Search - Antonin Dvorak, Jean Sibelius, Thomas Beecham :: Sibelius: Symphony No. 2; Dvorák: Symphony No. 8

Sensational Sibelius, worthwhile Dvorak

Ivor E. Zetler | Sydney Australia | 01/08/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This coulpling, previously available on the EMI label, documents an amazing and famous live performance of the Second Sibelius Symphony dating from 1954. Beecham, a renowned Sibelius conductor, extracts white hot and exciting playing from the BBC orchestra. As the work progresses he is clearly heard to be encouraging and exorting his players; much like a jockey whipping a racehorse towards the end of a race. It is the finest performance of this work that I have encountered. The prospective purchaser needs to be aware that the recorded sound is on the poor side and a good deal of coughing is heard. If you can tolerate the imperfections, you will be in for a treat of the first order.



The Dvorak 8 is somewhat of an anticlimax; a good rather than a memorable interpretation. But the CD is worth acquiring for the Sibelius."

Beecham's Sibelius 2 / Dvorak 8

busotti | 06/19/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"[5 star performance, 2-3 star audio]

Beecham was one of the great early conductors of Sibelius. He had muscular propulsive readings that realized the grandeur of the score without veering into over romanticized sentiment that sometimes contaminates the final movement of the 2nd symphony. Then final lyrical theme, which sometimes seems to carry on too many times in the hands of lesser conductors exudes a riveting logic and development in Beecham's hands - it packs a wallop. The outer movements of the Dvorak 8th are dynamic with impeccable taste for rubato, avoiding the leaden sense of rhythm some performances veer towards. The inner movements offer organic lyricism, again avoiding too overt a pulse that sometimes makes these sound like dance music (if that's what I wanted I'd just listen to a clock ticking or a metronome).



Beecham, the person, was quite a character and I'd recommend reading some of the colorful anecdotes and rivalries he had with some of his peers.



Sadly these live, mono recordings still sound a little boxy in their dynamics (1954 and 1959) despite the advertised 20 bit remastering... only so much can be done with limited source material (however these recordings were made, they were no where near the engineering standards of RCA Living Stereo or Mercury Living Presence contemporaries). During the quiet sections there are some audible flu season symptoms in the audience, but these don't detract so much. Some might also prefer to do without some of Beecham's cheering on the orchestra at crucial builds, but when taking these in toto with the mythic Beecham, they add charm.



These are great performances, but the audio limitation don't merit the premium-level price tag. Midprice would merit a wholehearted recommendation.



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