Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7 ~ Barbirolli [Box set, Original recording remastered]

Jean Sibelius (Composer), John Barbirolli (Conductor), Hallé Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Hallé Orchestra
• Conductor: John Barbirolli
• Composer: Jean Sibelius
• Audio CD (May 9, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 5
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• 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: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00003ZKRM
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,746 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Finlandia: Sym Poem Op.26

2. Karelia Ste Op.11: 1. Intermezzo

3. Karelia Ste Op.11: 2. Ballade

4. Karelia Ste Op.11: 3. Alla Marcia

See all 8 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Sym No.1 in e, Op.39: I. Andante, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico

2. Sym No.1 in e, Op.39: II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento)

3. Sym No.1 in e, Op.39: III. Scherzo (Allgro)

4. Sym No.1 in e, Op.39: IV. Finale: Quasi Una Fantasia (Andante - Allegro Molto)

See all 8 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Sym No.2 in D, Op.43: I. Allegretto

2. Sym No.2 in D, Op.43: II. Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato

3. Sym No.2 in D, Op.43: III. Vivacissimo

4. Sym No.2 in D, Op.43: IV. Finale (Allegro Moderato)

See all 7 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Sym No.5 in E Flat, Op.82: I. Tempo Molto Moderato - Allegro Moderato - Presto

2. Sym No.5 in E Flat, Op.82: II. Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto

3. Sym No.5 in E Flat, Op.82: III. Allegro Molto - Un Pochettino Largamente

4. Pelleas Et Melisande - Ste From The Incidental Music, Op.46: 1. At The Castle Gate

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 5

1. Scenes Historiques - Stes I & II: All' Overtura Op.25 No.1

2. Scenes Historiques - Stes I & II: The Hunt Op.66 No.1

3. Scenes Historiques - Stes I & II: Scena Op.25 No.2

4. Rakastava, Op.14: 1. The Lover

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid Sibelius, July 27, 2001

By 

George N. Fabian (Mountainside, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7 ~ Barbirolli (Audio CD)

Besides being a superb interpreter of Delius, Elgar and Vaughan Williams Barbirolli shows himself in this set to be a most worthy Sibelian. Some may complain that his tempi are slow at times but Barbirolli never fails to make these symphonies interesting and often gloriously inspiring. A big plus is the crystal clear sound; you can really hear those woodwinds (so important in Sibelius) and what an impact those cellos make at the beginning of the bleak and somber 4th symphony. There is also a generous allotment of some of the shorter pieces. Whether this is a top choice will depend on the listener but I think it holds its own against some of the top choices out there including Davis--Boston Symphony (Philips Duo) and Ashkenazy--Philharmonia (London).

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Collection!!!, January 24, 2004

By 

Ravi (CHENNAI,INDIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7 ~ Barbirolli (Audio CD)

I have this set of splendid Sibelius Symphonies for over a year now.I consider myself lucky to have stumbled upon choosing this set ahead of other more "Reputed"performances by TOP Orchestras under Great Conductors.I have been listening to this set for over a year and the least i can say is that it is nothing short of a Revelation.No other conductor or orchestra matches Sir John Barbirolli's understanding and Passionate intensity(sorry Eugene Ormandy,Leonard Bernstein,Mariss Janson)in these performances with the Halle Orchestra.The Halle Orchestra perform splendidly individually as well as collectively,The strings have an intensity ,the woodwinds have an ethereal character and the Brass are quite simply Majestic.Barbirolli brings out the Heroics,the passionate intensity,the poignance,the Mystical quality,the gay abandon and folklike singing quality in these marvellous orchestral works of Sibelius.The pacing is just right ,lingering in passages of great beauty like in the slow movement of the Fifth Symphony,moving with urgency when required.The music is ever flowing in a seamless way and not just pieced together with studied musicianship.The orchestra breathes a free air with an element of spontaneous music making.
Remember how Bruno Walter turned out splendid performances of Beethoven and Brahms Symphonies with a handpicked Columbia sympony Orchestra!Quite the same here.I am yet to listen to Sir Colin Davis Boston Symphony Orchestra's Performances of these works.I am not sure whether they will measure upto this splendid performance by Sir John.It is not about efficiency or discipline.It is all about BEING INSPIRED!!!Sir John Barbirolli and his splendid Halle Orchestra Musicians are on a different plane,the rarefied realms of the spirit!Noble and Sublime.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A highly personalized tribute to a composer he loved, April 21, 2008

By 

Larry VanDeSande - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7 ~ Barbirolli (Audio CD)

Sir John Barbirolli (1899-1970) established the greatness of Mancester's Halle' Orchestra during his 28 years as their principal conductor from his 1943 appointment to his 1970 death. An London of Cockney birth, Barbirolli was linked to relatively few composers in his long career with Sibelius being one of those he most loved. His style was to personalize music, not merely to condcut it. While not as wayward in style as the likes of Leopold Stokowski or Nikolaus Harnoncourt, who could (and do) infuriate listeners with their personalizations, Barbirolli was more akin to Leonard Bernstein.

As he showed in his highly personal recordings of the Beethoven "Eroica" symphony and Elgar's Symphony No. 2, Barbirolli conducted with relatively slow tempi and asked his orchestra to voice the music differently than others. Both those characteristics are apparent in these recordings of the seven Sibelius symphonies and extracts from his other orchestral works.

I bought this set especially to hear what Barbirolli would do with the Symponies 3, 4 and 6 -- especially the latter of the trio. I am pleased to say Barbirolli is as good an exponent of the symphonies as the other reviewers here would lead you to believe. He focused on the woodwind voicing more so than the strings or brass, giving these often quiet and introspective scores a slightly different sound world than other conductors. He is just as good in the bigger and more romantic Symphonies 1, 2 and 5, as well, with his rendering of Symphony 2 being a special triumph.

I can't say I was as impressed by all the other music in this box as some around here. In particular the first disk of the set that includes the warhorses Finlandia, Karelia suite, Swan of Tuonela and Lemminkainen's Return, were not as propulsive or effective as recordings I've heard from other conductors incluidng Ormandy. Still, they add a lot to your understanding of both the way Barbirolli views this composer and your appreciation of the Halle' Orchestra, whose members play exceptionally throughtout.

For me, this was my first exposure to some of the other music recorded here including the Scenes Historiques and Rakastava selections. With early opus numbers (25 and 14, respectively) these come from the composer's earlier romantic days before the Russian takeover and his own drinking turned him -- and his later music -- somber and moody. While Sibelius represent an icier Scandanavian landscape in later opi, these represent the romantic Fin at his best.

The symphonies are the main course on this menu and they are universally pleasing to the ear, head and heart in this recordings made in London's Kingsway Hall. This collection lets you know what a splendid conductor Barbirolli was, what a splendid orchestra he developed in the Halle', and what a wonderful recording venue was Kingsway Hall. All things considered, aside from a few disappointments, this is a cherishable collection.