Roger Hecht responds to John Smyth:

>> Now here is a miracle, in every way: Sibelius Symphony 2 with Barbirolli
>> on Chesky, (CR3).  I know quite a few Sibelius 2nds, including the usual
>> suspects, Karajan, Szell, and Davis.  This one beats them all. ...
>
>Agreed on all counts.  For more of Sir John's Sibelius, seek out his
>complete set of the symphonies plus some tone poems on EMI.  ...

Hardly surprising that Barbarolli excels.  Sibelius himself is reported
to have said "It is sad that a Finnish composer has to come to England
to hear Finnlandia played properly", after attending a JB concert.  (And
to my mind that particular recording is unmatchable.  Those trumpets!!)

Ernie Smart