Classical Bargain Box Sets
- Thread starter lordsummit
- Start date
herb
brain's right hemisphere
I never really appreciated the music of Delius until now, must be old age!
Dipping into this box set works for me
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005RXKKQO/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
Dipping into this box set works for me
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005RXKKQO/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.
Barrymagrec
pfm Member
That`s a great set - it includes what is as far as I know the only complete recording of his opera Koanga which was never performed during Delius`s lifetime.
Marchbanks
Hat and Beard member
LSO is having an online sale and included is this 5-SACD/1-blu ray complete symphonies Sibelius box set for £20.24 delivered
Thanks. I have finally lost my SACD virginity.
windhoek
The Phoolosopher
I'm tempted myself as I'm a Sibelius virgin, as it were. I've heard of him but I don't think I've ever heard his music and known that it's his. I wonder what Todd would say as I know he owns the two Sibelius box sets by Rattle. I'll pop over to Youtube for a sample...
Marchbanks
Hat and Beard member
Forgive my ignorance, I don’t hang out here too often... I assume ‘Todd’ has nothing to do with Rundgren... no, thought not. I’ll get my coat.
windhoek
The Phoolosopher
Todd compared the twp Sibelius box set by Rattle here last year. I would have been interested to know his thoughts on this LSO box set... but it doesn't matter because after a quick listen to Sibelius 4 on Youtube, I'm confident that I'll be more happy with the box set so I went ahead and ordered a copy for myself anyway 
Marchbanks
Hat and Beard member
Being a heathen this was my first exposure to Sibelius when I was thirteen or so. I hope posting it doesn’t cause the entire classical section to self-immolate.
The guy saying ‘Yeah!’ in the middle of Keith’s Hammond disembowelling at 6’55” still cracks me up.
windhoek
The Phoolosopher
narabdela
who?
DG Originals volume 2 - mega bargain at £48-66
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01GIUU9EW/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01GIUU9EW/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.
Todd A
pfm Member
Todd compared the twp Sibelius box set by Rattle here last year. I would have been interested to know his thoughts on this LSO box set... but it doesn't matter because after a quick listen to Sibelius 4 on Youtube, I'm confident that I'll be more happy with the box set so I went ahead and ordered a copy for myself anyway
I've not heard that set, but I've heard Davis' first cycle and parts of the second cycle. He's a reliable hand in Sibelius. At the right price, I'm sure the LSO set would be a good buy.
If you are new to Sibelius, I'd say the 4th is not the easiest to start with. I'd start first with 5, then 2, 1, & 3. The 4th is a great piece, but not his most accessible, and maybe takes a bit more investment in time to appreciate - wouldn't want you to be put off this great composer!
windhoek
The Phoolosopher
It just so happens I've just finished listing to disc 1 featuring symphonies 1 and 4 from the Sibelius box set and based on what I've heard so far, I'll be more than happy to invest the time required to get to know these two symphonies and presumably, the same goes for the rest of the box set. However, I feel as though the conclusion to the 4th symphony is missing something. It's like Sibelius wrapped up the symphony with all the right notes and expression but then forgot to punctuate it with a bow tie of some sort. I listened to the fourth movement twice to see if I felt the same both times and I'm afraid I do. I can't say how the symphony ought to end, but it feels like it's missing something. A daaaaa, da-da, perhaps. Or maybe a da, da, daaaaa. I don't know. It just feels a tad unresolved.
alanbeeb
pfm Member
5, 6 & 7 are the best, with a shout out to the 3rd as a bit of transformational piece and neo-classical before neo-classical was a thing.
the 1st is really just reheated Tchaikovsky + standard end-19thC. romantic nationalism - pretty, picturesque but no masterpiece. The 2nd is something much more interesting, very original inn the first 3 movements compared to his contemporaries, but the bomabastic swinging tune in the finale puts me off - until the magnificent coda.
I've never really managed to grasp the 4th - its too austere and kind of grim, but its is very like distilled pure essence of Sibelius so still essential listening. Luckily the 5, 6 & 7th put more flesh on the bones and all three are wonderful.
Make sure you try his tone poems too - most especially "Night Ride and Sunrise" and Tapiola.
the 1st is really just reheated Tchaikovsky + standard end-19thC. romantic nationalism - pretty, picturesque but no masterpiece. The 2nd is something much more interesting, very original inn the first 3 movements compared to his contemporaries, but the bomabastic swinging tune in the finale puts me off - until the magnificent coda.
I've never really managed to grasp the 4th - its too austere and kind of grim, but its is very like distilled pure essence of Sibelius so still essential listening. Luckily the 5, 6 & 7th put more flesh on the bones and all three are wonderful.
Make sure you try his tone poems too - most especially "Night Ride and Sunrise" and Tapiola.
lordsummit
Moderator
I find the ending of the fifth incredibly frustrating. All that magnificent music, then just a perfect cadence laid bare. It always sounds incomplete to me.