Title: Jean Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7
Release year: 2014/2015
Genre: Classical
Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle
Artist: Berliner Philharmoniker

Description:

For Simon Rattle, Jean Sibelius is "one of the most staggeringly original composers that there is". And indeed, this music has especially succinctly conveyed in Sibelius's seven symphonies. There is a sonorous warmth as much as there is austere Nordic folklore. In addition, there is a conceptual boldness that takes the listener on an exciting musical journey of discovery. In 2015, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sibelius's birth, Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker presented the cycle live, which was met with unanimous delight by audiences and critics alike. "The Philharmoniker show that with them and Simon Rattle, Sibelius is in excellent hands," wrote the Berliner Zeitung, "because the orchestra has that astringency and sheer power.

Simon Rattle was familiar with the music of Jean Sibelius from childhood. When, as a ten-year-old, he heard the Fifth Symphony live for the first time, it struck him-to use his own words-like a thunderbolt. The Berliner Philharmoniker can also look back on a long Sibelius tradition and the orchestra was conducted by the composer himself in 1902. However, the first complete performance of the seven symphonies was not realized until 2010 under the direction of Sir Simon Rattle, with the Third Symphony being performed by the Philharmoniker for the first time. For many music lovers in Berlin, this new encounter with Sibelius was an exhilarating experience, and it was only natural to repeat the performance of the cycle in Sibelius's anniversary year.

The complete recording of the symphonies is now being released in an exclusive edition. The release presents the symphonies not only on 4 CDs, but also on two Blu-ray discs as HD video, in uncompressed audio resolution and DTS surround sound. The extensive product features include a comprehensive booklet and an hour-long video interview in which Sir Simon Rattle talks on seven symphonies.

Recorded: Berlin Philharmonie, 18-20 December 2014 (5), 28 January - 6 February 2015 (1-4), 7-9 February 2015 (5-7).

Tracklist
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
  Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39
1. I. Andante, ma non troppo - Allegro energico 10:40
2. II. Andante 09:21
3. III. Scherzo: Allegro 05:12
4. IV. Finale: Andante - Allegro molto 12:25
  Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43
5. I. Allegretto 09:38
6. Tempo andante, ma rubato 13:49
7. III. Vivacissimo 06:00
8. IV. Finale: Allegro moderato 13:48
  Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52
9. I. Allegro moderato 10:13
10. II. Andantino con moto, quasi allegretto - Un pocchettino con moto - Tempo primo 09:21
11. III. Moderato - Allegro (Ma non tanto) - Semper energico 08:43
  Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63
12. I. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio 10:24
13. II. Allegro molto vivace - Doppio più lento 04:43
14. III. Il tempo largo 11:45
15. IV. Allegro 10:01
  Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82
16. I. Tempo molto moderato - Allegro moderato - Presto - Più presto 13:08
17. II. Andante mosso, quasi allegretto - Tranquillo - Poco a poco stretto - Tempo primo 08:17
18. III. Allegro molto - Misterioso - Largamente assai - Un pochettino stretto 09:08
  Symphony No. 6 in D Minor, Op. 104
19. I. Allegro molto moderato 09:10
20. II. Allegretto moderato 06:02
21. III. Poco vivace 03:35
22. IV. Allegro molto 10:22
  Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105
23. Adagio 09:42
24. Vivacissimo - Adagio 02:44
25. Allegro molto moderato - Allegro moderato 03:58
26. Vivace - Presto - Adagio - Largamente molto - Affettuoso 05:23

Issued: Germany | Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings
Duration: 3:48:51