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I am a major fan of Sibelius' orchestral music, and have multiple recordings in multiple formats of his symphonies. I'm also hoping to hear all of the symphonies live - thus far I am short just the 7th (and Kullervo, if you count that - would love to hear that live).
But - the man wrote a ton of other music, and I have yet to hear any of it. This isn't like me - I own substantial amounts of non-symphonic music of other major symphonists - Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Dvorak, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, etc. It seems pretty easy to learn what are the best works of those composers, and associated recommended recordings. But Sibelius seems to be primarily known and appreciated for his symphonies, tone poems, etc.
Any strongly recommended works, and recordings thereof?
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This is extremely helpful - can't wait to find some of this and spin it.
As stated above, the string quartet op 56 "Intimate Voices" is his chamber music masterpiece. I have the Emerson, Guarneri and Tempera (BIS 1466) quartets. They are markedly different performances with complementary pluses and minuses. Guarneri is the least intense, sometimes dull, but sometimes the most interesting and most revealing of the logic of the piece. Tempera is the most intense but sometimes incoherent.
Here are some brief pieces I like within albums that include a lot of less interesting music. Fortunately, eClassical allows you to buy individual tracks:
Lyric Pieces for piano, op 74, on BIS 196.
2 Serious Melodies for Cello & Piano, op 77, on BIS 817.
Andante Festivo for String Quartet, 1922, on BIS 1466 with the op 56 quartet.
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"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" - Michael McClure
It could be argued that the "Voces Intimae" quartet is Sibelius's greatest non-orchestral work. My favorite is probably the Guarneri Quartet on Philips (coupled with the Grieg string quartet; OOP, but easily obtainable on line). Bis has a couple of excellent recordings in its catalog as well. The Emerson Quartet recorded this for DG. It's well played and recorded, but IMO the performance doesn't capture the sense of "inwardness" that is an essential element of the score. Still worth investigating.Sibelius wrote some excellent songs--a recital disc might make a rewarding addition to your collection.
Edits: 07/16/14
Especially his transcriptions of his own works. There are 5 BIS recordings performed by Erik T Tawastjtjerna of which two are transcriptions, but all are worth having. FWIW I did not care so much for latter BIS recordings of his solo piano works.
Yes, Glenn Gould recorded a few of the piano works too:
Also, there's Sibelius' collection of Six Finnish Folksongs for piano, only moderately demanding in terms of technique, but quite characteristic in style. I assigned this set to one of my students many (30+) years ago - she had a Finnish mother and an Estonian father - a beautiful girl in every way, and she did a great job with this repertoire.
BIS has done a comprehensive job recording all of Sibelius's chamber music. However, except for the String Quartet, Op.56 "Voce Intimae" and the Piano Quintet in G minor, most of the rest is not particularly arresting. I have all of the BIS chamber releases which includes piano trios, piano quartets and several early string quartets and cannot muster much enthusiasm for the music despite convincing performances and recordings. Virtually all of these works are early in his career and don't reflect the mature voice we have come to know via his symphonic output.
Night Ride and Sunrise, Opus 55 was an absolute treat.
Terrific concert, wasn't it?
The Sibelius no. 6 was the best I've ever heard, and I have his earlier recording of it.
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