Decca has been releasing cycles of the symphonies of Sibelius about once a decade since the introduction of the long playing record. In the '50s, there was the stern-faced Anthony Collins with the lean London Symphony Orchestra. In the '60s, there was the baby-faced Lorin Maazel with the lush Vienna Philharmonic. In the '80s, there was the craggy-faced Vladimir Ashkenazy with the powerful Philharmonia Orchestra. In the '90s, there was the poker-faced Herbert Blomstedt with the colorful San Francisco Symphony. Each cycle has ...
Read More
Decca has been releasing cycles of the symphonies of Sibelius about once a decade since the introduction of the long playing record. In the '50s, there was the stern-faced Anthony Collins with the lean London Symphony Orchestra. In the '60s, there was the baby-faced Lorin Maazel with the lush Vienna Philharmonic. In the '80s, there was the craggy-faced Vladimir Ashkenazy with the powerful Philharmonia Orchestra. In the '90s, there was the poker-faced Herbert Blomstedt with the colorful San Francisco Symphony. Each cycle has its advocates. Those who like their whiskey neat tend toward the Collins/LSO. Those who like their martinis dry incline in the direction of the Maazel/VPO. Those who like their vodka ice cold and 110 proof prefer the Ashkenazy/PO. And those who like herb tea with warm milk go for the Blomstedt/SFS.In 2006, with four cycles to choose from for re-release, Decca gave the nod to the Blomstedt/SFS. Although a skillful and experienced conductor, Blomstedt's interpretations too often paper...
Read Less
Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2024 Rovi Corporation.