Sibelius: Symphony No. 2; Pohjola's Daughter [Hybrid SACD] [Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import]

Jean Sibelius (Composer), Colin Davis (Conductor), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Colin Davis
• Composer: Jean Sibelius
• Audio CD (May 8, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import
• Label: Lso Live UK
• ASIN: B000O78IX0
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,953 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pohjola's Daughter

2. Allegretto

3. Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato

4. Vivacissimo

5. Finale: Allegro Moderato

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It may be the best Second that I have heard., May 16, 2007

By 

A. Grishin "sser2" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sibelius: Symphony No. 2; Pohjola's Daughter [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)

Together with the Violin Concerto, the Second is the most performed of large scale Sibelius works. There are over 100 recordings in existence; 7 of them available on SACD. Many conductors willing to venture into Sibelius have chosen the Second, for a reason. It is quintessential, a manifesto of Sibelius' style. Cold yet herart-wrenching, mysterious yet passionate, exquisitely crafted yet defying the canons of symphonic writing. The symphony has so many faces that there is no single performance that would give it full justice.

Colin Davis is one of the most dedicated Sibelius conductors. He has recorded two complete symphony cycles, one with Boston, the other with LSO. In addition, he has a recording of the Second with Staatskapelle Dresden. Currently, he is recording his third cycle, with LSO, as the previous one; 3,5,6 and 7 have already been released.

This Second was recorded in October 2006. It is remarkable. It is not like anything else. Sir Colin strived to achieve the impossible: to reveal in a single performance the seemingly irreconcilable aspects of this music. He largely succeeded. Entrancing, hypnotizing mystery is there from the beginning to the end. The passion and vigor are there too: although generally tempos are on the slower side, the expressiveness is achieved by firm line and calculated yet hair rising crescendos. The chilling despair of the second movement is utterly convincing. Needless to say it has all the requisites of Sibelius style: crystal clear detail, transparency, balance, synthetic sonorities. This performance is closest to the ideal of all I have ever heard (I have 90 different recordings of this work).

The engineering by Jonathan Stokes of Classical Sound is above praise. Although this is a live performance, there is no audience noise. The ambience in 5 channel playback is incredible. Enchantment, sonic bliss.

On a side note, it goes to show how recording scene is changing to the benefit of music lovers. LSO and other orchestras, Royal Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, or Concertgebouw, to name a few, issue their records on their own labels. Live recordings can be made as good as studio ones. Big labels with their tendency to create personality cults are no longer necessary. However, what's necessary is performances that are not like anything before. The ones with new insight and superior execution. The ones that customers will buy despite them having past recordings of the same work.

4.0 out of 5 stars Comparing this to Davis' previous RCA account, August 4, 2011

By 

Andrew R. Barnard (Leola, Pa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sibelius: Symphony No. 2; Pohjola's Daughter [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)

Sir Colin Davis is apparently a real fan of Sibelius. After releasing his complete symphonies with the LSO for RCA in the 90's, he's returned to them once more with the same orchestra, offering us live readings on the LSO Live label. I own both his LSO attempts at the 2nd symphony, so I thought I might write a review comparing the two, especially for those who are trying to decide between the two.

The RCA reading of this symphony was one that took advantage of the rich, deep sound of the LSO. Davis relied heavily on that sound there; it was big and brassy, and full of the rich texture that makes this orchestra famous. But what I missed in that account was a feeling of love for the music. While everything was technically perfect, it often sounded forced and a bit unsympathetic. While the brass shined in superficial brilliance, it often ended up sounding like a lot of exciting noise. All in all, it wasn't bad, and some moments were real special, but overall I found much to be lacking.

This newer LSO Live account fares much better. Perhaps surprisingly, Davis has become more animated and involved with his increased age. There is something about the LSO's dark quality that makes it well suited to Sibelius, a composer whose music is descriptive of the cold, dark forests of his Finland. This quality was strongly apparent in the RCA reading, but it's equally present here. While the climaxes don't have the bite that they had in the RCA account, I hardly mind, as Davis brings much more beauty out here. In fact, part of the problem in the RCA recording was that Davis tended to surround the listener with an almost harsh bigness of sound when you really wanted something more heart touching. Here you get plenty of heart touching material. What's more, the LSO seems to let loose more. I actually pick up on much more detail and the end result is about twice as thrilling. While there were some special moments in the RCA account, almost everything I liked about it can be said about this one too, plus a whole lot more.

This is not to say that this release is perfect. As beautiful and inspiring as it is, one could ask for a bit more passion and sweep, particularly in the finale. Karajan knows everything about this, as his EMI recording with the Berliners reveals. There are times when Davis seems to miss his chance to let everything loose. But these are only quibbles. The love Davis has for the music is so heartfelt that I could almost increase my rating to 5 stars.

And before I forget, I should comment on the Pohjola's Daughter that is also included on this disc. The interpretation is really a success, good enough to stand next to the wonderful 2nd symphony that will follow it. Opening with a stunning solo cello, this symphonic poem is full of hair-raising drama that Davis seems to have totally under his grasp. The LSO plays with great vitality, wonderfully responding to Davis' touches. I can't say anything but good about it.

In closing, this is a wonderful performance that captures the darkness of Sibelius' music while still being interesting and beautiful, even if there could be more sweep. And if you're trying to decide between this and the RCA interpretation, grab this one. You won't regret it.