Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 4-7; The Swan of Tuonela; Tapiola

While people tend to be either all-in or all-out on Sibelius, this set, and particularly the performance of the Fifth Symphony, has something for almost everyone. For the believers, Sibelius’s familiar sonic vistas and Nordic weltschmerz have rarely sounded better; for the skeptics, rich color, meticulous texture and thrilling ensemble playing are present in enough abundance to be challenging. Karajan and the Philharmonic particularly rise to the occasion in a beautiful and intense performance of the third movement of the Fifth.