Sibelius: The Seven Symphonies [Box Set] [Box set, Import]

Jean Sibelius (Composer), Simon Rattle (Conductor), City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Philharmonia Orchestra of London (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra of London
• Conductor: Simon Rattle
• Composer: Jean Sibelius
• Audio CD (November 5, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000002S34
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,786 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. I. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo-Allegro Energico

2. II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento)

3. III. Scherzo (Allegro)

4. IV. Finale: Quasi Una Fantasia (Andante - Allegro Molto)

5. The Oceanides (Aallottaret) Op. 73

Disc: 2

1. I. Allegretto

2. II. Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato

3. III. Vivacissimo

4. IV. Finale (Allegro Moderato)

5. I. Allegro Moderato

See all 7 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. I. Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagio

2. II. Allegro Molto Vivace

3. III. II Tempo Largo

4. IV. Allegro

5. I. Allegro Molto Moderato

See all 8 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. I. Tempo Molto Moderato-Allegro Moderato-Presto - Philharmonia Orchestra

2. II. Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto

3. III. Allegro Molto-Un Pochettino Largamente

4. Scene With Cranes (From Kuolema Op. 44)

5. Adagio

See all 9 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A highly desirable set, January 26, 2004

By 

"brtherjohn" (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sibelius: The Seven Symphonies [Box Set] (Audio CD)

There is a lot of competition out there. The big Paavo Berglund box set seems to have it all on EMI. Then, there is the excellent Davis/BSO set on Philips - not to mention his newer LSO cycle on RCA. Rattle has some unique touches not found in other cycles so he can't not be easily dismissed. He's a bitter smoother around the edges as compared to the Davis/BSO. But he brings out the romantism more. The Birmingham forces play wonderfully and are all excellently recorded - in fact - better engineered than any of the competition.
Perhaps to make this set more competitive (because it is rather expensive), EMI should have tried to squeeze all 7 of the symphonies onto 3 discs. I always felt that Philips should have done the same for Davis/BSO set. That way, the price could have been trimmed down to under $30.
(All the same, it makes one wish that Ormandy and Karajan should have completed their Sibelius cycles during their lifetimes!)

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Major Ups and Downs, April 20, 2009

By 

Music Is Everything "Music Is Everything" (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sibelius: The Seven Symphonies [Box Set] (Audio CD)

I'm a fan of Simon Rattle and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, so I wasn't surprised when this complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies was getting attention in the press. The actual experience, however, is a mixed bag. Generally, the performances are very good and Rattle demonstrates a fine understanding of these works, but any worthwhile interpreter of Sibelius symphonies must get the Second Symphony (his most popular) right. Sadly, the Second Symphony in this set is terrible--poorly played and interpreted all around. So if this set is your choice, I strongly recommend picking up another recording of the Second (like the Cleveland Orchestra with Yoel Levi conducting) and leave Rattle's Second on the shelf.