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Sibelius and Ravel - Recommendations anyone?

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Author	Topic: Sibelius and Ravel - Recommendations anyone?

franz_conrad Standard Userer	Desplat's introduction note in THE GOLDEN COMPASS album notes the influence of these two composers on his music. I must admit, somehow in the rush to catch up on Bartok, Stravinsky, Adams, Corigliano, and others this last year, these two composers have completely passed me by. Any recommendations? Good places to start? (Assume that I know 'Bolero' and 'Finlandia'.)
posted 12-09-2007 04:43 AM PT (US)

Jim Ware Standard Userer	I highly recommend the RCA Living Stereo recording of Ravel's 'Daphnis et Chloe': Amazon link here! As for Sibelius, I rather like the LSO Live recordings of Symphonies 3, 5, 6, 7 and Kullervo. They're also rather cheap. See here. Marian will undoubtedly be along shortly to provide more Sibelius recommendations. [Message edited by PeterK on 12-15-2007]
posted 12-09-2007 05:21 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Standard Userer	The 8-disc Berglund set is brilliant all the way through: Amazon Link here If you can't find it for a good price, the violin concerto (which is missing from this set anyway) and 5th symphony are good places to start. [Message edited by PeterK on 12-15-2007]
posted 12-09-2007 06:27 AM PT (US)

NeoVoyager Standard Userer	Well, me being........ me, I'd have to recommend Sibelius' violin concerto and Ravel's Tzigane for Violin and Orchestra. The former is an absolutely superb work with shades of brooding and darkness throughout. It's one of my favorite v.c.'s in the entire repertoire. The latter is a rather engaging concoction of gypsy-styled virtuoso violin work. Both *** / ***!
posted 12-09-2007 08:41 AM PT (US)

Demetris Christodoulides Standard Userer	Finlandia is Sibelius' most beautiful and captivating work, imo. Totally, wholly recommended. As for Ravel, i'd too recommend Tzigane for Violin and Orchestra for starters.
posted 12-09-2007 10:37 AM PT (US)

Alexborn007 Standard Userer	I'd also recommend seeking out the ballet "Daphnis et Chloe". It's magnificent. There are two suites which are pretty popular repertoire, but the complete work is great too. The opening will blow you away.
posted 12-09-2007 10:42 AM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	Thanks for the suggestions, gents. Sounds like for Ravel: - Daphnis and Chloe - Tzigane And for Sibelius: - Bloody everything they could fit on eight discs - Concerto for violin
posted 12-09-2007 09:09 PM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Standard Userer	To a film music listener, the opening of the violin concerto might sound... slightly familiar.
posted 12-10-2007 11:47 AM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Marian Schedenig: The 8-disc Berglund set is brilliant all the way through: Amazon Link here If you can't find it for a good price, the violin concerto (which is missing from this set anyway) and 5th symphony are good places to start. I second the Berglund recommendation, in fact, I think it was you Marian who recommended it to me? I have two sets of Ravel's complete orchestral works, one by Charles Dutoit and another by Claudio Abaddo, both are excellent four CD sets that are resonably priced. Not one bad work in the whole lot
posted 12-10-2007 12:27 PM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Marian Schedenig: To a film music listener, the opening of the violin concerto might sound... slightly familiar. A good tease that....
posted 12-10-2007 12:28 PM PT (US)

moviescore Standard Userer	Oh, Ravel is one of my favourite composers... actually, I have a very personal memory related to his music: one of his compositions, Mother Goose, was the first that brought me to tears (I guess I was about 12 years old) just because it was so moving and beautiful. Mother Goose is a great little "film score"-like suite and you should really check it out. I think it has been a quite big influence on a lot of film music. mc
posted 12-11-2007 06:40 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Timmer: I second the Berglund recommendation, in fact, I think it was you Marian who recommended it to me? I have recommended the set before. On the other hand, I think I bought it on recommendation (was it Dinko?) on this board myself. So it might have been me, or not.
posted 12-11-2007 10:48 AM PT (US)

NeoVoyager Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Marian Schedenig: To a film music listener, the opening of the violin concerto might sound... slightly familiar. I'm a film music listener, and never has the opening sounded vaguely familiar. Pray do tell?
posted 12-11-2007 07:11 PM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Standard Userer	City in the Clouds
posted 12-12-2007 11:58 AM PT (US)

NeoVoyager Standard Userer	The track from "The Empire Strikes Back"? Alright then... I'm not too familiar with that score. I know my Sibelius a tad bit better than my "Star Wars". ducks [Message edited by NeoVoyager on 12-12-2007]
posted 12-12-2007 01:05 PM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Standard Userer	Yes. I was very familiar with ESB when I first heard the Sibelius concerto, though it took me weeks to figure out where I'd heard that motif before.
posted 12-12-2007 05:02 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Timmer: I have two sets of Ravel's complete orchestral works, one by Charles Dutoit and another by Claudio Abaddo, both are excellent four CD sets that are resonably priced. Not one bad work in the whole lot Neither of those seem to have Tzigane. Is that so?
posted 12-12-2007 05:12 PM PT (US)

NeoVoyager Standard Userer	Alright, I pose you a question. In what 2006 score did we hear the opening of the 2nd movement of the Sibelius v.c.? Muahahaha! You should know this one, Marian.
posted 12-12-2007 05:21 PM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by franz_conrad: <BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:</font><HR size=1>Originally posted by Timmer: [b] I have two sets of Ravel's complete orchestral works, one by Charles Dutoit and another by Claudio Abaddo, both are excellent four CD sets that are resonably priced. Not one bad work in the whole lot <HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE> Neither of those seem to have Tzigane. Is that so?[/B] Because the original piece wasn't written for orchestra. Tzigane was written for violin accompanied by ( can't remember the name? ) a piano like instrument. And don't expect a Ravel does Stephane Grapelli sort of thing.....it's nothing of the sort. Tzigane was later addapted for violin and orchestra by ( no surprise here ) Ravel. Tzigane is lovely but pales compared to the magnificence heard on either CD I mentioned.
posted 12-12-2007 08:24 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	Thanks for the info, Tim. Much appreciated. Looks like two more boxsets will be coming this way either round Christmas, or early in the New Year!
posted 12-12-2007 08:27 PM PT (US)

Wedge Standard Userer	It's important that you find a good recordings of these works, for them to truly shine. To that end, this is a CD you should not be without: Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. This is my all-time favorite recording of Finlandia -- he just nails the tempos and overall interpretation -- and that goes ditto for Swan of Tuonela (my second-favorite Sibelius work) and the rest. (And the Grieg ain't half bad, either!) You may also want to track down a good recording of "Be Still My Soul", the hymn based on Finlandia. Many choirs have recorded it (in various languages, and set to various lyrics -- I just mention the most popular English version) but my favorite is the recording done by Libera on the album Free. For more Sibelius discussion, you may want to check out this thread at JWfan.
posted 12-13-2007 09:32 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by NeoVoyager: In what 2006 score did we hear the opening of the 2nd movement of the Sibelius v.c.? Muahahaha! You should know this one, Marian. I'm afraid I don't. What's worse, my CDR of the concerto is damaged, and I don't have an original copy yet, so I can't even listen right now.
posted 12-13-2007 04:09 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	Just to report back to everyone. I got the following three: - Wedge's recommendation - "Ormandy Conducts Sibelius & Grieg" - A recording of the Sibelius violin concerto by Kavakos that was recommended in the Jwfan.net thread. - Abbado's 'Complete Orchestral Works' album of Ravel music (3 Cds) It seemed a bit earlier to go out buying the Complete Sibelius symphonies without knowing more about his music. The Ravel is not that expensive or exhaustive, so it gives room to discover more, without being too overwhelming to start. Thanks for your recommendations, gentlemen! Merry Christmas to you all.
posted 12-13-2007 04:33 PM PT (US)

NeoVoyager Standard Userer	>>> I'm afraid I don't. What's worse, my CDR of the concerto... <<< Tsk tsk tsk! >>>... is damaged, and I don't have an original copy yet, so I can't even listen right now. <<< OK. The love theme from Newman's "The Good German" ('A Good Dose') basically is the opening of the second movement of the Sibelius violin concerto. I had a good chuckle when I first heard the score.
posted 12-13-2007 05:05 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	Is it this movement you're referring to? The woodwind figures at the start recall THE GOOD GERMAN, but I wouldn't say it was that similar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYR9ychIPJc&feature=related
posted 12-13-2007 05:20 PM PT (US)

NeoVoyager Standard Userer	Yes, that's it. Edit: My gosh, Ferras' vibrato is fast! (And that's not a compliment.) Far too fast for my liking. [Message edited by NeoVoyager on 12-13-2007]
posted 12-13-2007 06:57 PM PT (US)

Lou Goldberg Standard Userer	When it comes to Ravel, there are a number of works which are worth listening to. Introduction & Allegro for Harp, String Quartet, Clarinet, etc. is a bit sweet but I find it extremely beautiful. Ravel's String Quartet is wonderful. His two piano concertos should not be over looked. I second Daphnis & Chloe. I also like all those shorter pieces that people are hit or miss on like the Pavane for a Dead Princess. It's hard to go wrong with this guy, really. There's a shorter Sibelius symphony (5 or 7?) that really moves me. He's much heavier than Ravel is in general though.
posted 12-27-2007 12:40 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	I love the Sibelius violin concerto, both version. I don't easily fall hard for a classical work on a first listen, but I seem to have done so with this one.
posted 12-27-2007 10:43 PM PT (US)

NeoVoyager Standard Userer	Glad you enjoy it, Michael! I'd probably have to say that it is my favorite violin concerto... followed by Bruch's 1st and Prokofiev's 1st. -- Michael, who is eagerly anticipating the 26th, when I will travel about 200 miles to hear/see my former violin teacher perform Sibelius' violin concerto in the capital with the Helena Symphony.
posted 12-28-2007 08:16 AM PT (US)

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