Sibelius: Symphonies 1, 2, 3 & 5

So clean they squeak, and so clear they're almost invisible, these early 90s recordings of Sibelius' First, Second, Third and Fifth Symphonies with Mariss Jansons and the Oslo Philharmonic are no more than tolerable. As was true with the recordings of Tchaikovsky's symphonies by the same artists, these performances may delight listeners who prefer their Romantics dry-eyed and straight-forward. Anyone looking for the First's dark tragedy, the Second's mighty heroism, the Third's unstoppable energy, and the Fifth's overwhelming intensity, though, will not find those qualities here. Jansons' readings are well-controlled and thoroughly thought through, and the Norwegian orchestra's playing is crisp, bright, and colorful. But there is so much more to Sibelius' music, and so many recordings that deliver it, that it is hard to recommend these performances as anything more than alternative points of view, and not particularly interesting alternative points of view, either. EMI's digital sound is transparent but not especially immediate. ( allmusic.com)

Disc 1

  1. Finlandia, Op.26 Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  2. Symphony No. 1 In E Minor Op.39: I. Andante, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico Mariss Jansons/Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
  3. Symphony No. 1 In E Minor Op.39: II. Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento) Mariss Jansons/Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
  4. Symphony No. 1 In E Minor Op.39: III. Scherzo (Allegro - Lento (Ma Non Troppo) - Tempo I) Mariss Jansons/Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
  5. Symphony No. 1 In E Minor Op.39: IV. Finale: Quasi Una Fantasia (Andante - Allegro Molto) Mariss Jansons/Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
  6. Symphony No. 3 In C Major Op. 52: I. Allegro Moderato Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  7. Symphony No. 3 In C Major Op. 52: II. Andantino Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  8. Symphony No. 3 In C Major Op. 52: III. Moderato - Allegro (Ma Non Tanto) Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  9. Andante Festivo Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons

Disc 2

  1. Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 43: I. Allegretto Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  2. Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 43: II. Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  3. Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 43: III. Vivacissimo Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  4. Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 43: IV. Finale (Allegro Moderato) Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  5. Valse Triste Op. 44 Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  6. Symphony No. 5 In E Flat Major Op. 82: Tempo Molto Moderato - Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  7. Symphony No. 5 In E Flat Major Op. 82: Allegro Moderato Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  8. Symphony No. 5 In E Flat Major Op. 82: Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto - Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
  9. Symphony No. 5 In E Flat Major Op. 82: Allegro Molto Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons