Valse Triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1
The Swan of Tuonela, tone poem for orchestra (Lemmink?inen Suite No. 3), Op. 22/3
Karelia Suite, for orchestra, Op. 11: 1. Intermezzo. Moderato
Karelia Suite, for orchestra, Op. 11: 2. Ballade. Tempo di menuetto - Un poco pi? lento
Karelia Suite, for orchestra, Op. 11: 3. Alla marcia. Moderato
Pohjola's Daughter (Pohjolan tyt?r), symphonic fantasy for orchestra, Op. 49
En Saga, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 9
This budget-priced disc contains some very fine performances. Eugene Ormandy and Leonard Bernstein were both dedicated Sibelius interpreters, and their approaches are both complementary and shrewdly highlighted in this col... more »lection. Bernstein is represented by a single work: Pohjola's Daughter. This is not only Sibelius's finest tone poem, but this performance has also long been regarded as the best available. Ormandy, on the other hand, selected the kind of Romantic, colorful music that he always conducted with special authority, and the Philadelphia Orchestra makes some gorgeous sounds, particularly in the Valse Triste and The Swan of Tuonela. A bargain. --David Hurwitz« less
This budget-priced disc contains some very fine performances. Eugene Ormandy and Leonard Bernstein were both dedicated Sibelius interpreters, and their approaches are both complementary and shrewdly highlighted in this collection. Bernstein is represented by a single work: Pohjola's Daughter. This is not only Sibelius's finest tone poem, but this performance has also long been regarded as the best available. Ormandy, on the other hand, selected the kind of Romantic, colorful music that he always conducted with special authority, and the Philadelphia Orchestra makes some gorgeous sounds, particularly in the Valse Triste and The Swan of Tuonela. A bargain. --David Hurwitz
"I had first heard a recording of Finlandia a few months before I bought this CD. I liked it really well, so I decided to find my own recording. When I searched at a music store, I came across this CD. I felt this would be a good performance since it was performed by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. And I loved it when I first heard it. This is one of the best classical CDs that I own, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for music by Sibelius."
Great Sibelius!
02/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think that this Essential Classics collection by Sony is a good opportunity to get very fine music at a very low price. In this case thay have made a very attractive selection of music by Jean Sibelius. Apart from the Valse Triste, which no matter how many times I hear it, I always find it wonderful, this CD has many other pieces which are very interesting, like the superb Swan of Tuonela or the Karelia Suite. The performance is very good, and Ormandy conducts this pieces very well. If you don't know Sibelius' music yet, I would suggest that you buy this CD. At this price, it is very hard to find a better one."
Buy this CD
ad_yuhao | Tucson, AZ United States | 03/31/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just bought around 10 classical CDs from amazon.com, and this one is the cheapest. However, to my great surprise, this is also the best one among them all. "Finlandia" is breathtakingly heavy yet beautiful, especially combined with the circumstances Sibelius had written them. You can almost touch and feel the snowy wilderness of Finland when you listen to this piece. Other tracks are also excellent. Highly recommended for any classical fans. (too sad I've ignored Sibelius before. I will start to collect all of his works thanks to this CD)"
The best recording of Finlandia
Sungu Okan | Istanbul, Istanbul Turkey | 09/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is really good.
All performances by E. Ormandy and his Philadelphia Orchestra, except Pohjola's Daughter. This symphonic poem performed by Bernstein and perhaps the best Sibelius recording of Bernstein (actually he recorded all symphonies with NYP)Best tracks:As it is, Ormandy's "Finlandia" is best (with Charles Mackerras' recording with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra).
What a music and what a interpretation?! The Sound of Philadephia is excellent on this from start to finish. Especially, I like that, the wind ensemble (especially brass) are amazing in "Allegro". Valse triste is one of the best compositions by Sibelius, no doubt, and this performance is very effective, emotional...Karelia is very good, especially Intermezzo (1st movement) is superb. This piece is short and pure. This is a tale about a haunting scene at Middle AgeIn other words: this CD is very highly recommended"