Symphony Nos.1, 2, 4 & 5.
Boston Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Sir Colin Davis

PHILIPS Duo 446 157-2 (Complete Symphonies Vol.1)
2 discs [153:52] budget-price. Symphony No.5 (31'59) recorded Jan 1975 (reissued 1995).

The Boston cycle has been widely regarded as a superior cycle to Colin Davis' more recent LSO cycle on RCA (reviewed below). And only a quick comparison is needed to show the stronger personality and more heartfelt expression of the Boston Symphony. The powerful strings are especially worth noting, though in my personal opinion, I still find the brass overdoing it sometimes. The trumpets have a tendency to overblow, and often the layers of brass appear to "bounce" off each other, as opposed to sounding fused together, as is my preference. Otherwise sound quality is good; and as far as interpretation is concerned, this version is far better than the RCA reading. Nevertheless, there are better versions out there, for the same price: Berglund on EMI Forte as well as Royal Classics, and Ashkenazy on Double Decca.

Symphonies Nos.3 & 5.
London Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Sir Colin Davis

RCA Victor Red Seal 09026-61963-2
[61:07] full-price. Symphony No.5 (30'27") recorded 1992 (released 1994).

This is a fair reading, with the LSO in their usual good form. The interpretation is adequate, but rather ordinary and lacking personality. It hardly displays the glowing beauty or sensitivity of Sir Simon Rattle's version, for example. The brass (especially the over-prominent trumpets) are just a touch clumsy and not always refined, spoiling what is otherwise quite fine reading of the first movement. The finale itself is also smoothly and skilfully played. The recording is good, but not really fine. In addition to the overdone brass, there is a rather irritating microphone which seems to be paying far too much attention to the timpani.

Symphony Nos.4 & 5
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Kurt Sanderling

BERLIN CLASSICS BC 9281-2
[69:02] full-price. Symphony No.5 (32'38"), recorded Dec 1971 (reissued 1994). Also available in Complete Symphonies Set (BC 2059-2).

Sanderling opens his performance with much beauty and serenity. His vision is tightly integrated and the Berlin SYMPHOHY orchestra sounds fabulously responsive, with wonderful textures. The first movement is paced with grandeur and intelligence, truly focussed, mysterious and steady. Sanderling takes the final passage with regal strides in moderate speed - the effect is different from most versions, and proves very effective. The Andante is very much in the same vein: Sanderling provides that steady pace, but it never sounds tired - instead only very relaxed, grand and beautiful. It leaves me almost needless to say that the finale and Swan Hymn combines all these qualities - even the soli instruments are very well-represented. The triumphant rise to the conclusion glows with power and visionary hope, and I am particularly impressed with the well-spaced final chords. Too! A very fine performance and a worthy addition to collectors.

Symphony Nos.5 & 7. Valse Triste.
Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Leif Segerstam

CHANDOS CHAN 9055
[63:42] full-price. Symphony No.5 (34'56") recorded Aug 1991 (released 1992).
Also available on a 4CD set (CHAN 7054 mid-price), reissued 1996

In absolutely spectacular sound, this version impresses in almost all accounts and is a fabulous purchase if you're looking for these two symphonies on one disc. Segerstam has never been known for not taking full advantage of music's grandeur and beauty. He is not aversed to considerable rubato, and I know for certain that some do not like his way. Personally, I tend to approve of his style. In this disc, I definitely do.

Segerstam's Fifth combines the strength and drive of Karajan, the sensitivity of Sanderling, and his own unbound capacity for bringing about the music's beauty. The result is one of my favourite versions of all the time I've spent listening to the work.

Combined with Chandos' spectacular sound, you get here a Fifth in full sound and architectural splendour. The dynamic range and realism is a massive boon - just listen to the surge and flow, the currents and waves of energy Segerstam rolls out of the orchestra as the first movement molto moderato enters the Allegro moderato - and then the massive conclusion.

The Andante is heartwarming and sweetly done. The finale of is very heartwarming done - the performance of Swan Hymn here is among the best versions, joyous and majestic, awesome and humbling, very well-paced. Segerstam makes not illusion regarding his heroic and noble vision of the work. His spacing of the final chords are somewhat wide and regular - a touch on the reticent side, not overpowering, but satisfying still.

Symphonies Nos.1-7. Luonnotar. Pohjola's Daughter.
New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein

SONY Classical Royal Edition SX4K 64207
[121:50] budget-price (2CD set). Symphony No.5 (32'38") recorded 1961. Reissued 1994.

This is a "strong" (maybe too strong) performance of the Fifth Symphony. Bernstein's view of the huge arches of melodies is massive, gushing and triumphant, the NYPO pouring out torrents of sound. The serene pastoral Andante is earnestly done, but the rich thickness of the 1961 sound makes the music rather rough. In fact, as far as the string pizzicati are concerned, the treatment is far too heavy-footed, over-cooked and coarse.

In the final movement, it would be really strange if Bernstein did not exploit the full splendour of the "Swan Hymn" - he does. As for the final chords, Bernstein spaces them out wide, and each one is very short. They sound clipped and somewhat uncharacterized. Not recommended. (Extract from full review).

Symphony No.5. Andante Festivo. Karelia Overture.
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Neeme Järvi

BIS-CD-222
[46:55] full-price. Symphony No.5 (33'36") recorded Oct 1982 (released 1988). Also available in full cycle set BIS-622.

This is a performance of the "Old Reliable" category. Järvi is one of the established experts in conducting Sibelius, and his Gothenburg Symphony his best partner in this activity. The result here is a very sensitive and musical reading, full of details - the ending of the first movement matches Berglund's level of detail. The conductor's trademark rubato suits the music, and of course, there's BIS's great sound engineering. The Swan Hymn unfolds unhurriedly with elegance and beauty.

The main hiccup is the rather short playtime, at just under 47 minutes - one could easily fit another Sibelius symphony in the disc. But it does come with an extremely moving performance of Sibelius' heart-rendingly beautiful Andante Festivo and the rarely heard (but decidedly fun) Karelia Overture. Oddly, the couple actually make the CD worth the price. You can also buy the full cycle on BIS 622, which comes with a free fourth disc with Kullervo(!).