Sibelius: Symphonies 1 & 2 / Violin Concerto / Finlandia

Jean Sibelius (Composer), Eugene Ormandy (Conductor), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), Leopold Stokowski (Conductor), Richard Hickox (Conductor), Thomas Schippers (Conductor), New York Philharmonic (Orchestra), Philadelphia Orchestra (Orchestra), National Philharmonic (Orchestra), London Symphony (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, National Philharmonic, London Symphony
• Conductor: Eugene Ormandy, Leonard Bernstein, Leopold Stokowski, Richard Hickox, Thomas Schippers
• Composer: Jean Sibelius
• Audio CD (November 18, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029YV
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,970 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #67 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Tone Poems
  • #73 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Modern & 20th Century
  • #87 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Forms & Genres > Symphonies

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39: I. Andante, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico - National Philharmonic Orchestra

2. Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39: II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento) - National Philharmonic Orchestra

3. Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39: III. Scherzo. Allegro - National Philharmonic Orchestra

4. Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39: IV. Finale Quasi una Fantasia. Andante - Allegro Molto - National Philharmonic Orchestra

5. Lemminkäinen Suite: Four Legends from the Kalevala, for orchestra, Op. 22: No. 3, The Swan of Tuonela - Michael Winfield

6. Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47: Allegro moderato - Zino Francescatti

7. Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47: Adagio di molto - Zino Francescatti

8. Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47: Allegro, ma non tanto - Zino Francescatti

Disc: 2

1. Finlandia, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 26 - London Symphony Orchestra

2. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43: Allegretto - New York Philharmonic

3. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43: Tempo Andante Ma Rubato - New York Philharmonic

4. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43: Vivacissimo - New York Philharmonic

5. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43: Finale. Allegro Moderato - New York Philharmonic

6. Valse triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1 - Philadelphia Orchestra

7. Karelia Suite, for orchestra, Op. 11: No. 1, Intermezzo - Philadelphia Orchestra

8. Karelia Suite, for orchestra, Op. 11: No. 2, Ballade - Philadelphia Orchestra

9. Karelia Suite, for orchestra, Op. 11: No. 3, Alla marcia - Philadelphia Orchestra

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Let's call it fifty/fifty., June 12, 2003

By 

Jeffrey Lee (Asheville area, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sibelius: Symphonies 1 & 2 / Violin Concerto / Finlandia (Audio CD)

Like some of the other reviewers, I am inclined also to rate this compilation mixed fare. I would consider purchase of this two cd set only if it was available at a bargain price. To begin with, I find Thomas Schippers' Sibelius Second hard to take seriously. It seems to be an exercise in theatrics more than anything else. On the other hand, Stokowski's Sibelius First is one of the best performances this work has ever been given. He demonstrates tautness and clarity and an attention to detail that is extremely satisfying. There is also boldness and adventuressness, and not least of all a very pleasing sense of atmosphere. My only disappointment comes in the second movement, where in the quieter pastoral sections I find Stokowski's pace a little too slow, though I still appreciate the attractiveness he displays. In the Sibelius Violin Concerto, Francescatti and Bernstein offer some pleasing moments, though the idiomatic and atmospheric elements are a little shortchanged. Despite this, Francescatti realizes some nicely expressive tonal shadings and accents. A different sort of performance from Heifetz and Oistrakh, but one that stands well on its own merit. Otherwise, I find Hickox's Finlandia presentation somewhat wayward. We should have been given Ormandy's solid and moving version with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, although I could have done without his views here on Valse Triste and the Karelia Suite, especially the latter, which would have benefitted from a livelier, more atmospheric approach.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little comment !, August 30, 2004

By 

Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sibelius: Symphonies 1 & 2 / Violin Concerto / Finlandia (Audio CD)

The Second Symphony is a real gem of that overwhelming conductor like Thomas Schippers was. Even if I do not agree with the timings due I guess are extremely contemplative.Nevertheless, it has personality and expressiveness .

The jewel of the crown is the first symphony conducted by Stoky, one of the best in the market .

The Sibelius violin concerto remains in the top list of the ten greatets performances in any age . Warmth and poetic rendition .

Finlandia is irrelevant .

So think about the options, because this buy is worthable for the expossed reasons.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not essential for Sibelians, April 4, 2000

By 

Michael S. Holmes (Washington D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sibelius: Symphonies 1 & 2 / Violin Concerto / Finlandia (Audio CD)

I have heard countless recordings of the Sibelius symphonies, so from my perspective as a listener and as a conductor, I would recommend other recordings of these works. Firstly, the tempi in the recordings of the 1st and 2nd Symphonies are generally wrong. Sibelius was one of those composers who was particular about interpretations of his music, with only a slight flexibility. What Stokowski achieves, on the other hand, is a beautiful musical and emotional thread, as he always did. He brought out interesting harmonic balances and shadings in the "Swan of Tuonela" recording that many other recordings of the work lack. The Swan is obviously music that is perfectly suited to Stokowski's typical poetic treatment and wizardry. Zino Francescatti's recording of the Violin Concerto is actually quite good. Bernstein's accompaniment is lovingly dedicated. Bernstein ignores less of Sibelius's tempi here than he usually did. Francescatti is really in top form in this recording, and even though I'm not a big fan of mid-20th century styles of violin playing, I think that Francescatti displays a great deal of integrity, coupled with an obvious Mediterranean passion. This aesthetic is not too far removed from Sibelius's intent, since the composer frequently visited Italy around the time he wrote the work (The 2nd Symphony was actually composed in Italy). However, there's much of the Northern temperament in this work as well.

The recording of the 2nd Symphony is just wrong. Thomas Schippers had little understanding of Sibelius's music, in my opinion. The tempi are mostly incorrect, and the orchestral playing here is dull.

Overall, the recordings are interesting though.