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Posted by Jan van Es
on August 7, 2008, 1:19 pm
194.26.142.32
After the review by the highly esteemed Rob Barnett I was so curious to buy this set. As RB is not that enthousiastic about the readings of Segerstam, I was keen to know how I should think of the performances.
Slow Sibelius can be great, Barnett states, to draw the conclusion that Segerstam's slow Sibelius is not. However, I think these performances are great. Sometimes Segerstam reminds me of the last Sibelius-recordings by Bernstein, controversial as they may be, but always great music. Sometimes I thought of Celibidaches Bruckner-performances. Far too slow in a way and yet almost always convincing.
Segerstam isn't always convincing, but the listener gets quite a lot to cherish. The first symphony for instance not only reminds of Tchaikovsky, but also of Bruckner and always with a northern touch. And slow as it is, it sounds very convincing. I liked the second less, although the second movement is played beautifully. The third is indeed slow, but the tempi are so much better chosen than Gibsons first reading on Saga, the first third I ever heard. And this Saga-performance was a lot better than Gibsons second (?) on Chandos, my first Sibelius 3 on cd and ever a great disappointment, as were the 6th and 7th on the same cd. I never got used tot the fast tempo en the uninspired playing.
The fourth is as exiting as Beechams recording made in the thirties and once released on a World Records LP.
RB is right: there are better performances, but as a set this is wonderful stuff with much, much to enjoy. And at this price there is no need to listen to only these cd's. If there is some room left on the shelf, there is a wide choice in excellent Sibelius. But this set should be on that shelf!
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