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SIBELIUS: Kullervo, Op. 7 SIBELIUS: Kullervo, Op. 7 SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93 Kalevala is a collection of centuries-old traditions and legends that inspired a young Jean Sibelius to write his first major work, Kullervo. There are five movements reflecting various episodes in the young man Kullervo's life: his youth, his falling in love with a woman who turns out to be his sister (who then commits suicide), a battle scene and a final chorus telling of Kullervo's death. Although the premiere in in 1891 was successful, the composer wasn't satisfied with the score and only towards the end of his life did he resurrect a movement of it for a centenary celebration of the Kalevala in 1935. The next complete performance was in 1958, and Paavo Berglund made the first recording in 1970. Soloists are excellent on both of the recordings listed above, the male choruses equally fine. Although Telarc's issue is outstanding in every way and has been recorded with Telarc's usual sonic expertise, there is a more of a sense of commitment from conductor Rasilainen on cpo; his reading is more impassioned and extremely well recorded with a sense of concert hall atmosphere. I haven't heard the LSO Live recording with Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony; doubtless it has much to offer. It seems Kullervo's time has come. Melba's live recording of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10 is a commendable effort. The Australian Youth Orchestra gave its first concert in Sydney in 1957 and features the finest young Australian players; they give many concerts and tours. Alexander Anissimov has recorded symphonies of Glazunov and Rachmaninoff for Naxos as well as other Russian music. This Shostakovich recording was made during concerts May 11-12, 2005 in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. Producers were Maria Vandamme and Ian Perry, Location Sound Engineer was Tony David Gray,and the SACD mix was by Richard Girvan and Ian Perry. The performance is excellent by any standards, but cannot match other versions by Haitink, Karajan, Jansons and Kurt Sanderling. The only SACD competition is on Arts Music with Oleg Caetani and the Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra, which has superb sonics, but thin orchestral sound. The Melba issue is rather muddy in orchestral textures with blurred and boomy timpani, perhaps a problem with the venue. There's plenty of room on the disk for more music. R.E.B. (February 2007)
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