Sibelius: Symphonies 2 & 7
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JEAN SIBELIUS
Sibelius: Symphonies 2 & 7
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Thomas Søndergård
[ Linn SACD / Hybrid SACD ]
Release Date: Wednesday 20 May 2015
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Thomas Søndergård's opening concert with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, at which Sibelius was the highlight, was hailed a triumph by audiences and press alike and marked a new era for the orchestra. Building on this triumphant debut the 2013 BBC Proms saw Søndergård and a reinvigorated BBC NOW win over the critics with their charismatic performance and formidable interpretations. Stating his intentions the new Principal Conductor was clear: 'I can't wait to discover Sibelius all over again with my new orchestra'.
With their nationalist themes Symphonies 2 & 7 are perfect repertoire for Søndergård and his orchestra to make their symphonic recording debut. Symphony No. 2 marked a major step in Sibelius' development as a composer, and remains one of his most popular works. Symphony No. 7 is notable for being a one-movement symphony and is completely original in form, subtle in its handling of tempi, individual in its treatment of key and is considered Sibelius' most remarkable compositional achievement.
'At the end of his first season as principal conductor, Søndergård showed just what a rapport he already has with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.' (The Guardian)
"Søndergård's new recording appreciates the scale and substance of Sibelius' work...The BBC NOW...responds keenly to the way that Søndergård subtly controls aspects of tempo, instrumental balance and the shifting of mood to create a genuine sense of the music's organically conceived nature." The Telegraph, 15th March 2015 ****
"The BBC National Orchestra of Wales here shows itself to be in fine fettle, offering cogent, clear-textured performances." Sunday Times, 29th March 2015
"Sondergard's Sibelius Two is breathtaking in its speedy pacing, lightness of foot, and command of the internal fluctuations of pace, mood and momentum that make this most organic masterpiece so natural in its growth....The playing of BBC NOW, in line with its conductor's evident vision, is astonishing in its sophistication. Their flawless performance of the Seventh Symphony, if you love this music, will break your heart." The Herald (Glasgow), March 2015
"On the basis of their impressive debut album, the omens for this partnership are good. Symphony No 2 has a haunting inner strength, especially in the andante, with Søndergård keeping a tight rein on emotions until the expansive last movement. The elusive, one-movement Symphony No 7 - Sibelius's last - is similarly intense and rigorous. Woodwind and brass mix rawness with grandeur." The Observer, 12th April 2015 ****
"These performances of the Second and Seventh Symphonies are impressive-particularly the case with the Second. Despite the work's popularity, or maybe because of it, no other Sibelius symphony has received so many disappointing recordings, some by very major conductors (think: Karajan, for example). Søndergård gets it right. Sonically the engineering is warm and well balanced, but the soft timpani and brass have a tendency to vanish into the texture and lose presence. Still, if this is the first disc in a planned cycle, it looks like it's going to be a very good one." (ClassicsToday April 2015)
Tracks:
Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43:
Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op.105:
