Sibelius: Tone Poems, Symphonies 4-5 (Remastered) (SACD2)

SACD1

1. Finlandia, Op. 26
2. En Saga, Op. 9
3. Tapiola, Op. 112
4. The Swan of Tuonela (from Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 “Legends of the Kalevala”)

SACD2

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. Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82, I. Tempo molto moderato – Largamente – Allegro moderato – Presto
6. Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82, II. Andante mosso, quasi allegretto
7. Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82, III. Allegro molto – Largamente assai

Fourth release of our series of Herbert von Karajan Hybrid SACDs with a new HD 192/24 remastering from the original tapes.

“Karajan is a great master,” wrote Jean Sibelius in 1955, while the conductor said that Sibelius “is a composer who cannot really be compared to anyone else”. Gramophone added in 1981: “No living conductor has done more for the music of Sibelius than Herbert von Karajan.”

In the tone poems and the two symphonies in this collection, Karajan explores with the magnificent Berlin Philharmonic the music’s mysteries, unfolds its structures and releases its exhilarating power.