The Philharmonia & Herbert von Karajan - Jean Sibelius: Symphonies No. 2 & No. 4 (Remastered) (2016/2022) [24/96]

Two classic recordings by Karajan while he was in London as the imposed guest of Walter Legge, director of the Philharmonia Orchestra. The two symphonies form a lavish but unusual combination – Symphony no.2, the most popular of the seven created the composer of Valse Triste, and his curious Symphony no.4, a violent, arid, anti- Malherian dissertation infused with doubt and melancholy due to its baleful (augmented fourth) tritone interval, the hitherto spurned diabolus in musica. Two paradoxal masterworks.

Nowadays, in an age where there is a glut of Sibelius recordings to choose from, it’s easy to forget that Karajan was flying the flag for the composer at a time when his music was largely ignored outside of Finland, the UK and America. This release is a timely reminder of the excellence of the conductor’s early work with the Philharmonia Orchestra and it’s good to welcome these historic recordings back into circulation.

"There is a striking similarity between the two earlier versions. Sibelius himself was an admirer of the Philharmonia recording. It is certainly the coldest and most desolate of the 3 Karajans on offer. The first movement also has an underlying menace matched by no other conductor. Allowances have to be made for the 1953 mono recording but it is beautifully balanced and the Philharmonia strings are sonorous and dark. The ear quickly adjusts to the lean, dry sound. This is a tough, intense reading that is well worth hearing. There is, however, something for the potential purchaser to consider. These performances, in what to my ears sound like equally good transfers …" (John Whitmore, MusicWeb International)

Tracklist:
01. Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: I. Allegretto
02. Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: II. Tempo andante, ma rubato - Andante sostenuto - Allegro - Andante sostenuto
03. Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: III. Vivacissimo - Lento e suave - Tempo I
04. Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: IV. Finale. Allegro moderato
05. Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: I. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio - Adagio - Tempo I - Adagio - Tempo I
06. Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: II. Allegro molto vivace
07. Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: III. Il tempo largo
08. Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: IV. Allegro


Thanks to the Original customer!