Description
FHR Remasters
Early stereo recordings • 6
Released on CD and all digital platforms: 26 April 2024
Not available in USA/Canada (we ship worldwide)
Jean SIBELIUS (1865–1957)
1. Finlandia, Op. 26
Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino / Vittorio Gui
(rec. 9–10 October 1953)
2. Finlandia – Hymn (version for male choir) (sung in Finnish)
Helsinki University Chorus / Martti Turunen
(rec. 20 November 1953)
3. Six Part Songs, Op. 18: No. 6. Sydameini laulu (‘Song of my Heart’) (sung in Finnish)
Helsinki University Chorus / Martti Turunen
(rec. 20 November 1953)
4. Tulen synty (‘The Origin of Fire’), Op. 32 (sung in Finnish)
Sulo Saarits baritone
Helsinki University Chorus / Martti Turunen
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra / Thor Johnson
(rec. 21 November 1953)
5. Pohjola’s Daughter, Op. 49
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra • Thor Johnson
(rec. 20 November 1953)
6. Valse triste, Op. 44, No. 1
Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino / Vittorio Gui
(rec. 9–10 October 1953)
7–11. String Quartet in D minor, Op. 56 ‘Voces intimae’
Pascal Quartet
Jacques Dumont violin I
Maurice Crut violin II
Léon Pascal viola
Robert Salles cello
(recording date unknown but before July 1957)
12. Finlandia, Op. 26
Philharmonia Orchestra / George Weldon
(rec. 12 March 1956)
All first recordings in stereo apart from track 12
Track 4 is the world première recording
24bit, 96kHz high resolution transfers, editing and remastering by Paul Baily
℗ 1954, 1957, 1958 and 2024 © 2024
Source materials:
Track 1: Livingston Audiosphere 7½ ips binaural tape BN 701
Tracks 2–5: A-V Tape Libraries, Inc. 7½ ips binaural tape AV-1508B
Track 6: Livingston Audiosphere 7½ ips binaural tape BN 703
Tracks 7–11: Concert Hall Society 7½ ips stereophonic tape HX – 59
Track 12: EMI Columbia 7½ ips stereosonic tape BTC 505
Press Quotes
‘Surprises and little-known Sibelian nuggets…. If you have collected this far in the series you won’t want to stop. Curios and surprises, such as in this volume, are constant features.’ (MusicWeb International)
‘This fascinating (and generous, eighty-three minute) release restores some interesting material from the first dawn of stereo… FHR85 will be thought ‘outstanding’ by Sibelians, and also those who like to delve into recorded history.’ (OUTSTANDING, Colin’s Column)