Kar-Ming Chong <[log in to unmask]> writes:

>I'm considering to purchase the BIS series (with Vanska) on Sibelius
>(symphonies, suites etc) and I need list members' opinions on this
>on-going series.  After listening to Paul Kletzki's Sym 1 & 3 (Testament),
>Mravinsky's Sym 7 (Melodiya) and Sakari's 1 & 3 (Naxos), I feel that
>there is much to offer in Sibelius symphonies besides the Berglund
>interpretations (EMI and Finlandia).  So, any opinion for the BIS series?

My favorite series is Sanderling/Berlin Symphony Orchestra on the Berlin
label at a modest cost.  I also have the Berglund which I like, but not as
much as Colin Davis' (the recent, not 1970s set) on RCA.  Critics didn't
much care for Rattle/City of Birmingham on EMI, but it's a good appositive.
I wouldn't be without Bernstein/NYP on Sony.  The sonics aren't great, and
sometimes the energy seems misdirected, but on the whole a very good set.
I initially liked Leaper on Naxos and Saraste on Finlandia, but, the Naxos
sound notwithstanding, both lost my interest.  The new Naxos series by
Sakari/Iceland SO is very good, indeed exciting, and will probably rank
with Sanderling as my alternate favorite.  And don't forget Maazel/VPO on
London, probably the first set for many collectors.  It shows its age, but
remains a venerable workhorse.  Janson/Oslo on EMI is quite attractive,
although it gets little attention anymore.  I'd forego the Segerstram on
Chandos.  The BIS recording is good, but there's better value in Davis,
Sanderling, or Sakari.  I've not heard Ashkenazy's set on London, but he
does an okay job with the tone poems on the same label.

The Naxos Kullervo is outstanding.  I prefer it over Solenen/LAP on
Sony, which is also excellent.  Paavo Jarvi/Royal Stockholm recording
of Lemminkainen Suite on Virgin is wonderful.  Ormandy on Sony and
Karajan on EMI are about as good a set of tone poem as they get.  Neeme
Jarvi/Gothenburg SO on BIS do an excellent joy with the Humoreques and
Serenades.  Heifetz's Violin Concerto on RCA, while dated by sound, is
next to perfect.  I also like the Naxos Concerto.

Hope this helps.

Stephen Heersink
San Francisco
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