SIBELIUS: THE COMPLETE SYMPHONIES - John Barbirolli, Halle Orchestra (6 CDs)

Sir John Barbirolli's electrifying interpretations of the works of Jean Sibelius have inspired audiences all over the world. In a letter to Barbirolli, Sibelius declared himself to be a 'devoted admirer' of the conductor, adding that he was always happy to know that his compositions were in Barbirolli's 'masterful hands'. This collection features, among other works, the complete symphonies - including Barbirolli's speciality, No. 2 -, the incidental music of Pelléas et Mélisande and that great instrumental song of nationalism Finlandia. The recordings sound better than ever thanks to the new remastering done for the Barbirolli Edition. WARNER CLASSICS


Tracks
- Disc 1 -
1 Finlandia, Op. 26
2 Karelia Suite, Op. 11: I. Intermezzo
3 Karelia Suite, Op. 11: II. Ballade
4 Karelia Suite, Op. 11: III. Alla Marcia
5 Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49
6 2 Pieces from Kuolema, Op. 44: No. 1, Valse Triste
7 Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 Legends of the Kalevala: No. 4, Lemminkäinen's Return

- Disc 2 -
1 Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: I. Allegretto
2 Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: II. Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato
3 Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: III. Vivacissimo
4 Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: IV. Finale. Allegro Moderato
5 Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 Legends of the Kalevala: No. 2, the Swan of Tuonela

- Disc 3 -
1 Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82: I. Tempo Molto Moderato - Allegro Moderato - Presto
2 Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82: II. Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto
3 Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82: III. Allegro Molto - Un Pocchettino Largamente
4 Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105: I. Adagio
5 Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105: II. Un Pocchettino Meno Adagio - Vivacissimo - Adagio
6 Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105: III. Allegro Molto Moderato
7 Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105: IV. Vivace - Presto - Adagio

- Disc 4 -
1 Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39: I. Andante Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico
2 Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39: II. Andante, Ma Non Troppo Lento
3 Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39: III. Scherzo. Allegro
4 Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39: IV. Finale, Quasi Una Fantasia. Andante - Allegro Molto
5 Suite from Pelléas and Mélisande, Op. 46: No. 1, at the Castle Gate
6 Suite from Pelléas and Mélisande, Op. 46: No. 2, Mélisande
7 Suite from Pelléas and Mélisande, Op. 46: No. 9, the Death of Mélisande

- Disc 5 -
1 Symphony No. 4 in a Minor, Op. 63: I. Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagio
2 Symphony No. 4 in a Minor, Op. 63: II. Allegro Molto Vivace
3 Symphony No. 4 in a Minor, Op. 63: III. Il Tempo Largo
4 Symphony No. 4 in a Minor, Op. 63: IV. Allegro
5 Rakastava, Op. 14: I. the Lover
6 Rakastava, Op. 14: II. the Way of the Lover
7 Rakastava, Op. 14: III. Good Night My Beloved... Farewell
8 Romance in C Major, Op. 42
9 Suite from Pelléas and Mélisande, Op. 46: No. 7, Mélisande at the Spinning Wheel
10 Scènes Historiques I, Op. 25: No. 1, All'overtura
11 Scènes Historiques I, Op. 25: No. 2, Scena
12 Scènes Historiques II, Op. 66: No. 1, the Hunt

- Disc 6 -
1 Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52: I. Allegro Moderato
2 Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52: II. Andantino Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto
3 Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52: III. Moderato - Allegro, Ma Non Tanto
4 Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104: I. Allegro Molto Moderato
5 Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104: II. Allegro Moderato
6 Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104: III. Poco Vivace
7 Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104: IV. Allegro Molto