Search - Sibelius, Bernstein, Nyp :: Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6 & 7 (The Royal Edition, No. 82 of 100)

Very fine recordings, a worthy addition

John Grabowski | USA | 04/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to agree largely with what the previous reviewer said, though I'm perhaps not *quite* as enthusiastic. For the most part the 6th and 7th are the highlights in this set. The 6th is particularly effective, and though I find Lenny's way with the 7th controversial (one of the noteworthy and appealing aspects of it is its seamless quality, how one section "morphs" into another, but Bernstein deemphasizes this) it is interesting and unique. The 4th lacks the "bottomless" mystery I love so much in this work, and my favorites here are Colin Davis' 1978 account with the Boston SO and Maazel with the VPO. The 5th is very very fine, but again Davis/BSO beats him out, as does Karajan/BPO on DG Originals. Still, these discs are definitely worth owning, and any Sibelius lover who doesn't snap them up is poorer for it. Sound is good and very bright, perhaps a bit close-up, with virutally inaudable tape hiss for those who care so much about those things."

Sets the standard

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For vigor, propulsion, and drama, no one tops Bernstein's Sibelius readings from the NY Phil era. Of these readings, the Fifth Symphony was the knockout in its day forty yers ago, but the whole set is on the same level, with virtuosic playing and big-scale sound. A must buy."