Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 5, 6 & 7 in Bloomington, MN

This is the last of a cycle of three albums devoted to the symphonies of
Jean Sibelius
by the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
and conductor
Owain Arwel Hughes
, an octogenarian when this album was released in 2022. In a way, his readings hark back to mid-century British
Sibelius
, before star conductors got hold of the music. Those wanting a stirring, rise-to-one's-feet finale for the
Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82
, should look elsewhere;
Hughes
' readings are, in the main, delicate. In the sprite-like
Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104
, he is exceptionally graceful and seems to have a real affinity for the work. In that work, where
succeeded in transferring the charmed atmosphere of his theater music to a large symphonic form,
' performance is worth the price of admission on its own. He and the
Philharmonic
achieve clarity in the
Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 105
, as well, but listeners may differ as to whether the performance has the guts and the momentum to carry one through the complex, single-movement structure. At any rate,
' performances are in no way derivative of anybody else's, and
lovers will welcome these beautifully executed recordings. ~ James Manheim