SIBELIUS: Symphonies Nos. 6 and 7; The Tempest Suite No. 2

Iceland Symphony Orchestra;
Sakari, Petri

8.554387

Osmo Vänskä’s account of the Sixth and Seventh Symphonies brings his cycle to a fitting climax. The Sixth is serene yet taut, and the Seventh particularly fine, both in pacing and character. Vänskä reading of Tapiola has a thrilling intensity and if it is not the equal of Karajan or Beecham, it is certainly among the very best of the others. The Lahti Orchestra always plays with enthusiasm and fire, and the BIS recording is first class.

Petri Sakari’s Sixth Symphony is the best we have had since Vänskä: it is thoughtful, well prepared and dedicated, and even if the Iceland Orchestra is not in the same league as the Vienna Philharmonic or the Concertgebouw, they are a very good ensemble. The Seventh is powerful and has breadth and majesty; not the equal of Colin Davis, perhaps, but eminently satisfying all the same. The second suite from The Tempest is magnificent (the Chorus of the Winds sounds quite magical) and full of mystery and atmosphere, and the well-balanced sound does credit to all concerned. • Penguin Guide, January 2009

CD

Muzyka klasyczna

Naxos

12-09-2000

636943438725