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Jean Sibelius Pictures
Artist:
Jean Sibelius
Origin:
Finland, HämeenlinnaFinland
Born date:
December 8, 1865
Death date:
September 20, 1957
Jean Sibelius Album: «Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 6 and 7 / 'The Tempest', Suite No. 2»
Jean Sibelius Album: «Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 6 and 7 / 'The Tempest', Suite No. 2» (Front side)
    Album information
  • Customers rating: (5.0 of 5)
  • Title:Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 6 and 7 / 'The Tempest', Suite No. 2
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  • Type:Audio CD
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Customers rating
Track listing
  • 1Sym No.6 in d, Op.104: Allegro Molto Moderato
  • 2Sym No.6 in d, Op.104: Allegretto Moderato
  • 3Sym No.6 in d, Op.104: Poco Vivace
  • 4Sym No.6 in d, Op.104: Allegro Molto
  • 5Ste No.2, Op.109 No.3 'The Tempest': Chorus Of The Winds
  • 6Ste No.2, Op.109 No.3 'The Tempest': Intermezzo
  • 7Ste No.2, Op.109 No.3 'The Tempest': Dance Of The Nymphs
  • 8Ste No.2, Op.109 No.3 'The Tempest': Prospero
  • 9Ste No.2, Op.109 No.3 'The Tempest': Song I & II
  • 10Ste No.2, Op.109 No.3 'The Tempest': Miranda
  • 11Ste No.2, Op.109 No.3 'The Tempest': The Naiads
  • 12Ste No.2, Op.109 No.3 'The Tempest': Dance Episode
  • 13Sym No.7 in C, Op.105
Review - Product Description
CD Composer: Sibelius,Jean
Review - Amazon.com
Once again, Naxos scores big with this collection of two of Jean Sibelius's greatest symphonies, the 6th and the 7th. Maestro Petri Sakari's predilection is to take the 6th at a somewhat accelerated pace, especially in the first and the third movements, injecting an unexpectedly playful element to the music. It's almost as if Sakari is intentionally recalling some of the same playful elements in the 5th Symphony and holding them over into the 6th. Symphony No. 7, however, is more moderated in its pacing, keeping with the standard performance tempos most conductors, living and dead, have imposed. Between the two symphonies is the second suite from The Tempest, which provides an upbeat segue to the more meditative 7th Symphony that follows. All in all, another fine release from Naxos. --Paul Cook
Customer review
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
- Excellent Sibelius on Naxos

This is a very nice coupling of Sibelius' last two Symphonies. Petri Sakari conducts the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in very fine fashion. They play with a heartwarming fervour, especially the woodwinds. The outer movements of No. 6 have plenty of fire. The performance of Sibelius single-movement 7th is no less attractive. Gramophone Magazine gave this recording their monthly Editor's Choice Award. The Penguin Guide gave this 3 stars, which is "an outstanding performance and recording in every way". Also, the French magazine La Monde de la Musique gave it their highest "Special Award CHOC symbol". As if not enough, Naxos throws in a very likable account of the rarely heard Second Suite from Sibelius' 1925 incidental music from The Tempest. At a wonderful low price, Naxos provides an excellent 71-plus minutes from the great Finnish composer. Warmly recommended.

Customer review
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
- The best of Sakari's Sibelius Symphony cycle on Naxos

As far as I'm concerned, Petri Sakari's cycle of Sibelius symphonies on Naxos is, for the most part, a very "middle of the road" affair in terms of interpretation. Sakari's Icelandic forces are by no means without their merits; quite to the contrary; this is a very good orchestra. What is lacking in Sakari's Sibelius symphonies is that something extra to make them stand out against the formidable competition that is available at a budget price or otherwise.

Remember, I said MOST of Sakari's Sibelius symphonies lack that extra ounce of specialness. This disc is the exception. A BIG exception.

This recording is simply ravashing. Both the 6th and 7th symphonies are performed with such freshness and sensitivity that it makes me wonder what prevented Sakari from working the same magic on the other discs. Within both symphonies, there is a forward momentum that seems to be lacking in most recordings of these works (why does everyone have to take them so slowly?) that makes these an edge-of-your-seat experience. The 6th especially is performed with a rare passion that makes what is Sibelius's most elusive symphony an exciting listen as opposed to a simply satisfying one.

And let's not forget Sakari's brilliant Suite No. 2 from THE TEMPEST. Again, there is a certain excitment here that seems to be lacking in other recordings of this rare piece.

Anyone who is a skeptic when it comes to "late Sibelius" should acquire this disc without delay. Of course, anyone who already loves these works should not hesitate in adding these recordings to their collection. As far as Sakari's Sibelius goes, thos one's a real "diamond in the rough."

Customer review
- Agree with other two reviews

This is one of the highlights of the Sakari set. Very nicely played, nothing is overblown. Putting the 7th at the end of the disc was a nice touch.

Other high point of the Sakari discs: Symphony 4 (perfect), coupled with 5 (good).