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Reviews: Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 7 - Berglund

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Reviews: 2

Review by LivyII July 15, 2008 (8 of 8 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:    
This disc represents Paavo Berglund's 4th recording of each of these symphonies (priors were Bournemouth SO, Helsinki Phil, Chamber Orch of Europe). It is an enjoyable CD and if it was your only Sibelius, I think almost anyone would be pretty happy with it. But there are many choices today in Sibelius, some in SACD, some not. Nevertheless, one must consider all alternatives in evaluating this disc.

Each of the previous reviewers has done an excellent job of point out many of the positive aspects of these performances - they are live (though audience is quiet for the most part, at least until the applause), they are played with conviction and good articulation, tempi are uncontroversial, and the orchestra makes few if any audible errors.

The sound quality isn't necessarily what I'd call ideal. Recorded in the Royal Festival Hall, this disc suffers from a similar issue as the LSO Live series - there's not much of what I would call "hall ambience". In some places, the soundstage seems very up-front and flat. I recognize that this is a live recording and that its being made in the preferred venue of this orchestra, but the sonic results are what they are.

Overall, if I had to choose a "best" Berglund performance or in some cases a "best" Sibelius symphony recording, my preferences still reside with his 1970's Bournemouth Symphony cycle - which is awesome, particularly Symphonies 1, 5, 6, and 7. The Oceanides and Lemminkainen Legends (not all of which are recorded) are also very good. Recorded in locations such as Kingsway Hall, Abbey Road studios, and the Guildhall, Southampton, its non-remastered sound sometimes even gives this new version a run for its money. (Why couldn't this cycle have been released on SACD?)

Overall, a good choice for someone new to the genre or looking for a something suitable to "fill the gap" in a collection. But the Sibelius devotee might think it superfluous.

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Review by Luukas January 17, 2014 (1 of 2 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:    
Paavo Berglund's live performances of Sibelius Second and Seventh symphonies Are outstanding: London Philharmonic Orchestra plays beautifully and Berglund's direction is very authoritative. And, of course, there are audience's applauses after symphonies performances. Berglund's tempi are little slow, but when he directs, the music sings. The Seventh Symphony, Op. 105 is very beautiful: strings singing themes are captured well. Multichannel recording is excellent. Very good performances.

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