Sibelius’s First Symphony was one of the first classical records I bought, some 30 years ago (a recording by Alexander Gibson and the SNO with a sheet of ice on the sleeve. I listened to it on Sunday evenings (before “That’s Life”, if memory serves). It was later overtaken in my affections by other Sibelius symphonies (especially Nos 2 and 5) but listening to this again I realise what a fine work it is, or most of it.
When I first listened to this, I couldn’t really understand the comparisons with Tchaikovsky and Borodin. I do now, but this still couldn’t be anyone but Sibelius. Back then I also made comparisons with Dvorak (the New World symphony was another early acquisition) which I thought must be an ignorant beginner’s error, but I don’t think I was totally wrong.
The first movement is especially good. This recording (Ashkenazy with the Philharmonia) is more fiery than I remember the Gibson. What brass! Sibelius was capable of more scrunchy dissonanances than his reputation suggests. I am still undecided about the second movement. I suspect that some Sibelius slow movements are just there to provide a tender interlude in between the real business. That is how this movement starts out, but it morphs into something more serious. The scherzo is really good. Little bits of the trio remind me of Bruckner: surely that can’t be right? But I had forgotten what a clunking disappointment the last movement was.
Anyway, we’re off to France for a couple of weeks, so the Walkpersons and TL2 will get a rest.
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