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
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