Symphony No.1. Karelia Suite. Andante Festivo
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Mariss Jansons

EMI Classics CDC7 54273-2
[61:50] full-price. Symphony No.1 (39'01") recorded Sep 1990.

Mariss Jansons is another conductor whose contributions to Sibelius' music may be underutilised (in the recording studio). His reading of the Second Symphony with the Oslo Philharmonic has one of the tightest accounts of the unwieldy finale. This account of the First is also very finely crafted. Like in that Second, Jansons' style sometimes makes the momentum of the music come across as a little motoric, which is both distracting and interesting. The ending of the first movement builds nicely in the chords but ends abruptly.

The somewhat thick sound engineering obscures detail. The fortissimo tuttis, for example, are sonically bloated, and instrumental sections sometimes come in uncomfortable blocks. Overall it feels like the opposite of the leaner readings by the Lahti and Iceland orchestras (reviewed above). This also occurs in the trumpets march in the Intermezzo from the Karelia Suite included on this album.

The Andante is very beautifully done and with much dignity. Similarly, the Scherzo is convincingly driven, the pace chosen just right. The orchestral interchanges are here well-detailed and playing confident (I am reminded of their Tchaikovsky cycle on Chandos). The Finale showcases more of Jansons' ability to wield together the different sections of a symphonic argument - the fast and slow movements flow very well in his hands, the latter with much passion and beauty. Whatever the case, his ability to generate excitement is evident throughout.

A very fine reading, which would have been better if the sound were a little bit better balanced. (Jansons has also recorded the Third and Fifth, but there seem no plans to do the rest. Pity).

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.1 (39'04") recorded Apr 1976 (reissued 1995).

This is a strong member in Sir Colin's Boston cycle. The sound is quite full (except harp in Finale) and detailed, despite the age of the recording. The first movement is very convincing, with superb stringwork and brass. The Andante is well-played, but I find that only the second half "says something", the first being rather plain in character. In fact - maybe it's just me, but I find the reading of this Symphony rather straight-faced. The Boston orchestra plays very well, but the stamp of personality is missing half of the time. It has the feeling of a "copy" - clean, efficient but indistinguishable. This is reflected too in the recent RCA recording. The exceptions are the first and last movements; the Finale is excellent, in particular the fast sequences and the breathtaking recap of the big Romantic theme, only slightly annoyed by the plonking harp.

Don't mind my nitpicking - this is ultimately a good investment. (The Fourth on the same disc is excellent too). Symphonies Nos.3, 6, 7 plus the Violin Concerto is on Philips Duo 446 160-2.

Symphonies Nos.1-7. Luonnotar.
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Leonard Bernstein

Sony Classical Royal Edition SX4K 64207
4 discs [250:42] budget-price. Symphony No.1 recorded 1967. (Set released 1994).

In this excellent performance of the First Symphony, all the hallmarks of Bernstein's conducting are displayed here - the impulsive rush of energies, the dramatic moulding of phrases, the attention to lush melodies when they appear, and the exploitation of the colours of the score to the fullest. The lack of subtlety may be considered outdated Sibelian conducting now, but does make its point strongly. The spot-miking likewise has a similar effect.

This 1967 performance is from the previous school of Sibelian intepretation - pure Romanticism, focusing on the heaviness and Tchaikovskian aspects of the score and not trying very hard to show its transparency or economy. Don't get me wrong, this works very well here. The angst and momentum of the outer movements are phenomenal, as is the heavenly final sigh of the Andante. The huge and sweeping Romantic theme in the finale towards the end is utterly breathtaking, and the two final pizzicato chords - heartbreaking. (Extract from full review of complete cycle)

Symphony Nos.1 & 6
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Adrian Leaper

NAXOS 8.550197
[63:22] budget-price. Symphony No.1 (36'05") recorded Nov 1989 (released 1990).

Make no mistake, this may be one of Naxos's earliest recordings, but it consists of very satisfying accounts of the Sixth as well as the First. Adrian Leaper has already done at least one more Sibelius cycle for another label, is widely acknowledged as an able Sibelian, probably not as much as he deserves.

Though there are a few tiny slips of intonation and some passages where they lost a little steam, the playing of the Slovakians is very convincing, capturing the pulse, tone and phrasing appropriate to the work. Leaper's direction is obviously well-thought out and injects just the right amount of drama into the music in the first movement. Nice handling of the pedal points can be heard in the Andante, and the big tune in the Finale too sweeps majestically over the pedals. The Scherzo and Finale are performed with much conviction and feeling, the latter ending with ample atmosphere. I think Leaper could have pushed the Orchestra more to get that additional kick - something which he does demonstrate in for example, the "chase passage".

The Naxos sound engineering is truthful, but it could definitely have slightly more volume at the top to widen the dynamic range. Overall, a better than expected performance which deserves to be heard next to the Iceland SO cycle.

Symphony No.1 Karelia Suite.
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Herbert von Karajan

EMI Classics CDM7 69028-2
[55:16] full-price. Symphony No.1 (39'24") recorded Jan 1981 (released 1987).

Out of print (ie. not available), thanks to stupidity of label. Wait for possible reissue in the EMI Karajan Edition.

Herbert von Karajan was one of Sibelius' greatest champions. Given his preference for Romantic lushness (try the Andante), his intelligent conducting, firm leadership and willpower, Sibelius' First is without doubt his cup of tea. Couple this with the skill and beauty of the Berliners and you get one of the most convincing accounts of the First ever. The climaxes roar to power, the lyricism sings and soars with clarity. Karajan's skill in Sibelian conducting rarely falters - this is proven here with the sureness of the performance's momentum. In the four exposed chords ringing in the middle of the first movement, the sense of anticipation is totally palpable. In fact, this performance is one of the more dramatically nuanced ones.

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