, HUL 0353) (fragments)
First alternative ending, starting at Y
Second alternative ending, starting at Y
October 2011
“Taken together, this is a comprehensively original cycle, revealing without being controversial, direct in utterance yet precisely calculated. It is certainly, in my view, the finest survey of the past three decades...Splendid sound makes this indispensable for all devotees of Sibelius.”
The Arts Desk
9th July 2011
“Vänskä’s accounts of the published symphonies are regarded by many as definitive. He’s at his best in Sibelius’s sparer, sparser moments – the Fourth and Sixth are sleek and otherworldly, and the leaner Lahti sound makes the First and Second sound more radical and forward-looking. Nice artwork and informative notes too.”
Click here for alternative recordings of this work.
I. Andante, ma non troppo - Allegro energico
