About this Artist

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Editorial Reviews

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. Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

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