Customer Reviews

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a beautiful CD in every way, and my first exposure to the LSO LIVE label. I am familiar with this label only from reviews I've read in AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE of Sir Colin Davis's recordings of Berlioz operas, Symphonie fantastique, Harold in Italy, this Sibelius disc, and Sibelius Symphonies 3 and 7. I am very impressed with the whole production: the graphics/design of the disc cover, insert, and program notes on the music and conductor. The disc inside, too, does not disappoint. Both sound and playing are great in this, Sir Colin's most recent Sibelius 5 and 6.

Davis is no stranger to Sibelius Symphonies, having recorded the complete cycle for Philips with the Boston Symphony (Duo Series, 2 double CD sets) in the late 1970s, and again with the London Symphony for RCA (available individually, and in a 7 disc set with other orchestral works). Now, LSO Live has released live concert performances of Symphonies 5 and 6; these are not the same as the RCA recordings. Davis uses lean orchestral textures, and taut, muscular phrasing resulting in Sibelius which is clear and fresh, like ice, or pure crystal: very beatiful and true to the spirit of Sibelius's music and his native Finland.

I have heard the Davis/Boston recording of these works, and here Sir Colin is clearly better in Symphony 5 than he was 25+ years earlier. Symphony 6, previously well played and recorded in Boston, is here very fine, yet different. I can't articulate why the more recent LSO recordings are superior; perhaps longer study with the works at hand, and the presence of a live audience has the London Symphony playing at a higher level than the Boston Symphony had in the studio in the late 1970s.

You can't go wrong with this: grab it while it's still available, and at an almost give away price to boot.

This is a wonderful album for a Sibelius fan or any lover of classical music. The sound quality is fabulous, capturing a marvelous performance with crystal clarity. The liner notes are very informative, too!

Critics are hailing Sir Colin Davis's ongoing cycle of Sibelius's symphonies as his best (I saw a very favorable review of this recording in The New York Times over a month ago.), eclipsing in quality his critically acclaimed recordings with the London Symphony (RCA) and Boston Symphony (Philips). I haven't heard the CD of the 3rd and 7th symphonies, but am eager to hear it, after hearing these splendid live recordings. Sibelius was one of the few composers who wrote evocatively of nature repeatedly. His most "pastoral" symphony has to be the 5th symphony, with a recurring motif based on swan calls repeating through all three movements. Here Sir Colin Davis does an excellent job capturing the lyrical, dramatic aspects of the score with the London Symphony Orchestra. The more traditional 6th symphony is also well played. LSO Live sound engineers - or rather, those contracted to the LSO - have produced yet another well-balanced live recording that is as fine as any from a recording studio.

As the piece that first got me interested in classical music, the fifth symphony of Sibelius naturally holds a dear place in my heart. This is my second recording of the fifth, and my first time hearing te sixth, which I also have grown to like, as well. The first recording I had was a used copy of Lorin Maazel and the Pittsburgh Symphony playing the fourth and fifth, though I like this one of the fifth and sixth better. The London Symphony's playing is top-notch in this recording, and Sir Colin Davis leads them on in a thrilling interpretation of Sibelius' masterpiece. As others have mentioned, however, it is (barely) possible to hear Sir Colin humming along in the background, and may be annoying to some individuals, although in my opinion it's not too noticeable. Overall, I would say that this is a stunning album of these two works, and would be a great addition to any classical-music-lover's library. These "LSO Live" recordings seem to be of the finest nature, and I eagerly look forward to purchasing more of them in the near future.

[Updated for timeliness and extended remarks on March 27, 2009]

With the semi-chaos that's become of the recording industry, and as do a few prominent orchestras nowadays, the London Symphony Orchestra is producing and distributing live recordings on their own label. This is the first installment of what has become Sir Colin Davis' third complete recorded cycle of Sibelius' symphonies, the last two with the LSO.

Unfortunately, for much of the popular Symphony No. 5 it's "Hum Along with Sir Colin". Though it's become something of a given throughout Davis' vast discography, I've never heard his humming as disconcertingly conspicuous as here! One might be able to overlook it in the face of an overwhelmingly convincing performance, but the truth is that Davis doesn't necessarily convey a special affinity for this stirring and monumental score. The performance is certainly enjoyable enough -- tuneful, mostly fleet of pace, powerful when need be, and confidently played with an evident savvy emanating from the podium -- but it's hardly as gripping, penetrating, and memorable as those of Bernstein and Karajan, who in my estimation still reign supreme in this work, even when compared to the recent spate of fine native Finnish and Scandinavian performances on CD.

The performance of No. 6 here, however, has become one of my personal favorites. This knotty score is seemingly the bane of many Sibelian interpreters, but Davis and the LSO winningly render an optimistic and well-balanced reading from beginning to end. The delightfully disarming poco vivace third movement, a favorite Sibelian concoction of this listener, is especially fetching here. An effective performance of this symphony seemingly hinges on artful tempo relations and the all-important dynamic balance between strings and winds; here it's well-nigh perfect -- and Davis' humming is mercifully held in check!

Overall, I do love the performances on this CD. The acoustic of the Barbican live performance recording venue is decidedly dry, but it complements Davis' mostly cerebral take on these two symphonies. If one can manage to inure themself to the conductor's "verbal accompaniment" in No. 5, these are most enjoyable.

This is the finest performance of the Fifth I've heard to date. Davis seems to have really understood the music. As was common practice when in the early decades of the 20th century [and striking contrary to the current fad know as HIP ("historically informed performance practice"), which, at least in Siblelius, is exactly the opposite], Davis engages in some rubati at key points. Together with his dynamic shading, this makes the music come alive as no other performance has, in my experience. And, he's the only conductor to make the second movement sound fully symphonic and integrated with the rest of the work. Unlike many, he makes the dissonant seconds in the movement sound purposeful, rather than merely grating.

There are a few very minor negative points. Overall playing, while fine, isn't quite at the super level of polish you may find in some other recordings [this one's "live", after all]; but for me, that just makes the listening experience even more involving; indeed, more genuine. Also, Davis sings along quite a bit, mostly in the first movement, which I could do without.

Finally, some professional reviewer, probably with inferior audio equipment, complained that the recorded sound was distant and pale. I found the opposite to be true.

I was not too familiar with Sibelius before listening to this CD. It's wonderful. I think the music will be accessible and appealing even to those who may not be classical music fans. Do you enjoy dramatic movie scores? Think along those lines.

I don't know why I'm such a fan of Sibelius, but there's simply no other composer who can create the same kind of dark atmosphere that he can. And Sir Colin Davis has shown consistent individuality in his LSO Live set of the symphonies, with a strong feeling of love for the works that never leaves. You can make Sibelius all about darkness, but Davis sees light beyond all the watery forests that I find intensely moving. In this disc, featuring the 5th and 6th symphonies, I feel that he makes a successful case for the works, even though I have a few reservations that will be explained below.

The 5th symphony, as different as it is from the second, shows strong patriotic sentiments. More than ever one feels as if though they've stepped into Finland on a cold, cloudy day. It's easy for a conductor to get lost in all the fog, but Davis doesn't. While one still catches the mood of Sibelius' home country, Davis knows how make sense of it all, never letting things become overpowered, even in the climaxes. Sibelius can seem difficult to grasp, but Davis has made this symphony instantly attractive, reveling in the rich orchestral sound. My reservations are caused by the fact that Davis can seem a bit laid back, sometimes overly cautious. In his attempt to eschew chaos, there are times when he holds back. To be honest, I've never heard anyone perform Sibelius in a way that I thought met the full potential contained in these scores. Comparing this to my Karajan/EMI recording of the work with the Berliners, I feel that Karajan goes a little far in the other direction. Where Davis holds back, Karajan can become too overblown. I'm still looking for a recording of this symphony that I can recommend without reservations, but I'll be quick to admit that Davis has probably come closer than most. This certainly is a beautiful reading.

I have fewer reservations about Davis' rendition of the 6th. Personally, if I were forced to choose my favorite of all the Sibelius symphonies, this would be it. Words can't describe this elusive work; I'll just say that if you don't know this piece, it's about time. Davis is perfectly at home in this gorgeous symphony. Other than my wish that the woodwinds be stronger, there's nothing to complain about. This is the most beautiful string playing I've ever heard from this orchestra. From the misty stillness of the opening chords all the way to the equally still end, there is always a very wide, open feel, one that is never present to the same extent in any of the other symphonies--it's almost impressionistic. Sibelius described his symphony as "clear, cold water", and it could not be more pure. Davis has more insight in this symphony than in the 5th, keeping all the excitement in while still honoring the wishes of the composer by retaining the elements of clear water. Music is immaterial, but Davis creates such perfect music that you feel as if though you can just reach out and touch the sparkling water. That's not to say that the performance is one of mere perfection. There's meaning behind all the perfection that enables Davis to soar high above any restraints. This symphony is a journey, with many tosses and turns, and Davis prevents things from becoming chaotic while still making each moment special. You'll want to cry when it's all over.

In closing, this is a great disc. I've been so tempted to chalk my rating to 5 stars that I've decided on a compromise: 4 ½ stars, representing 4 stars for the 5th and 5 for the 6th. There's certainly enough on this disc to provide hours of sheer listening pleasure.