Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Finlandia: Sym Poem Op.26
2. Karelia Ste Op.11: 1. Intermezzo
3. Karelia Ste Op.11: 2. Ballade
4. Karelia Ste Op.11: 3. Alla Marcia
5. Pohjola's Daughter: Sym Fant Op.49
6. Valse Triste (From Kuolema - Incidental Music Op.44)
7. Lemminkainen Ste Op.22: 2. The Swan Of Tuonela
8. Lemminkainen Ste Op.22: 4. Lemminkainen's Return

Disc 2:

1. Sym No.1 in e, Op.39: I. Andante, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico
2. Sym No.1 in e, Op.39: II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento)
3. Sym No.1 in e, Op.39: III. Scherzo (Allgro)
4. Sym No.1 in e, Op.39: IV. Finale: Quasi Una Fantasia (Andante - Allegro Molto)
5. Sym No.4 in a, Op.63: I. Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagio
6. Sym No.4 in a, Op.63: II. Allegro Molto Vivace
7. Sym No.4 in a, Op.63: III. II Tempo Largo
8. Sym No.4 in a, Op.63: IV. Allegro

Disc 3:

1. Sym No.2 in D, Op.43: I. Allegretto
2. Sym No.2 in D, Op.43: II. Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato
3. Sym No.2 in D, Op.43: III. Vivacissimo
4. Sym No.2 in D, Op.43: IV. Finale (Allegro Moderato)
5. Sym No.3 in C, Op.52: I. Allegro Moderato
6. Sym No.3 in C, Op.52: II. Andantino Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto
7. Sym No.3 in C, Op.52: III. Moderato - Allegro (Ma Non Tanto)

Disc 4:

1. Sym No.5 in E Flat, Op.82: I. Tempo Molto Moderato - Allegro Moderato - Presto
2. Sym No.5 in E Flat, Op.82: II. Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto
3. Sym No.5 in E Flat, Op.82: III. Allegro Molto - Un Pochettino Largamente
4. Pelleas Et Melisande - Ste From The Incidental Music, Op.46: 1. At The Castle Gate
5. Pelleas Et Melisande - Ste From The Incidental Music, Op.46: 2. Melisande
6. Pelleas Et Melisande - Ste From The Incidental Music, Op.46: 7. Melisande At The Spinning Wheel
7. Pelleas Et Melisande - Ste From The Incidental Music, Op.46: 9. The Death Of Melisande
8. Sym No.7 in C, Op.105: Adagio
9. Sym No.7 in C, Op.105: Un Pochettino Meno Adagio - Vivacissimo - Adagio
10. Sym No.7 in C, Op.105: Allegro Molto Moderato
11. Sym No.7 in C, Op.105: Vivace - Presto - Adagio

Disc 5:

1. Scenes Historiques - Stes I & II: All' Overtura Op.25 No.1
2. Scenes Historiques - Stes I & II: The Hunt Op.66 No.1
3. Scenes Historiques - Stes I & II: Scena Op.25 No.2
4. Rakastava, Op.14: 1. The Lover
5. Rakastava, Op.14: 2. The Way Of The Lover
6. Rakastava, Op.14: 3. Goodnight, My Beloved, Farewell
7. Romance in C, Op.42
8. Sym No.6 in d, Op.104: I. Allegro Molto Moderato
9. Sym No.6 in d, Op.104: II. Allegretto Moderato
10. Sym No.6 in d, Op.104: III. Poco Vivace
11. Sym No.6 in d, Op.104: IV. Allegro Molto

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69294 in Music
• Released on: 2000-02-21
• Number of discs: 5
• Formats: Box set, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .51 pounds
• Running time: 356 minutes

Customer Reviews

A Classic Set Finally On CD
To many Sibelians Sir John Barbirolli's 1960's cycle of the complete symphonies with the Halle Orchestra is one of the finest ever recorded. Unlike today's conductors who tend to take a "one size fits all" approach to these works,Sir John takes them on as individual works that should not all be played the same. Tempos for example may be broad in some works and brisk in others. Orchestral detail is also finally balanced. Many of Sibelius' subtle woodwind details that many drown out with the strings are here heard in their proper perspective. Foremost though is the sense of atmosphere and drama that is essential in making these symphonies work. Under Barbirolli they are never lacking. The orchestral works which fill out this generous set are equally well done.Although these recordings have been available by EMI's Japanese susidiary for over a decade this is the first release in the US and Europe of the complete recordings. It was a long time coming but it was well worth the wait!

THE MASTER SYMPHONIST
What can I say? What can I add to the peaens of praise already written??

Except this: I too grew up with Barbirolli's Sibelius. I will never, ever forget 'getting into' the Fifth Symphony for the very first time. This recording could well be the definitive version of this 'granite slab' of music - the word 'symphony' is almost inadequate. It is breathless, rapt, invigorating...alive.

One loves Sibelius - emotionally - for those unmatched moments in his works when your pulse quickens and your heart almost stops beating: the closing bars of both the 1st and 3rd movements of the Fifth Symphony; the bars where, in the achingly personal slow movement of the icy Fourth Symphony, Sibelius finally allows the mournful main theme to thaw out, flow from its imprisonment in the woodwind and then swell out, into the full orchestra - but all too briefly; the breathless sense of rising anticipation that one hears during the busy recapitulation in the opening movement of the Third (said by Sibelius to represent fog rolling in from the English Channel); also the powerful, rousing, climactic ending to the Third's brassy finale; the whole of the sublime Sixth Symphony, which one loves as one loves a shy friend; and the opening of the Seventh, as well as the choral-like ending, with its rapt sense of otherworldiness, that carries its spirit into realms that are beyond mere music. Sibelius fans will know exactly what I mean.

The Seventh Symphony could well rate as the second-greatest musical work of the 20th century. First place: La Mer.

When it comes to Sibelius, Barbirolli is your only man. The Halle Orchestra is the 'instrument' he plays, with utter virtuosity.

A love affair with this composer, this conductor and this orchestra is one that age will never dim.

Vive Sibelius!

Masterful, moving, thrilling, gripping, unmissable.
It's impossible to praise this collection highly enough. Barbirolli's version of the 5th symphony is edge-of-the-seat stuff - particularly the last movement, which he takes more slowly than other conductors and builds the tension up to almost unbearable levels, with a glorious release in the final chords. I'd defy anyone to listen to this and not have their life changed - it's as stirring as that. The control is amazing. No orchestra ever delivered a pianissimo like the Halle under Glorious John. The re-mastering is superb. This symphony alone should stand as the Authorised Version - but the others are just as striking, moving, intelligent .... and 5 CD's at that price! Buy it. You won't regret it.