Kar-Ming Chong ([log in to unmask]) wrote: >Has anyone heard the complete Sibelius symphony set (1-7) by >Saraste/Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra - Live in St Petersburg on the >Finlandia label. Any thoughts as to how the cycle compares to Berglund's >earlier set in the EMI Forte series (mid-to-late 80s)? Short answer is: you can do better than both. I thought the Saraste was really awful, in the sense of dull and *this* was live? The Berglund gets better as it goes on - I can't sat I'm much impressed by his 1-3 (either EMI cycle, haven't heard the new one), 4 is better, 5 so-so, 6 very good and 7 not at all bad. However: I'd start collecting the new Naxos cycle, the 1/3 coupling is outstanding. (Not the old Leaper set bu a new one with the Iceland SO and a conductor whose name escapes me). Deryk Barker [log in to unmask]