Country : Canada (Quebec) / Finland Label : ATMA Classique Genres and styles : classique / post-romantique / Romantic Year : 2023

Yannick Nézet-Séguin / Orchestre métropolitain – Sibelius : Symphonies nos 3 et 4

· by Frédéric Cardin

There is a rumour that Jean Sibelius’ third symphony is the least interesting of the seven he wrote. Pffff. Nonsense slander. For my part, it is one of my favourites. I find it utterly delightful, even if it is less resplendent than the previous one, and less profound than the next. It is made up of melodies that linger in the memory and benefits from a sober but fleshed-out orchestration. One is charmed by the touching melody of its Andantino con moto, quasi allegretto (2nd mvt), a phrase that will stay with you for a long time, like a soothing melancholic echo, a kind of Nordic saudade. Fans of Howard Shore’s music for The Lord of the Rings will be delighted by the last two minutes of the first movement, and the lively pastorality of the final Moderato adequately recapitulates the basic material of the whole and illuminates it with a particularly satisfying playfulness. Yannick is a thoughtful chiseller and effectively brings out the work’s play of light and shade. This recording was already available in digital form only, and has been since autumn 2021. The novelty lies rather in the Fourth Symphony, which is a different matter altogether. Its scattered lines seem to be constantly in need of a thematic grip and its harmonic greyness makes it generally disquieting and mysterious, except for certain passages where the light dares to pierce the misty veil (as in the 2nd movement, which is more fertile in this respect). Yet this is an absolute masterpiece. Certainly one of the most daring symphonies of its time, created two years before Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. Here again, Yannick is in his element, with the emphasis on the clarity of the lines, but also the individual expressiveness of the numerous solo passages. His chamber vision is fortunately supported by a sustained attention to the sonic breadth of his musicians. The powerful Tempo largo (3rd movement), with its solemnly funereal character, is particularly successful. Thus, no dryness, as we have sometimes heard for this music, which is certainly complex and learned, but not devoid of emotions and aesthetic impulses. This is a very fine release, and another milestone in the complete Sibelius oeuvre led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin with his Montreal musicians.

Released on 3 March 2023 on all platforms

Latest 360 Content

Semaine du Neuf | The Power of the Organ and the Wind

Semaine du Neuf | The Power of the Organ and the Wind

Semaine du Neuf | Sturm und Klang

Semaine du Neuf | Sturm und Klang

Semaine du Neuf | Collectif9 : musical hero for everyone

Semaine du Neuf | Collectif9 : musical hero for everyone

Semaine du Neuf | Afghanistan, looking back at us

Semaine du Neuf | Afghanistan, looking back at us

Turtle Skull – Heavy as Hell

Turtle Skull – Heavy as Hell

Bob Em – Johnie Worker

Bob Em – Johnie Worker

Semaine du Neuf | There Is No Music Without the Wind. L’être contre le vent by Matthias Krüger

Semaine du Neuf | There Is No Music Without the Wind. L’être contre le vent by Matthias Krüger

Lemon Lemon – Hammock

Lemon Lemon – Hammock

Ooberfuse – “Hard Times ft Snoop Dogg”

Ooberfuse – “Hard Times ft Snoop Dogg”

Semaine du Neuf: Architek Percussion au service de 2 architectures

Semaine du Neuf: Architek Percussion au service de 2 architectures

Deena Abdelwahed’s Swana electro: syncretism, commitment, a new standard

Deena Abdelwahed’s Swana electro: syncretism, commitment, a new standard

Disaster Pony

Disaster Pony

The Cool Trad of Nicolas Boulerice and Frédéric Samson

The Cool Trad of Nicolas Boulerice and Frédéric Samson

Semaine du Neuf | VIVIERMIX // QUASAR + NEM + FIOLÛTRÖNIQ

Semaine du Neuf | VIVIERMIX // QUASAR + NEM + FIOLÛTRÖNIQ

Jeremy Leon – Affinity

Jeremy Leon – Affinity

Florie Valiquette / Ensemble Il Caravaggio / Chœur de l’Opéra Royal / Camille Delaforge, dir. – Mademoiselle Duval : Les Génies

Florie Valiquette / Ensemble Il Caravaggio / Chœur de l’Opéra Royal / Camille Delaforge, dir. – Mademoiselle Duval : Les Génies

Reinoud van Mechelen / a nocte temporis / Choeur de Chambre de Namur – Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre : Céphale et Procris

Reinoud van Mechelen / a nocte temporis / Choeur de Chambre de Namur – Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre : Céphale et Procris

Semaine du Neuf | Lascaux + Mad Max

Semaine du Neuf | Lascaux + Mad Max

Semaine du Neuf | Psychedelic Afghanistan by Sam Shalabi and Shaista Latif

Semaine du Neuf | Psychedelic Afghanistan by Sam Shalabi and Shaista Latif

Semaine du Neuf | Sixtrum: the magic of… aquatic percussion!

Semaine du Neuf | Sixtrum: the magic of… aquatic percussion!

Semaine du Neuf | Ice, Creation, and Immersion

Semaine du Neuf | Ice, Creation, and Immersion

Tristan Murail – Le partage des eaux / Terre d’ombre

Tristan Murail – Le partage des eaux / Terre d’ombre

Subscribe to our newsletter