Customer Reviews

Sibelius: Finlandia, Karelia Suite / Tapiola

5 star:		(1)
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I am delighted that some of the mono treasures in the Deutsche Grammophon vaults have been released in the "DG Originals" series, in spite of the fact that they probably don't sell very well. This is one of the few times that the great conductor Hans Rosbaud recorded for DG, and he is in fine form with the ever-powerful Berlin Philharmonic. Despite this, I am giving this title only four stars and here's why. While I love vintage mono recordings, many people don't, and Sibelius is a composer that particularly benefits from the advent of stereo, though not necessarily digital (does anybody?!). The timbre of the brass and the overall lushness of the scores are important Sibelian traits, best suited to stereo's enhanced aural separation. While this is a collector's gem, those looking for their one-and-only copy of Sibelius orchestral nuggets should find a stereo title.

Rosbaud made several important recordings with the Berlin Philarmonic. His Haydn is an example (The Oxford is a must to have it).
And even his conception of Sibelius's music may be troubled for many listeners, please try with Tapiola op. 112.
This work is one of the less played in Concerts and even in studio recordings.
The special commitment that Rosbaud got with Tapiola is hard to believe. Its inner passion, the increased tension among the strings section and above all these obscure themes depicted by the winds are so clear defined and drawn by this conductor like no one else before and fifty years later.
Segerstam makes a very close approach but the orchestra has not the carats of Berlin Philarmonic an that's a real trouble.
You need a first class orchestra if you want to be a winner playing Sibelius. And this statement goes for Bruckner, Beethoven, Brahms and Wagner.
Buy this record.
Tapiola is the jewel of the crown.

Most famous as a champion of new music, Hans Rosbaud was, apart from Karajan, one of few conductors who championed the music of Sibelius in the post-war years. The present disc encompasses the recordings he made with the Berlin Philharmonic in the 1950s, and it is an interesting one, showcasing Rosbaud's sense of accuracy and ability to sustain drama and shape climaxes - even if the performances lack the kind of focus on beauty of sound associated with Karajan. The sound quality is good and clear and warm, if somewhat dry and distant, mono.

In general all the works here come across well, full of atmosphere and unerringly paced. But the real find on the disc is his Tapiola, which is truly dark and mysterious, almost terrifying in its restrained, smoldering power. This is, then, perhaps not a mainstream disc, but it is very much recommended as a disc to stand beside the Karajan and Koussevitzky ones when it comes to Sibelius's final masterpiece.