These discs restore to the catalog Alexander Gibson and the Scottish National Orchestra''s 1977 recordings of ten of Sibelius'' tone poems. Most of the favorites are here -- "Finlandia" and "En Saga," but not, however, "Valse Triste" -- and most of the performances are first-rate. Gibson was a powerfully individualistic conductor whose Sibelius interpretations were dramatically heroic at their best. Gibson is at his best in the less well-known works. His "Night Ride and Sunrise" is evocative and ecstatic. His "The Oceanides" is supple and mysterious. Some listeners might find his "Tapiola" too fast, but none would deny its strength. And all listeners will find his ...
These discs restore to the catalog Alexander Gibson and the Scottish National Orchestra''s 1977 recordings of ten of Sibelius'' tone poems. Most of the favorites are here -- "Finlandia" and "En Saga," but not, however, "Valse Triste" -- and most of the performances are first-rate. Gibson was a powerfully individualistic conductor whose Sibelius interpretations were dramatically heroic at their best. Gibson is at his best in the less well-known works. His "Night Ride and Sunrise" is evocative and ecstatic. His "The Oceanides" is supple and mysterious. Some listeners might find his "Tapiola" too fast, but none would deny its strength. And all listeners will find his "Luonnotar" with soprano Phyllis Bryn-Julson overwhelmingly compelling. With the technically superb and brilliantly colorful playing of the Scottish National Orchestra, Gibson''s Sibelius recordings are arguably the best English Sibelius recordings between Barbirolli and Colin Davis. Chandos'' 2004 remastering of the 1977 recordings is superlative. The originals were hard, harsh, and glassy, but these reissues are deep, lush, and warm.
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Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide - James Leonard
These discs restore to the catalog Alexander Gibson and the Scottish National Orchestra''s 1977 recordings of ten of Sibelius'' tone poems. Most of the favorites are here -- "Finlandia" and "En Saga," but not, however, "Valse Triste" -- and most of the performances are first-rate. Gibson was a powerfully individualistic conductor whose Sibelius interpretations were dramatically heroic at their best. Gibson is at his best in the less well-known works. His "Night Ride and Sunrise" is evocative and ecstatic. His "The Oceanides" is supple and mysterious. Some listeners might find his "Tapiola" too fast, but none would deny its strength. And all listeners will find his ...