Sibelius: Symphony No. 2

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The Second is Sibelius's most popular symphony, thanks to its surging melodies and glowing orchestration, and also because it calls for the absolute, standard Romantic orchestra with no "extras," making it economical to perform. But it's by no means easy. The finale, in particular, often seems to come around one time too many when the conductor fails to keep the music moving smartly along. John Barbirolli made a specialty of this symphony, and clearly he solved all of its interpretive problems. He just plays the music as excitingly as possible, all the way through, and the result blazes forth from your speakers like a comet flashing across the night sky. --David Hurwitz