Special offer. Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6
Hallé Orchestra, Mark Elder
A reading [of No. 4] in which tempos in general are on the ample side so that the first and third movements fail quite to sustain tension…This is a pity since the greatest care has evidently...
Special offer. Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6
Hallé Orchestra, Mark Elder
Purchase product
A reading [of No. 4] in which tempos in general are on the ample side so that the first and third movements fail quite to sustain tension…This is a pity since the greatest care has evidently...
About
Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé present the completion of their Sibelius Symphonies Cycle with inspiring performances of two of his most personal and characteristic works, both regarded as indispensable to an understanding of the composer. Sibelius began his Symphony No.4 at a time of personal crisis and the resulting work, noted for its depth of expression and intellectual originality, contains some of the darkest and most unsettling music he ever wrote. It is a piece of marked originality and striking imaginative power, captured to great effect in this recording. In contrast, the elusive Symphony No.6, has been described as being full of music that “seems to be almost constantly singing”. The orchestration is particularly haunting; throughout, the string section in particular captivates the listener, in one of the most beautiful and original pieces of music Sibelius wrote.
Contents and tracklist
Awards and reviews
May 2020
A reading [of No. 4] in which tempos in general are on the ample side so that the first and third movements fail quite to sustain tension…This is a pity since the greatest care has evidently been taken to mould phrasing and balance textures; the work is beautifully played and spaciously recorded…And in the exalted yet remote coda of the finale, the Hallé strings are radiant.
March 2020
It’s not that Elder sugars the pill – though his strings don’t shy from vibrato or touches of portamento – more that the conscious gesturing replaces the line drawing of legend with a full-on painting...Elder has an eye and ear on the bottom of his orchestra, aware that it’s the shape of the riverbed that controls the velocity of the water flowing over it.
March 2020
This Sibelius cycle is surely in the finest traditions of the orchestra. Anyone who has been following this Elder cycle should not hesitate to acquire this final instalment.
March 2020
few works are so rewarding on repeated listening … these are excellent performances, handsomely played and engineered
