Search - Sibelius, Blomstedt, Sfso :: Symphonies 3 & 6

A crystalline third is offset by a rather dull 6th

Eric Brinkmann | Palo Alto, CA United States | 06/30/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is Sibelius to the core. Blomstetdt and the SF Symphony seem to take seriously Sibelius' comment that while other composers served various cocktails, he served pure spring water. There are no dramatic excesses on this recording, or on any of Blomstedt's Sibelius recordings with this symphony. He opts for a cool, clinical approach which can yield both refreshing results and dull ones. The take on the third symphony is marvelous. It is played with a purity and conviction that makes the lush romantic music that was being written at the same time by the likes of Strauss and Skriabin seem simply overblown. The second movement is particularly beguiling. However, the same purist approach makes the 6th fall flat. In a convincing performance, the 6th can seem to be Sibelius' best symphony, but in this case it simply seems anemic. The purity of sound does make for some nice moments, as in the opening, but for the most part, it is a dull performance."

Orchestral and Interpretive Perfection

D. B. Rathbun | Washington, DC United States | 10/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The San Francisco Symphony in these performances is astoundingly precise and nuanced, perhaps more than most people are used to hearing. I think to some, such perfection must come across, on the surface, as "clinical." Nonetheless, these performances of both 3 and 6 lack overpassionate sloppiness, roughness, performance overzealousness, which for lesser orchestras can serve as a proxy for energy or force. With San Francisco, on the other hand, the force, power, and passion of these performances is pure and refined. Blomstedt, perhaps the premiere interpreter of Sibelius (at least among the top 3 or 4 ever), leads this orchestra to performances that allow the listener to see clearly Sibeliuksen insights, and to witness orchestral performances like the Almighty intended them to happen. This recording of 6 and 3 are worthy, as are Blomstedts also astoundingly good recordings of 4 & 5, of 2, and of the rare 1 & 7 (so coveted that the CD routinely sells for over $250 on eBay--for good reason). Rattle/Birmingham are excellent performances of these two symphonies, but not nearly as refined or spacious."