Sir Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra - Jean Sibelius Symphonies Nos 5 & 6 (2010) [SACD]

English conductors have loved the music of Sibelius with a true & undying love. From Beecham & Barbirolli straight through to Davis & Rattle, English conductors have always championed the terse but tremendous Finn’s music. With these recordings of Symphonies #5 & #6, Davis has now recorded each work 3 times: 1st with the Boston Symphony in the ’70s, then with the London Symphony Orchestra in the ’90s, & now with the LSO again early in the 21st century. Both his earlier recordings were among the best ever made by an English conductor with a slight edge going to the later LSO recordings because of their sense of awe & inevitability.
This recording is not in the same league as either of the earlier recordings. Part of the reason is that Davis’ tempos are too little too forceful in the outer movements, a bit too flaccid in the central movements, & not quite as cogent from start to finish. Part of the reason is that the LSO’s playing is a little too scrappy in the accelerando in the 5th’s opening movement, a bit too sloppy in the 6th’s closing movement, & not quite as radiant from beginning to end. Part of the reason is that the LSO’s thin but dim recording is nowhere near as lucid & evocative as the Philips’ stereo recordings & nowhere near as clear & deep as the BMG digital recording. If you already have both Davis’ earlier recordings, plus the recordings by Beecham & Barbirolli, plus a half-dozen recordings by assorted Finnish conductors reaching back to the ’30s, by all means try the latest Davis.