Sibelius: Finlandia, En Saga, Tapiola, The Swan of Tuonela & Karelia Suite

One of the key recordings of Herbert von Karajan, with the Berliner Philharmoniker at their peak, and a milestone of Jean Sibelius’ discography. It includes early tone poems (notably the famous Swan of Tuonela in which Gerhard Stempnik’s cor anglais solos are breathtakingly beautiful) and the late Tapiola, a Karajan’s personal favourite. Upon its release, this album won a Diapason d’or and was described by Gramophone as “extraordinarily vivid and realistic”.