Thomas Sondergard - Sibelius: Symphonies 1 & 6 - CPR

The seven symphonies written by Jean Sibelius occupy a place somewhere between the Romantic and the modern. The harmonic language is more in line with Tchaikovsky than Stravinsky, and the symphonies are filled with melodies. But the thematic development and streamlining of form look forward and plant Sibelius firmly in the 20th century. Thomas Sondergard and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales emphasize these modernist tendencies with performances that are not effusively emotional, highly mannered or overly cerebral. Instead, they strike a balance between external reserve and the deeply human heart of these symphonies. The nuanced interplay of solo clarinet and timpani at the beginning of Symphony No. 1 illustrates the connection between conductor, orchestra, and score.