Sibelius: Symphonies Nos 3 & 7

'Anyone lucky enough to have been at these magnificent Barbican concerts last autumn will know that Davis is enjoying a remarkable Indian summer with the LSO; those who weren't can discover from this magnificent recording.'
The Observer (UK), 7 March 2004

'exhilarating … Davis cogently builds the great work to its inevitable climax in a performance that is as impressive in the tempestuous brass passages as in the airy lightness of the woodwind and strings in the scherzo.'
Sunday Telegraph (UK), 7 March 2004

'It is hard to imagine these works in more idiomatic performances … Davis remains one of the world's leading international Sibelians, and his love for this music emerges from every bar of his pristine, expansive yet momentous account … this new version is still more intense, yearning, mysterious … this disc deserves to fly out of the shops.'
Sunday Times (UK) 14 March 2004

'the orchestra wallows in the music's concentrated magnificence, creating gripping tensions and glorious releases that will leave few listeners untouched.'
Evening Standard (UK), 4 March 2004

'an absolutely masterful characterization of music that in most other performances puzzles as often as it enchants … this release will be tough to beat'
Artistic Quality 9,
Sound Quality 9
ClassicsToday.com February 2004

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.

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