Barbirolli Sibelius on Testament

[A. Brain]

Another rave review in the current ARG,
the 2d and the 5th.

These are probably my two favorite
Sibelius symphonies. So maybe I
need to check this out?

--
A. Brain

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[Allen]

A. Brain wrote:
> Another rave review in the current ARG,
> the 2d and the 5th.
>
> These are probably my two favorite
> Sibelius symphonies. So maybe I
> need to check this out?
>

There are at least three 2ds on LP from Barbirolli, as I recall. One of
them, released by Pye and with the Halle orchestra, is my all-time
favorite of the work. The other two aren't bad.
Allen

[pgaron]

The Sibelius 2nd on the Testament CD is the studio one with the Royal
Phil. Orchestra that was issued years ago on the audiophile Chesky
label. It was originally recorded by the Gerhardt/Wilkinson team for
Reader's Digest; it's a fine performance, with terrific sonics to
boot.

The "live" Sibelius 5th, with the Halle Orchestra, was released
several years ago on a BBC Classics CD (the forerunner to BBC
Legends); that label is now defunct. I prefer it to the EMI studio
recording because it's more highly energized and very exciting.

To have these two performances coupled together makes this a very
recommendable CD, IMO. Here is some information about the history of
these recordings:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//SBT1418.htm

pgaron

[jrs...@aol.com]

Thanks for the info. The RPO 2nd is overall a great choice for
reissue, though I have my fondness for the NY Phil performance on
Dutton.

I've never compared the live 5th to the studio one, but I know I
didn't care enough for the studio cycle to keep. Probably a bad
decision, but I don't think I'll ever care enough to re-purchase it.

--Jeff