Symphonies Nos 3 & 7

"Davis's third Sibelius symphony cycle launches with a pairing to relish"
(Gramophone Editor's Choice June 2004)

"What more is there to say about the LSO/Davis partnership? An orchestra on superb form, with some magnificent soloists as well as a corporate sonority of awesome weight and concentration combined with a conductor who, like a fine wine, is getting better and better with age. This is the start of Davis's third Sibelius cycle and, on this evidence, could well be his finest. Get in at the start: and it won't break the bank."
(Gramophone)

Recorded live at the Barbican Centre on 24 & 25 September 2003 (No 7) and 1 & 2 October 2003 (No 3)

Sir Colin Davis has a special affinity with a select group of composers, whose music he has frequently returned to throughout his career, each time revealing some new insight and deeper passion within the music.

His Berlioz series on LSO Live entranced listeners around the world with the combination of his love for the music and the spontaneity of live performance. Now Sir Colin's first Sibelius recordings for the label are set to achieve the same.

In his third symphony Sibelius began to establish his own unique musical voice whilst capturing the essence of his beloved Finland. His seventh symphony was the culmination of his creative life, a single span of music rich in colour, texture and light and a landmark in 20th-century music.

'... a magisterial interpretation. The orchestra knows exactly what Sir Colin wants and delivers it in full measure.'
Sunday Telegraph (UK), 5 October 2003

'This was vintage LSO Sibelius, revealing the great reverberant soul of the man: cellos indulged by Davis's baton; long, long paragraphs of warm string breath; harmonies you could feel resonating in the core of your being. The energy with which it surged towards its destination left the audience momentarily stunned, before their own crescendo of applause.'
The Times (UK), 26 September 2003

'Sir Colin Davis has long had a reputation as one of the greatest Sibelius interpreters of our time - and if you wanted proof, it could be found in this concert. The work has rarely sounded so logical or satisfying.'
The Guardian (UK), 27 September 2003

'Davis soared … The emotional ebb and flow was magnificently controlled.'
Daily Telegraph (UK), 27 September 2003