Jean Sibelius: Symphonies No. 2 & No. 4 (Remastered) The Philharmonia & Herbert von Karajan

Cover Jean Sibelius: Symphonies No. 2 & No. 4 (Remastered)

Album info

Album-Release:
2022

HRA-Release:
13.04.2022

Label: Praga Digitals

Genre: Classical

Subgenre: Orchestral

Artist: The Philharmonia & Herbert von Karajan

Composer: Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

Album including Album cover Booklet (PDF)

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  • Jean Sibelius (1865 – 1957): Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43:
  • 1Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: I. Allegretto09:29
  • 2Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: II. Tempo andante, ma rubato - Andante sostenuto - Allegro - Andante sostenuto13:44
  • 3Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: III. Vivacissimo - Lento e suave - Tempo I06:47
  • 4Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: IV. Finale. Allegro moderato13:46
  • Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63:
  • 5Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: I. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio - Adagio - Tempo I - Adagio - Tempo I09:43
  • 6Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: II. Allegro molto vivace04:59
  • 7Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: III. Il tempo largo12:03
  • 8Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63: IV. Allegro09:22
  • Total Runtime01:19:53

Info for Jean Sibelius: Symphonies No. 2 & No. 4 (Remastered)



Two classic recordings by Karajan while he was in London as the imposed guest of Walter Legge, director of the Philharmonia Orchestra. The two symphonies form a lavish but unusual combination – Symphony no.2, the most popular of the seven created the composer of Valse Triste, and his curious Symphony no.4, a violent, arid, anti- Malherian dissertation infused with doubt and melancholy due to its baleful (augmented fourth) tritone interval, the hitherto spurned diabolus in musica. Two paradoxal masterworks.

Nowadays, in an age where there is a glut of Sibelius recordings to choose from, it’s easy to forget that Karajan was flying the flag for the composer at a time when his music was largely ignored outside of Finland, the UK and America. This release is a timely reminder of the excellence of the conductor’s early work with the Philharmonia Orchestra and it’s good to welcome these historic recordings back into circulation.

"There is a striking similarity between the two earlier versions. Sibelius himself was an admirer of the Philharmonia recording. It is certainly the coldest and most desolate of the 3 Karajans on offer. The first movement also has an underlying menace matched by no other conductor. Allowances have to be made for the 1953 mono recording but it is beautifully balanced and the Philharmonia strings are sonorous and dark. The ear quickly adjusts to the lean, dry sound. This is a tough, intense reading that is well worth hearing. There is, however, something for the potential purchaser to consider. These performances, in what to my ears sound like equally good transfers ..." (John Whitmore, MusicWeb International)

Philharmonia Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan, conductor

Digitally remastered

No biography found.

Booklet for Jean Sibelius: Symphonies No. 2 & No. 4 (Remastered)

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