Nice to see that Mariss Jansons is bringing his superb Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra to the Proms in London. Two concerts at the Royal Albert Hall on 31st August and 1st September, 09. The good news is that Sibelius's first symphony is featured in the first concert. I don't have any of Jansons Sibelius on Cd. Anyone familier with his recordings.--kp

kullervopete wrote:

Nice to see that Mariss Jansons is bringing his superb Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra to the Proms in London. Two concerts at the Royal Albert Hall on 31st August and 1st September, 09. The good news is that Sibelius's first symphony is featured in the first concert. I don't have any of Jansons Sibelius on Cd. Anyone familier with his recordings.--kp

Jansons has only recorded the second on the Concertgebouw's "Live" label. It's pretty darn good (it's the Concertgebouw, after all), but nothing to go nuts over. (The only reason I've heard this is that the RCO gave it out free as an MP3 file in celebration of their 120th anniversary last year.)

World Violist wrote:

Jansons has only recorded the second on the Concertgebouw's "Live" label. It's pretty darn good (it's the Concertgebouw, after all), but nothing to go nuts over. (The only reason I've heard this is that the RCO gave it out free as an MP3 file in celebration of their 120th anniversary last year.)

Thanks, one of my all time favorite Sibelius seconds features the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. Can you name the conductor -kp

Would you any chance be thinking of the George Szell one, Kp?

I seem to remember some interesting things in Jansons' Oslo Sibb recordings, though I must confess I haven't played them for a long time. Real interpretations and vivid music-making even if one might quibble with some details.

Yes indeed Andrew, Szells 1965 recording is still one of the best [I was hoping that World Violist might have known -kp

kullervopete wrote:

Yes indeed Andrew, Szells 1965 recording is still one of the best [I was hoping that World Violist might have known -kp

Actually, I would never have guessed.

Never heard Jansson's Sibelius. I have heard his Rite of Spring, however, and it sucks.

Tapkaara wrote:

Never heard Jansson's Sibelius. I have heard his Rite of Spring, however, and it sucks.

Very fine example of, uh, concision you have brought to this thread *cough*.

I've never been terribly keen on hearing anything of Jansons', though I figure I should probably hear some of his Shostakovich anyway.

My first comment having been said, it would be somewhat interesting to hear more of his Sibelius, even though his second wasn't entirely as promising as were the names.

World Violist wrote:

I have heard his Rite of Spring, however, and it sucks. Very fine example of, uh, concision you have brought to this thread *cough*.

Sucking and coughing at the same time will for sure result in a great mess.

Andrew B wrote:

World Violist wrote: I have heard his Rite of Spring, however, and it sucks. Very fine example of, uh, concision you have brought to this thread *cough*. Sucking and coughing at the same time will for sure result in a great mess.

Oh Mariss, what have you done to us?

i had his sibelius 2 with oslo for awhile. it was fine but did not grab me.

dj

Last night I heard the Prom broadcast from Londons Royal Albert Hall of Sibelius's first symphony with The Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam under Maris Jansons. Without a doubt this was one of the best firsts that I have heard in a long time. In fact Jansons conducted the work as I see it. Who says that only Finnish orchestras can get inside this music, and they played with heart. When the great tune made its final glorious appearance in the finale, the strings positively sang, but full marks to all departments of the orchestra and especially the timpanist. Jansons on this evidence has certainly revealed himself as a powerful Sibelian. Unusually the symphony opened the concert, closing with Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe.--kp