Grieg: Peer Gynt, Holberg Suites / Sibelius: Finlandia ...

Peer Gynt is most beautifully done. At times you might think the wind could have been a shade more distant, particularly in the 'By the seashore' movement but there's no want of atmosphere here – quite the contrary! Not to put too fine a point on it, this is a marvellous recording. In the Holberg Suite, the sound has marvellous clarity and definition as well as exemplary range. For some tastes it may be a little too sophisticated but one's admiration for it remains undimmed. The playing throughout is beautifully cultured and there's wonderful lightness and delicacy. The present issue is Karajan's third account of 'The Swan of Tuonela' and it's regrettable that he never committed to disc the four Legends in their entirety. It's as powerful and atmospheric an account as ever recorded, and the remaining two pieces, 'Valse triste' and Finlandia, reinforce the feeling that this partnership has never been equalled. The stirring account of Finlandia is incredibly wide-ranging – the orchestral playing is really in a class of its own.