Search - Sibelius, Segarstam, Ollila :: Orchestral Favorites With Photo Album

Essential Sibelius!!!

Louie Bourland | Garden Grove CA | 02/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The "Orchestral Favorites with Photo Album" CD on the Ondine label is an excellent beginners guide to the music of the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. While some essential pieces are missing here (notably excerpts from his monumental symphonies), this disc still offers some prime examples of Sibelius's best work including the Karelia Suite, his Valse Triste, the tone poems "Pohjola's Daughter" and "Swan of Tuonela", excerpts from "The Tempest" play and his all-time classic opus "Finlandia" which is taken at a slightly slower tempo than usual on this disc. Of special interest to die-hard Sibelians is the inclusion of the "Andante Festivo" which is conducted by Sibelius himself. This 1939 recording is not only notable for featuring the composer as conductor, it is also the only recording that exists of Sibelius interpreting his own music - a defining historic moment that is worth the price of this CD alone.

In addition to the excellent music heard here, this CD also includes a generously compiled 42-page photo album which features many historic photos of Sibelius throughout his lifetime from childhood to retirement. The booklet also includes a detailed essay on Sibelius's life and a timeline of key moments in the composer's career.

This is definitely a well-put together document both musically and visually of this masterful genius. The music as well as the booklet are a fascinating look at the life and work of Jean Sibelius.

Highly Recommended!!!

For another excellent introduction to Sibelius's music, I also recommend the "Greatest Hits" disc on Sony Music. While the Sony disc duplicates some of the pieces included here, it does include excerpts from masterpieces not featured here such as music from the symphonies and violin concerto."