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James Tobin wrote:

> For the English horn, listen to Sibelius' Swan of Tuonela, from the
> Lemminkainen Suite--very extended prominent solo.  There is also a
> famous use of this instrument in Berlioz' Symphonie fantastique.

I normally resist posting negative comments, but I wish to warn you away
from the (thankfully unidentified) English-hornist on the recording of
Tuonela by the Wiener Philharmoniker under Sir Malcolm Sargent on an EMI
double set of Sibelius tone poems and songs.  Frankly, it's the worst
woodwind solo performance I've ever heard on record, and I cannot imagine
the reason for its inclusion in the set, particularly when a much better
performance is present on another EMI 2-CD set of Sibelius tone poems
(which set includes the entire Lemminkainen suite to boot).

Fortunately I have 3 other recordings of the work, all of which feature
fine soloists.

- seb

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