Search - Sibelius, Kamu, Helsinki Radio Symphony :: Symphonies 1 & 3

Possibly the best Sibelius Third , and a good Sibelius First

Jeffrey Lee | Asheville area, NC USA | 09/20/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Okko Kamu has never been represented much on recordings. Other than his Sibelius, I can think of little else he has committed to disc beyond some presentations of a few Scandinavian composers like Nielsen, Berwald, Larsson, Stenhammar and Sallinen. Though not as vivid as Maazel/Vienna, attractively detailed as Stokowski or nicely balanced as Collins, there is little to criticize about his Sibelius First Symphony. It is generally well conceived, though there may be a few moments where phrasing seems just a touch too deliberate. The last movement however is delivered pleasingly, with ample gusto and songfulness....His Sibelius Third has been my favorite interpretation for quite some time. Kamu does not allow the kind of routineness that fairly frequently mars other conductors' versions, because his performance sounds utterly natural and spontaneous. Instrumental voices come through with just the right amount of expressiveness. I find especially satisfying some passages for cellos, whose warm sound is tinged with a slight touch of chill northern wind. Though found in several places, this quality is apparent mainly in the waning portions of the final movement, where those cellos are joined by horns to bring the music to its noble conclusion."