Dave Lampson wrote:

>BIS was also mentioned disparagingly in this regard, I think unfairly.
>I've been racking my brain trying to remember the exact reason for
>re-recording the Sibelius symphonies, but it was specific to the
>circumstance (perhaps something about Robert von Bahr, BIS's founder,
>not being happy with the sound or performance in one or more of the Jarvi
>performances).  In any case, if Vanska was available, he's a great choice
>for a new cycle as the critics have generally concurred.  To say nothing
>of the fact that this revisit has uncovered such gems as the original 1915
>version of the 5th Symphony and the original 1903/4 version of the Violin
>Concerto.  This duplication seems like an excellent decision in this
light.

There are three points I have to make regarding this:

These circumstances were - AFAIK- that the recordings made by Vanska
and his Lahti Orchestra were so outstanding, that BIS decided to have
the symphonies played by these forces too, to have the 'Complete Sibelius'
from one hand.  Unquestionably, musically we're much richer with the Vanska
cycle than we were without it.  That really wasn't my point when I
mentioned BIS earlier on.

Lastly, apparently they embarked on another Nielsen cycle too.  Not that
I wouldn't appreciate it, even though I haven't heard the first disc, I am
very curious about Vanska's opinion on the works.  Speculatively, I would
say that this is an attempt to revive the 'Complete Nielsen' project, which
hasn't come very far.

Regarding complete cycles from BIS, I've been wondering about the Complete
Kokkonen ('Koko Complete').  Is it going to be continued? Or supposed to
be complete? I understand that Alba has released the piano works, so they
should be included in a 'complete' edition?

Jan