Aho: Symphonies 5 & 7

Advantages: A new way to hear Beethoven
Disadvantages: Surpassed by some later period cycles

...with the fast movements coming off sprightly and enjoyably. It is particularly good to have the first movement introduction taken at a brisker pace than normal for the added sense of authenticity. Only the Adagio could have been slightly slower to proprly bring out the poetic quality of the music, but it still comes off beautifully enough. Not one of the strongest in the set but not bad either. Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67 The Fifth Symphony is one of the most exciting of the set. The opening movement has to be the fastest I have ever heard, accentuating the compactness of the movement. The exposition alone takes only about 1:20, with the entire movement clocking in at 6:28. It does make the music perhaps a little too frenetic to come off completely satisfactorily, but there is no denying the excitement and menace of the movement. The rest... Read review

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Advantages: Great passion, beautiful melodies, unrestrained romanticism
Disadvantages: The finale doesn't quite convince in it's purpose

...HAPPINESS, OR TRAGEDY? After the doom-laden confessional that was the Fourth Symphony, Tchaikovsky was finally getting more in peace with himself. His fame began to spread and by 1885 he was already considered a national hero. This time saw the maturation of Tchaikovsky's style from the more blatantly folk-song oriented works and the more youthfully turbulent ideas to a more mainstream and calmer drift. Following the Fourth Symphony came the Violin Concerto, the Second Piano Concerto, the colourful overtures Capriccio Italien (composed during his bright stay at Italy) and 1812 (with the famous cannon-fire finale), the subtle String Serenade, the elegiac Piano Trio, a couple of small operas, and the large scale Manfred Symphony, amid some smaller scale works, all predominately genial in character. In 1888, after getting over his fear... Read review

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Advantages: Heroic fifth. Mysrterious sixth.
Disadvantages: None

...and gives them life. Sibelius: Symphonies No 5 & 6 was released on CD on 7th June 2004, the second in series of Sibelius Symphonies recorded live. It is available for just £4.99 from most good record shops. This is a recording that cannot be missed.... Read review

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