Okko Kamu - Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7 (2015) [SACD]

During this 150th anniversary year of Jean Sibelius, his music is being performed and discussed more widely than ever. As might be expected, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, noted for its numerous and often revelatory Sibelius recordings, is planning its own homage: all seven symphonies will be performed at the 2015 edition of the orchestra's annual Sibelius Festival. With principal conductor Okko Kamu the Lahti SO has also prepared a special birthday present for their great compatriot. Recorded between 2012 and 2014 this new anniversary cycle is released as a boxed set of three SACDs with a surround sound option, and is accompanied by an ample booklet with informative notes by Andrew Barnett, author of a Sibelius biography. Kamu first came to international notice when he won the Karajan Competition in 1969 and later conducted the Berlin Philharmonic and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in the first three of Sibelius's symphonies for inclusion in Karajan's Sibelius cycle on Deutsche Gramophone. Needless to say, he has conducted these works numerous times since then, in Finland and abroad, but has never before put his name to a complete cycle on disc. A previous recording by the Lahti/Kamu team may raise certain expectations, however: released in 2011, the recording of Sibelius's Tapiola and two Tempest Suites was awarded a Diapason d'Or de l'Année, amongst other distinctions.

Tracks:

Disc 1

Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39 (1898–99, rev. 1900) (Breitkopf & Hartel) 38’24
1. I. Andante, ma non troppo – Allegro energico Eeva Maenluoma clarinet 10’35
2. II. Andante (ma non troppo lento) 9’14
3. III. Scherzo. Allegro 5’32
4. IV. Finale (Quasi una Fantasia). Andante – Allegro molto 12’42

Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63 (1909–11) (Breitkopf & Hartel) 38’07
5. I. Tempo molto moderato, quasi adagio Ilkka Palli cello 11’16
6. II. Allegro molto vivace 4’50
7. III. Il tempo largo 11’46
8. IV. Allegro 9’51

Disc 2

Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 (1901–02) (Breitkopf & Hartel) 44’56
1. I. Allegretto 9’41
2. II. Tempo Andante, ma rubato 14’26
3. III. Vivacissimo – attacca – 6’11
4. IV. Finale. Allegro moderato (20’34) 14’23

Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82 (Wilhelm Hansen) 34’42
(1914–15, rev. 1916 & 1919)
5. I. Tempo molto moderato – Allegro moderato 15’08
6. II. Andante mosso, quasi allegretto 9’29
7. III. Allegro molto – Largamente assai 9’48

Disc 3

Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 52 (1904–07) (Lienau) 29’29
1. I. Allegro moderato 10’11
2. II. Andantino con moto, quasi allegretto 10’05
3. III. Moderato – Allegro (ma non tanto) 8’55

Symphony No. 6 (in D minor), Op.104 (1922–23) (Wilhelm Hansen) 29’06
4. I. Allegro molto moderato 8’51
5. II. Allegretto moderato 6’43
6. III. Poco vivace 3’26
7. IV. Allegro molto 9’45

8. Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op.105 (1923–24) (Wilhelm Hansen) 22’40
in one movement Vesa Lehtinen trombone

Jean Sibelius:
Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39 (1898–99, rev. 1900)
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 (1901–02)
Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 52 (1904–07)
Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63 (1909–11)
Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82 (1914–15, rev. 1916 & 1919)
Symphony No. 6 (in D minor), Op. 104 (1922–23)
Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 105 (1923–24)

Personnel:

Lahti Symphony Orchestra
Okko Kamu (conductor)