Search - Jean Sibelius, Neeme Järvi, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra :: Jean Sibelius: Historical Scenes, Op. 25 & 66; En Saga, Op. 9

Sibelius's Historical Scenes were taken--at least in part--from an earlier work called Press Celebration Music, an extended series of short pieces that ended with what we now know as Finlandia. In its original form, the Press music has finally been recorded, but these selections have the virtue of the composer's later revisions. The music is thoroughly delightful, and Neeme Järvi performs it with exemplary style and vigor. En Saga was the first in a long line of masterful tone poems, and it's one of the most purely "primal" pieces of music in existence. Järvi's performance features an appropriately gut-pounding climax, and if you can't handle heavy bass, then watch out for your speakers. --David Hurwitz