London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis - Elgar: Symphony No. 2 & Marches - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Alto returns Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra's critically acclaimed recordings of Jean Sibelius' Symphonies Nos 2 & 5 to international availability. Hailed as Gramophone Magazine and Classic FM discs of the month upon initial , Sir Colin Davis is a strong advocate for the music of Jean Sibelius. Davis was once quoted as saying, Inchconducting Sibelius is like looking at oneself in the mirror. I look in the mirror and see the pitilessness of life, yet I find the strength to go on. Sibelius was happy when he was in company, depressed when he was alone. I am the same'. Each of Sibelius's seven numbered symphonies possesses a quite different character, a fact that has led his followers to assert that he is the finest symphonist since Beethoven. These two renditions have been brought back to life in these newly remastered editions from Paul Arden-Taylor. InchDavis reminds us now just how great he is in Sibelius with a marvellous new recording of the Second... The strength of this performance, where a patient (and more involving) build-up leads to a shattering finale. Davis loves Sibelius, and the orchestra clearly love playing it for him. Listening to a Sibelius performance of this calibre, there's no other composer one would rather hear.Inch -Gramophone, Album of the Month (Symphony No. 2) Album of the Month, Classic FM (Symphony No. 5) Album Tracks 1. Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43 I. Allegretto 2. Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43 II. Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato 3. Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43 III. Vivacissimo 4. Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43 IV. Allegro Moderato 5. Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82 (1919 Version) I. Tempo Molto Moderato 6. Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82 (1919 Version) II. Andante Mosso 7. Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82 (1919 Version) III. Allegro Molto

Regarding this performance of the 7th Symphony, The Sunday Times remarked; InchThis beautiful performance deserves to win many new friends for Dvorak's most Brahmsian symphony. Davis's love of this music shines out of every bar culminating in a towering account of the finale, which unlike many, here emerges as a fully satisfying conclusionInch With reference to the 8th symphony, BBC Music Magazine applauded this performance; InchMore successfully than any other recording, Davis captures the slow movement's elusive heart of darkness.Inch BBC Radio 3 1st Choice Recording. Album Tracks 1. Dvorak Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70 I Allegro Maestoso 2. II Poco Adagio 3. III Scherzo Vivace 4. IV Finale Allegro 5. Symphony No. 8 in G, Op. 88 I Allegro Con Brio 6. II Adagio 7. III Allegretto Grazioso - Molto Vivace 8. IV Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Album Tracks 1. Largo - Allegro Moderato 2. Allegro Molto 3. Adagio 4. Allegro Vivace