Sibelius: Symphonies Nos 1, 2, 4 & 5

Advantages: Heroic fifth. Mysrterious sixth.
Disadvantages: None

...Jean Sibelius is striking for his originality and his innovative use of tonal colour in his orchestral compositions. The conductor of this recording of Symphonies Nos 5 & 6, Sir Colin Davies once said, “Nothing else sounds like Sibelius”. The music is indeed unique and distinctive. Jean Christian Sibelius, Finland's greatest composer, was born in 1865 and is best known for his seven symphonies that he wrote between 1899 and 1924. Sibelius felt that music should be pure music and that every note within the music given importance. Sibelius once commented that, “A symphony should be music first and last." His Symphonies, number 5 and 6, recorded on this CD are just that. The two symphonies contrast and compliment each other to produce a magnificence. The fifth is heroic, strong and vivid whilst the sixth is mysterious and radiant yet... Read review

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Advantages: Contrasting: dramatic and relaxing, darkness to light
Disadvantages: Frustrating if you live in a city

...both performed for the first time in 1808 for Beethoven's benefit concert in Vienna. Symphony no 5 in C minor 1st Movement: Allegro con brio 2nd Movement: Andante con moto 3rd Movement: Allegro 4th Movement: Allegro The period when these symphonies were composed is known as Beethoven's heroic period. The fifth sympony is probably the most characteristic of this phase: Darkness defeated by light. It opens with a dramatic four-note motif that is repeated threatenly through the first movement. (The motif was used by the allies during WW2 as a Victory symbol) The second movement is slower and more lyrical. The tempo of the short third movement speeds up to lead into the triumphal finale. Symphony no 6 in F major 1st Movement: Allegro ma non troppo Awakening of cheefulfeelings upon arrival in the country 2nd Movement: Andant molto mosso... Read review

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

.... 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 of the symphony also comes off quite well, although... Read review

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