Finlandia

Completing the cycle of the seven symphonies of the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius is this remastered 2 CD recording from EMI of the performances by Paavo Berglund and the Helsinski Philharmonic Orchestra. Not only are the symphonies 5,6, and 7 given masterful performances, but the recording includes the rather rarely played 'The Oceanides' tone poem as well as the ever popular 'Finlandia' and 'Tapiola'. Again Berglund provides spacious sound and breathtaking climaxes in these works and the quality of sound from the Helsinki Philharmonic is solid.

Completing the cycle of the seven symphonies of the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius is this remastered 2 CD recording from EMI of the performances by Paavo Berglund and the Helsinski Philharmonic Orchestra. Not only are the symphonies 5,6, and 7 given masterful performances, but the recording includes the rather rarely played 'The Oceanides' tone poem as well as the ever popular 'Finlandia' and 'Tapiola'. Again Berglund provides spacious sound and breathtaking climaxes in these works and the quality of sound from the Helsinki Philharmonic is solid.

This new release from BR-Klassik brings together the most well-known works of Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius. Included in this disc are Sibelius Symphony No. 2 D Major op. 43, and Finlandia op. 26- Karelia Suite op. 11. The recordings on this album were made during autumn of 2015 in Munich, by The Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks. Conducting the orchestra is Mariss Jansons, who is well-known for his interpretation of Nordic music.

Completing the cycle of the seven symphonies of the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius is this remastered 2 CD recording from EMI of the performances by Paavo Berglund and the Helsinski Philharmonic Orchestra. Not only are the symphonies 5,6, and 7 given masterful performances, but the recording includes the rather rarely played 'The Oceanides' tone poem as well as the ever popular 'Finlandia' and 'Tapiola'. Again Berglund provides spacious sound and breathtaking climaxes in these works and the quality of sound from the Helsinki Philharmonic is solid.

These four discs collect Leif Segerstam's second cycle of the symphonies of Sibelius. First issued by Ondine in the early years of the 21st century as separate discs filled out with symphonic poems, the symphonies are here condensed into a cold, hard block of eternity. Segerstam's first Sibelius cycle for Chandos in the early Nineties aimed both barrels at eternity, but with the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra's colorful and dedicated but sometimes too cheerful playing, he didn't always hit it.

Svart Records proudly presents Sonny Rollins with the Heikki Sarmanto trio, in an extremely rare live performance at Finland Festival in the summer of 1972. Available for the first time, fifty years after it was initially recorded, this incredible show features Sarmanto on the Fender Rhodes electric piano, his brother Pekka Sarmanto on bass and Esko Rosnell on drums. Legend of American Jazz, “Saxophone Colossus” Sonny Rollins hand-picked Heikki Sarmanto and his Finnish trio for this night of improvisation and mutual respect that culminated in years of collaboration after.

Though it was the least well received by its intended dedicatee – Pablo de Sarasate – the third violin concerto of Camille Saint-Saëns has endured as one of his most popular concertos along with the A minor Cello Concerto and the Third Piano Concerto. The earlier two violin concertos, each written some 20 years before, are still noteworthy, lively concertos, but lack the same emotional impact and maturity of the seasoned B minor Concerto. What they may lack in depth is made up for with pyrotechnic virtuosic displays, perhaps explaining Sarasate's fondness. This Naxos album places the B minor Concerto first, ending with the C major Concerto, a program order that curiously seems to place the bigger "bang" finish at the beginning, closing with a less emphatic note.