Admirers of
Jean Sibelius' evocative tone poems may already have favorite recordings of such famous works as the ubiquitous Finlandia, Op. 26; Karelia Suite, Op. 11; The Swan of Tuonela (from Four Legends from Kalevala, Op. 22); and En Saga, Op. 9; but to become an authority on this music, one really needs to hear
Neeme Järvi's comprehensive and rewarding recordings with the
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra on this 2005 Trio compilation from Deutsche Grammophon. First released as three separate albums in 1996, 1997, and 2000, these CDs really belong together in a set, not only for the sake of convenience, but also because
Järvi's full survey makes a compelling case for these pieces as a body of work as serious and valid as
Sibelius' seven symphonies, and not just rehashes of the tired warhorses regularly trotted out in pops concerts.
Järvi and the
GSO are superb in all the performances, though some of their most interesting and exciting playing is found in the less egregiously obvious tone poems, such as The Oceanides, Op. 73; Night Ride and Sunrise, Op. 55; and the great Tapiola, Op. 112. Because so much music of high quality is included in this affordable set, newcomers would do well to try it instead of the less expensive but far less satisfying greatest-hits CDs.