This 15 CD compilation pays homage to Leif Segerstam (1944-2024), one of the greatest Sibelius conductors of all time. Segerstam left a lasting mark in music history in numerous ways. His Sibelius recordings for Ondine were recorded during his more than a decade long tenure as the chief conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and form an integral part of his more than 30 albums for Ondine between 1994 and 2015. These recordings with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra are a fortuitous combination of the orchestra's tradition of performing Sibelius, going back to collaboration with the composer himself, with Segerstam's experience, sensitive ear and creative energy. Here the stars aligned in a truly remarkable way.

J�rvi/Gothenburg Symphony Orch. - "Virtuoso: Sibelius: Symphonies 1 & 6" Decca presents six new titles in the VIRTUOSO series. With stellar recordings, famous artists, strong visuals, innovative booklet notes and best-selling composers, all offered at an excellent price, the Virtuoso series makes serious classical music approachable without compromise. This album contains Sibelius' Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6, performed by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Neeme J�rvi.

SIBELIUS: KULLERVO

Conductor Nicholas Collon's second Sibelius album together with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra focuses on works written by Sibelius just before World War I, and culminating in the 5th Symphony, one of the composer's symphonic key works. Two opuses for violin and orchestra, Two Serenades and Two Serious Melodies, one of Sibelius' most religious works, are featuring star violinist Christian Tetzlaff. Sibelius' music for Strindberg's Symbolistic play Swanwhite is a rarely performed gem with interesting thematic connections to other works included on this album, including the 5th Symphony.

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This second installment of Davis’s Sibelius cycle is purest gold. These performances command attention and will satisfy listeners for many years to come.

This second instalment of Davis’s new Sibelius cycle is purest gold. Hardly a phrase in these performances passes without new light being shed on it, and yet there is a strong feeling of spontaneity throughout. Davis’s readings are far from conventional; he often focuses on the darker sides of these symphonies, bringing out rarely heard depths in the Second and adding a fascinating new dimension to the Sixth. In both, he projects a strong sense of narrative and in the Second Symphony guides the argument toward the finale with overwhelming results – the appearance of the big tune gains immeasurably from a determined lack of sensationalism. Still more revealing is the finale of the Sixth: along with the expected ‘pastoral’ reflection he finds more than a hint of menace.

Davis is admirably served by the LSO. The strings respond to the detail of his interpretation with superb flexibility, and wind and brass groups are richly voiced. There is a wealth of magically observed orchestral detail, with the start of the slow movement of the Second Symphony – a polar-bear growl from the timpani and singing pizzicato – being especially memorable. These performances command attention and will satisfy listeners for many years to come.

Performance: 5 (out of 5), Sound: 5 (out of 5)

-- Jan Smaczny, BBC Music Magazine

LALO, SIBELIUS, RAVEL PERLMAN

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SIBELIUS: VIOLIN CONCERTO SAI

This DVD celebrates the musical quest of one of the great symphonists of the 20th century as seen through his music, letters, and words of his wife Aino, who was with him for more than 64 years.

This volume concludes the complete Sibelius symphonies performed by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra under Santtu-Matias Rouvali. This series has already won numerous awards around the world and reaches it's climax here with three of Sibelius' greatest symphonies: Andrew Mellor writes in his introductory text that "we hear music carried by forms of gravitational energy reminiscent of those that govern the course of a river". Rouvali has also chosen to record eight extracts from Sibelius' incidental music for Shakespeare's The Tempest. First performed in March 1926, it is one of Sibelius's final orchestral works and is certainly his most fascinating composition for the theatre.

SIBELIUS: ORCHESTRAL WORKS

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 6

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