March listening project: Sibelius Symphony no. 5

[Diapason]

Is the earlier version of Symphony 5 included in the BIS "Essential Sibelius" box set?

[Seán]

Is the earlier version of Symphony 5 included in the BIS "Essential Sibelius" box set?

No it isn't I'm afraid. The only person that I know of who has the earlier version is Ciaran and he doesn't like the Sibelius Symphonic repertoire, or at least he didn't until quite recently.
The Essential Sibelius is a great set at a terrific price.

[bombasticDarren]

^^ a wonderful choice and one that I might have made myself!

[ravel30]

Now I'm in a quandary: buy a single disc, or buy a 15 disc box set...

this is proving to be a very expensive forum for you, isn't it, my friend! lol.

I'm quite sure there will be many recommendations given, but if you want a good yet inexpensive boxset of his 7 symphonies, then these are both under £11 inc P&P:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sibelius-Sympho ... 632&sr=1-6

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sibelius-Comple ... 746&sr=1-7

the truly fine sets including; Vanska, Berglund, Jaavi, Segerstam and Blomstedt are all available, but a little more expensive.

Those are great recommendations that I strongly support. I know that I bought the complete Sibelius symphonies played by the Lahti Symphony orchestra conducted by Vanska for 10 cdn dollars on iTunes (so digital music if you are into it). I couldn't believe it when I saw that on iTunes. I felt like I stole something :).

The Blomstedt cycle is also very good. My first exposure to that piece was that particular naxos cd:



That was back from back in the days when you could by a naxos cd for 7 cdn dollars.

Matt.

[ravel30]

^^ a wonderful choice and one that I might have made myself!

I have told you this before on the other forum Darren but I will mention it again here. You are as close as possible to be my classical music soulmate. I have never met another cm fan who has taste as similar to mind. You got me a few months ago when you listened to all those John Adams cds.

Matt.

[ravel30]

I am very happy by the interest of everyone so far. Ever since I posted that I have been eager to tell you what my other options were just to show you how difficult my choice was. I hope that I am not too much ahead of myself so far and really wish to wait until March 1st until writing anything otherwise I am afraid that everything would have been written by that date :) .

I plan to write one more informative thread shortly before March 1st.

Kind regards,

Matt.

[ravel30]

For those of you who do not have a copy of this or have never heard it before or who know the work well but would like to hear a new version, feel free to listen to the following videos found on youtube:

- A live version of 1979 with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paavo Berglund (one of the greatest Sibelius conductor in my opinion)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGP6IlXS_Ms&feature=fvst


- Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra (I really really like this conductor and I think that he is very talented)

First movement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGvkjd71qSQ

Second movement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYbf4okvnJU

Third movement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkzrSZKA4cM


And you can find many more on youtube.

[fergus]

I am very happy by the interest of everyone so far. Ever since I posted that I have been eager to tell you what my other options were just to show you how difficult my choice was. I hope that I am not too much ahead of myself so far and really wish to wait until March 1st until writing anything otherwise I am afraid that everything would have been written by that date :) .

Matt.

I admire your enthusiasm Matt....keep it up!!

[bombasticDarren]

^^ Good to know you will give us plenty to sink out teeth into Matt!

I have played that Salonen YouTube recording a few times over the years already myself!

[bombasticDarren]

Early stages I know, but do you have a preferred recording of the piece yourself Matt?