Proving that great performances can come from anywhere, this 2009 release of Sibelius' Third and Sixth symphonies coupled with Stravinsky's Violin Concerto, by conductor and violinist Thomas Zehetmair and the Northern Sinfonia, contains performances as fine as the finest ever recorded. This is particularly surprising since an earlier release of Brahms' Violin Concerto coupled with the original version of Schumann's Fourth Symphony featuring the same conductor and chamber orchestra was such a disappointment. But the flaws ...
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Proving that great performances can come from anywhere, this 2009 release of Sibelius' Third and Sixth symphonies coupled with Stravinsky's Violin Concerto, by conductor and violinist Thomas Zehetmair and the Northern Sinfonia, contains performances as fine as the finest ever recorded. This is particularly surprising since an earlier release of Brahms' Violin Concerto coupled with the original version of Schumann's Fourth Symphony featuring the same conductor and chamber orchestra was such a disappointment. But the flaws that plagued those performances, a scrawny tone and a scrappy ensemble chief among them, are nowhere in evidence on this disc. Indeed, the Northern Sinfonia's playing here rivals the best of similarly sized bands, with a cogency that none can surpass. Under Zehetmair's inspired leadership, they turn in a Sibelius Third that is strong toned and big muscled, but also lean, hard, tight, and driven, with a beautifully mysterious central Andantino and a wonderfully energetic closing...
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