Sibelius Symphony #2
Posted by: CFMF on 02 April 2013
I just received in the mail a cd of Sibelius Symphony #2 with Sir John Barbirolli conducting the Royal Philharmonic. It's on the Chesky label, and both the performance and the sound are demonstration quality. So if you like Sibelius, don't miss this one!
Cheers,
BBM
I have the vinyl version of this Chesky reissue, and it is fantastic!
I go back and forth between favoring this one and the Philips recording by Sir Colin Davis with the Boston SO. I have the box set of 7 symphonies and it is great.
Cannot go wrong with either.
As a dabbler in classical music I have always found the Sir Colin Davies BSO version to be an inspirational listen and one that I encourage others to try as an introduction to what classical music can offer.
The Ormandy/Philadelphia is the first recording of the Sibelius 2nd that I bought way back when I was just starting out with classical music. It's still one of my favourites.
I like the first Neeme Jarvi performance, on BIS - the last movement particularly has superb momentum. The latest Osmo Vanska with the Minnesota Orchestra, also on BIS is excellent - the 24/96 download is very good - the quietest passages don't seem as quiet as in his earlier performance with the Lahti SO, which is better for home listening. Colin Davis is also good - a superb Sibelian - try his Boston SO performance which is available in a bargain box these day with all the symphonies. His later performances with the LSO are slightly slower but have superb power - if you can overlook his grunts which are sometimes audible!
Beecham with RPO or the Barbirolli on Chesky or EMI
Szell with the Concertgebouw (Philips) is a great recording of this piece.