That is how Sibelius embarked upon one of the great symphony cycles. This modest opening contains much of the material of the first movement. Osmo Vanska takes this movement at a lively pace, which for me makes sense when it comes to the tempo changes that come at a later point. Vanska gives the scherzo an energetic bite, often missing from many recordings. In the finale Vanska really displays his flair for this music, taking the marking of Quasi una fantasia at its word.
The other work on the disc is the dark and brooding fourth symphony. Sibelius wrote this work during a health scare (throat cancer symptoms which turned out to be benign). Its fragmented nature has made this symphony the least performed of the seven numbered symphonies. Vanska is a great ambassador for this work as he seems to have a deep understanding of it. He makes the most of its thick string textures and dark orchestral hues.
This second release from BIS of this cycle is most welcome and compliments Vanska's previous cycle from the Lahti SO on the same label.
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Written by Jason Hatton
Minnesota Orchestra & Osmo Vanska
"Exceptional: incredibly tense and energetic, yet teeming with detail. The orchestral sound, lithe and sparse, suits Vanska's unsentimental approach" The Times, 27 April 2013
Sibelius - Symphony No. 2, The Oceanides & Pohjolas Daughter The Halle Orchestra & Sir Mark Elder
"The Halle strings conjure up wondeful dark hues in the opening of Pohjola, and a silvery lightness to underpin the dancing woodwing in The Oceanides. Elder's approach to the symphony is a measure, slow-burning one. He's careful no to ratchet up the drama too early." The Guardian, 16th May 2013
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