Widor: Symphony No 5

Advantages: Every tune's a winner
Disadvantages: Nothing new

...Beethoven- Symphony no.5 (1st movement) (the one that goes da da da DUN, da da da DUN, you know the one I mean…) Gershwin- Rhapsody in Blue Ravel- Bolero Grieg- Peer Gynt (In the Hall of the Mountain King) If you don't know these pieces, then this would be an ideal CD for you if you feel you ought to know what the most commonly known classical pieces are. It could be treated as a mini-course on accepted masterpieces, and the booklet, (minimal, 2 CD-sized sides per CD), gives you a pert selection of related anecdotes to astound your friends with. (For example, Rutter's pick is "A Gaelic Blessing". The notes tell you that choirboys refer to this piece as "garlic dressing". Radio 3 would not share this blasphemy with you I'm sure! If you already know all these pieces (and are something of a music buff), don't instantly dismiss this CD. I'm a music... Read review

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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: Great work
Disadvantages: none

...It is an amazing fact that a year after its first performance Anthony Payne's elaboration of Elgar's sketches for his Third Symphony have become part of the mainstream orchestral repertoire. Payne, a musicologist and a composer, took on the monumental task of pieceing together the few sketches that Elgar left before his death and expanding them in a complete symphony. The results are incredible. Although Payne is cautious to guard against calling the symphony an original Elgar work (as so much was of Payne's invention)the piece has an unmistakable Elgar feeling. Originally recorded by the partnership that gave the work's first performance (Andrew Davis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra) this new recording with the Bournemouth Symphony conducted by Paul Daniel (music director at English National Opera) is a much weightier and envigorating... Read review

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