Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Dresdner Philharmonie, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Berliner Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra. - Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 7 and Tone Poem "Tapiola" (Tower Records Exclusive) - Import 2 SACD Hybrid

Credits:

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Dresdner Philharmonie, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Berliner Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra.

Description:

The finest Sibelius recordings known to man, Galagly's four works for ETERNA are now available on SACD in a 2-CD set! A masterful performance with fluid sound! The world's first SACD release! Mastered only in the analog domain and directly converted to DSD! The 23rd SACD hybridization of the latest reissue project of the original ETERNA analog tapes in Japan, three Sibelius albums by Galagly recorded between 1964 and 1968 on the ETERNA label have been collected into a 2-CD set. Carl von Galagly (1900.12.28-1984.10.4) was originally a Hungarian violinist who joined the Berlin Philharmonic in 1917 during the Nikisch era, and in 1923 he was transferred to the Göteborg Symphony Orchestra as a conductor and later to Clemens Krauss. He also studied conducting under Clemens Krauss. Then came World War II, and in 1940 he succeeded Fritz Busch as conductor of the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, where he had been assistant conductor since 1930 (later appointed principal conductor). Although one might think that Galagly, who was active mainly in Scandinavia, had little contact with ETERNA, he was a frequent guest with the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra and was well received, which is why these recordings were made. In addition to Sibelius, ETERNA also recorded Kodaly's Hari Janos Suite and Shustakovich with the Dresden Philharmonic, as well as Johann Strauss' works with the SKD.These recordings, especially of Sibelius No. 2, were recognized in Japan as masterpieces by those in the know. Galagly's performance of Sibelius here is a very Scandinavian tone and authentic, unlike the clear and bright performances in the West (except in the UK) or the extremely dark and rigorous performances in the former Soviet Union and former East Germany. Sibelius was gaining recognition in the U.K. outside of Scandinavia from early on, and many great performances were being produced, but Galagly's mastery of bringing out the Scandinavian sound despite the use of a German orchestra is fresh and surprising even nowadays. Especially, the performances of No. 4 with Koegel and No. 6 with Berglund (reissued in 2022 as 0302753BC by this project), recorded in 1966, are so opposite that it is hard to believe that they are with the same orchestra. As you know, ETERNA subsequently made a single recording of the Sibelius symphonies with Sanderling in the analog era, and the complete collection was completed in 1977 (reissued in 2021 on 0302066BC). The performance by Gallagli is remarkable, especially in No. 1, with its spirit and precision, in No. 2 with the Gewandhaus Orchestra, with its cohesiveness and exuberance as a symphony, and in No. 7 and Tapiola, with its wonderful structure, etc. Although the three orchestras are different, each orchestra makes the most of its special characteristics. I hope that the high sound quality of this disc will enhance the reputation of this recording.It will join the ranks of important Sibelius recordings. (1/2)