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Amazon.co.uk Review
Opening this concert is Sibelius' overture Finlandia, composed for a gala in Helsinki to support the right of free speech at a time when the nation was under Russian domination. The work became a symbol of Finland's struggle for independence, and virtually the country's unofficial national anthem. Instantly recognisable, it is the most famous Finish music ever composed. Apart from his seven symphonies, Sibelius' major legacy is the series of tone poems he was inspired to write by Finish history and legend. The Karelia Suite is his revision of music originally written for a sequence of tableaux portraying the history of Karelia. Drawing on folk influences, this is melodic, celebratory and most attractive music. The major work on the album, though, is the Lemminkäinen Suite. Lemminkäinen was described by Sibelius as "the Don Juan of Finnish mythology". Here the philanderer undergoes a series of adventures, including a bleak sojourn in the underworld, before the mystical melancholy of the most famous movement, "The Swan of Tuonela", and the heroism of " Lemminkäinen's Return". This is an intelligently compiled programme, superbly played and recorded. Petri Sakari and the Iceland SO have also recorded Sibelius' Symphonies Nos. 1 and 3, which are worthy of further exploration. --Gary S. Dalkin
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The sweeping compositions of Sibelius attain musical heights few other composers could reach. Finlandia is an all time favourite of mine, and stranded on a desert Island I would want it there alongside me with Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro". The music itself is not in doubt, but sadly the sound quality of this CD left a lot to be desired. I went to the cheap end which is not always wise, and Naxos is certainly the budget end. I find that I can switch it up to full volume and still not achieve the desired volume. Doing this of course leaves a nasty background noise. Sibelius is best appreciated to some volume! Very disappointing. Of course this could be a fault of my particular CD, but I feel I should give fair warning. Another review might dispel these concerns. I post this review as I look for another alternative. A man who is tired of Sibelius is tired of life!
30 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's hard to go wrong with Naxos discs; quality recordings at excellent prices, and wonderful selections. For a middlebrow listener like myself who has never managed to get into the more demanding side of classical music but is a bit jaded by the oft-repeated selections that keep appearing on compilation albums, this disc must be hard to beat for an introduction to Sibelius, covering at it does a variety of moods, from the soaring and powerful Finlandia, through the lilting Karelia Suite intermezzo to the haunting 'Valse Triste' (used to great effect in Bruno Bozetto's animated film 'Allegro non Troppo'). The other longer tracks are a bit ponderous to my undereduacated ear but this is still good value even if you skip those.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
People here don't need to read my review on this wonderful music but I would like to mention what another reviewer has about the sound quality. The actual performance is superb but the sound quality on the CD is quiet at best and even muffled during the famous Intermezzo section.
I will be sending mine back, hoping for a refund.
The 1 star is reflective of the sound issue not the music.
I will be sending mine back, hoping for a refund.
The 1 star is reflective of the sound issue not the music.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Best of Sibelius - on a budget
From music lessons at school, "Finlandia" has always been a favourite of mine for its passionate evocation of the Finnish country and people in a sweeping, dramatic and moving... Read more
Published 9 months ago by RR Waller
Finnish Composer
Finlandia by Sibelius is the epitome of this composers work has all the grandeur and deep brass of a robust work yet in the "Swan of Tunela" the gentleness of a small child. Read more
Published on 2 May 2010 by Mr. L. Crane
All that can be said
Recently on a radio programme, the broadcaster, having played 'Finlandia', remarked "that says all that can be said in 9 minutes". Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2010 by I. Shelton
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