A magnificent and epic work, so unusual and haunting. Segerstam/Helsinki is maybe my overall favorite. The maestro just recently passed unfortunately. RIP 🪦
I just want to say thank you. A big thank you. A really big one. There are only a few great recordings of what is my favourite symphony. It's a difficult one to do right. My personal favourite whilst flawed recording is the DG recording that Bernstein did just before he passed. I know the tempi is slow in places. BUT OH MY GOD. When the trombones come in with the heroic theme - it's like water crashing down a waterfall. It's a pure deeply spiritual performance. I'll take this to my grave. There are a few other great performances with much better tempi etc...but this one for me is the greatest. ❤❤❤
Oh, baby! One of my favorite pieces of music, and holy cow what a great recording! I've been stuck in Segerstam land with sibelius recordings and figured the Finnish know how to play Sibelius better than anyone, but boy does Lenny know a thing or two about this music as well! The last appearance of the majestic trombone theme on to the end in Bernstein's recording here made the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. This is going with me on hikes in the mountains from now on and will replace my Segerstam habit.
I have enjoyed this recording, too. One of the quirks about it is it was recorded in two separate sessions, years apart. You’d never know it. Some critic bombastically claimed he could tell, and I can’t imagine how you could. Sometimes, things just work; regardless of breaks or whatever.
It may be because I was discovering them at the same time, but I see parallels between the ending of the Sibelius 7 with its C major chord (i think) and Mahler's third ending with a long D major chord (again sorry if chord names are wrong). Both are relatively simple ways to end the work, both come after a lot of anticipation but also feel somewhat of a surprise when they do finally come..
That final B edging towards the C major cadence has to YEARN for the life of us all. It's such tremendous piece, the last few pages are nearly Brucknerian in the search for the C major ending.
There is something immensely poignant in the symphony, particularly in its final pages. After the orchestra's last dramatic outburst, a heart-wrenching sense of resignation and acceptance follows. The nimble flute solo heard at the beginning of the symphony appears for the final time, but with slower note values, as if stiffened by old age. The journey experienced has transformed the theme, just as life changes a person. On the final page, there is a nostalgic chord progression reminiscent of Valse triste, culminating in a grand resolution to the tonic - above which the notes D and C are heard one last time, the first two pitches of the prominent trombone theme. The entire conclusion radiates a sense of profound satisfaction and an almost superhuman logic. This is exactly how the symphony was inevitably meant to end.
@@anttivirolainen8223 For the most part I can agree with your programmatic explanations. I'm not sure if the C major conclusion is meant to be one of satisfaction or resignation when one considers all that's gone before.
@@violadamore2-bu2ch I think it’s the genius that lies at the heart of this symphony. Shafts of light and dark clouds constantly alternate, sometimes within the same musical phrase. That ending can sound dark or radiant, tense or blooming.
Dave, this may be the wrong thing to say, but I have about 8 great recordings of the 7th (Karajan, Blomstedt/SF. Segerstrom, Davis/Boston, Ormandy/Philadelphia, you name it - but not this Bernstein one which I need to get). However, ever since you recommended the Iceland Symphony / Sakari Version I consider it in a class of its own. It is simply so enjoyable.
For 1/2 that get the 60 CD Bernstein Symphony Edition box which has his Sibelius cycle, alas not remastered as in the box DH is holding. but still sounds good.
Great choice Dave. This has always been THE 7th. His vienna 7th is such a distended, smoothed out pale imitation, in such poor taste. The sonics in the sony recording are much better also. Paul
Another great suggestion. Thanks Dave. Just listened to it. Love it.
A magnificent and epic work, so unusual and haunting. Segerstam/Helsinki is maybe my overall favorite. The maestro just recently passed unfortunately. RIP 🪦
I just want to say thank you. A big thank you. A really big one. There are only a few great recordings of what is my favourite symphony. It's a difficult one to do right. My personal favourite whilst flawed recording is the DG recording that Bernstein did just before he passed. I know the tempi is slow in places. BUT OH MY GOD. When the trombones come in with the heroic theme - it's like water crashing down a waterfall. It's a pure deeply spiritual performance. I'll take this to my grave. There are a few other great performances with much better tempi etc...but this one for me is the greatest. ❤❤❤
Yes, something momentous is happening in this last symphony.
Oh, baby! One of my favorite pieces of music, and holy cow what a great recording! I've been stuck in Segerstam land with sibelius recordings and figured the Finnish know how to play Sibelius better than anyone, but boy does Lenny know a thing or two about this music as well! The last appearance of the majestic trombone theme on to the end in Bernstein's recording here made the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. This is going with me on hikes in the mountains from now on and will replace my Segerstam habit.
I have enjoyed this recording, too. One of the quirks about it is it was recorded in two separate sessions, years apart. You’d never know it. Some critic bombastically claimed he could tell, and I can’t imagine how you could. Sometimes, things just work; regardless of breaks or whatever.
Indeed it is a great recording!
I am a Finn and a Shostakovich enthusiast. After watching your videos about Sibelius, I might be ready to enter his realm.
Koussevitsky’s 7th with the Boston Symphony on Pearl and other historical labels is also quite superb.
Agreed, but I think that it's with the BBC Symphony
@ Ah yes indeed…
@@gregwhitaker7829BBC, yes. Live recording and lasts barely 21:00.
It may be because I was discovering them at the same time, but I see parallels between the ending of the Sibelius 7 with its C major chord (i think) and Mahler's third ending with a long D major chord (again sorry if chord names are wrong). Both are relatively simple ways to end the work, both come after a lot of anticipation but also feel somewhat of a surprise when they do finally come..
That final B edging towards the C major cadence has to YEARN for the life of us all. It's such tremendous piece, the last few pages are nearly Brucknerian in the search for the C major ending.
There is something immensely poignant in the symphony, particularly in its final pages. After the orchestra's last dramatic outburst, a heart-wrenching sense of resignation and acceptance follows. The nimble flute solo heard at the beginning of the symphony appears for the final time, but with slower note values, as if stiffened by old age. The journey experienced has transformed the theme, just as life changes a person.
On the final page, there is a nostalgic chord progression reminiscent of Valse triste, culminating in a grand resolution to the tonic - above which the notes D and C are heard one last time, the first two pitches of the prominent trombone theme. The entire conclusion radiates a sense of profound satisfaction and an almost superhuman logic. This is exactly how the symphony was inevitably meant to end.
@@anttivirolainen8223 For the most part I can agree with your programmatic explanations.
I'm not sure if the C major conclusion is meant to be one of satisfaction or resignation when one considers all that's gone before.
@@violadamore2-bu2ch I think it’s the genius that lies at the heart of this symphony. Shafts of light and dark clouds constantly alternate, sometimes within the same musical phrase. That ending can sound dark or radiant, tense or blooming.
Dave, this may be the wrong thing to say, but I have about 8 great recordings of the 7th (Karajan, Blomstedt/SF. Segerstrom, Davis/Boston, Ormandy/Philadelphia, you name it - but not this Bernstein one which I need to get). However, ever since you recommended the Iceland Symphony / Sakari Version I consider it in a class of its own. It is simply so enjoyable.
Glad you think so!
Thanks for this, but ... I just checked the price on both Amazon and Ebay - $195. Sad I have to pass on this one.
Good grief!
For 1/2 that get the 60 CD Bernstein Symphony Edition box which has his Sibelius cycle, alas not remastered as in the box DH is holding. but still sounds good.
just stream it for $10/mo or whatever
Great choice Dave. This has always been THE 7th. His vienna 7th is such a distended, smoothed out pale imitation, in such poor taste. The sonics in the sony recording are much better also.
Paul
Dave, when your fellow critic compared Sibelius to Mahler as white dwarf star to a red giant, he was referring to the 7th.
I know. I was there.