Review by Luukas January 13, 2015 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Sir Colin Davis was great Sibelius interpreter, and his recordings got many acclaimed awards. Davis recorded three Sibelius cycles: first with Boston Symphony Orchestra and two others with London Symphony Orchestra. His last cycle - this is the first disc - was live from the Barbican Hall, London. I have many recordings of Sibelius First Symphony. My first introduction was Leif Segerstam's performance with Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (Ondine). This is also very good recording; it is dramatic and live concert's feeling comes very close by 5.0 surround sound. First movement, Andante ma non troppo, (11'54") begin's lonely clarinet's quiet melody. Here it is very beautifully performed: Andrew Marriner (first clarinetist) plays touchingly and sensitively. Main theme is peaceful, but it isn't too slow. Osmo Vänskä's interpretation with Minnesota Orchestra is much quicker: first movement's total time is only 9 minutes! Second movement, Andante (ma non troppo lento) (9'27") is very beautiful. Davis really understands this. He groans with Tchaikovskian melody. It is touching experience. The fast middle scene is powerful, and Davis reaches its freighting feeling very well. Third movement, Scherzo (5'15") is just OK. Its performance is quite normal. But the emotionally finale, (Quasi una fantasia): Andante (12'59") is this performance's real culmination. Strings singing melody is unforgettable, and Davis gives his all knowledge to it. Dramatic moments are like thunders. Fourth Symphony (1910-1911) is different work. It is dark composition, it doesn't contains happy end. Davis' interpretation is excellent. Neil Hutchinson's and Jonathan Stokes' engineering is also very good. For example my subwoofer switched on when the bass drum strikes in the finale.
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