Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Santtu-Matias Rouvali
The Fourth is Sibelius's most difficult symphony. For some, it is his masterpiece. When the symphony was premiered on 3 April 1911 in Helsinki, one critic compared it to Barkbrod - tree bark eaten by the Finns in times of famine! It is fittingly a Finn, conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, who explores this symphony that lays bare our emotions. With his Goteborg Symphony Orchestra, he continues his cycle of the complete Sibelius symphonies, with the addition of the famous Valse Triste and the symphonic poem inspired by Swedish folklore called The Wood Nymph.
It's a strong Fourth, worthy of comparison with the best, but the performance of The Wood Nymph is simply the best to appear so far. Symphonic drive and story-telling are balanced magnificently throughout, right up to the opulently grim ending. Early Sibelius it may be, but it’s gripping, atmospheric and utterly unique.
The music [of The Wood Nymph] catches the spirit of Rydberg’s poem rather well and, in turn, Rouvali and the Gothenburgers provide a performance to match, full of sweep to rival Vänskä’s premiere recording in Lahti.
57 Akadimias Street, Athens
Zip. 106 79
T. +30 210 3626137 - int.1
E. [email protected]
Login
Ελληνικά
English