Welcome to ‘Dodd’s Discoveries’, a review series from NativeDSD Senior Music Reviewer Bill Dodd. This series focuses on Bill’s latest selections, with new reviews regularly. And the best part… the albums featured in the most current review will be available at a reduced price! Click the button below to see all of Dodd’s Discoveries and to find the current album(s) on sale.
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Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7, The Tempest€17,99 – €29,99
I was in my mid-teens when I first became aware of the music of Jean Sibelius– Finlandia, the Second Symphony– the usual. I eventually started listening to his other symphonies, and I was hooked. The Fifth Symphony became my favorite.
Many years later I came across a used LP featuring Sir Thomas Beecham’s recording of the Seventh (rec. 1955). Who can say what it is about a given recording or performance that has that magical effect on us— Suddenly that 20 minute one-movement symphony became one of my absolute favorites of all time. And it wasn’t just the Beecham recording. I began to hear the magic in many of my recordings of the Seventh. I also was able to hear a lack of emotion in some of the others. That’s not an issue with this recent album!
Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducts the excellent Gothenberg Symphony Orchestra in Sibelius’ Symphonies No. 6 and 7, and extracts from Sibelius’ Incidental Music for The Tempest.
The Seventh is full of emotion. There is struggle and there is peace. There are growling basses, and comforting violins. Somehow one is left with a feeling of awe, rather like coming around a bend and seeing a wonderful view of mountains.
The Sixth is also delightful– perhaps more sunshine than some, but it really works.
I think Sibelius is one of the “giants” of 20th Century music! The Gothenberg Orchestra is superb, Rouvali’s interpretation is quite fine, and The recording lacks nothing. Highly recommended!
