Album

Is this coupling of Sibelius' Violin Concerto and Second Symphony really "The Absolute Sibelius?" Absolutely.

The Violin Concerto is absolutely the Finnish composer's most popular work after Finlandia and the Second Symphony his most popular work after the Violin Concerto. Whether or not they are his best composed works—the later symphonies and tone poems may take that honor—the concerto is wildly passionate and extravagantly virtuosic and the symphony unrelentingly resolute and unendingly heroic. If these were the only works of the composer's in existence, Sibelius would absolutely have to be counted among the best fin de siècle composers.

There have been many great recorded performances of both works, but this 1996 recording of the concerto and 2002 recording of the symphony are among the very best at the turn of the millennium. Pekka Kuusisto's concerto is almost unbearably ardent and Leif Segerstam and the Helsinki Philharmonic's symphony nearly overwhelmingly valiant. At least while they are playing, it absolutely ranks among the greatest performances of all time. There have likewise been many superb recordings of both works, but with their combination of vivid clarity and palpable immediacy, these Ondine digital recordings are among the best ever made.

© Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

CD 1
Gregorian Chant Composer In paradisum, antiphon Work Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz Vocal Ensemble
1	In paradisum, antiphon	4:28			$0.99
Gregorian Chant Composer Subvenite, responsory in mode 4 Work Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz Vocal Ensemble
2	Subvenite, responsory in mode 4	2:28			$0.99
Gregorian Chant Composer Libera me, Domine, de Morte Eterna, responsory Work Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz Vocal Ensemble
3	Libera me, Domine, de Morte Eterna, responsory	4:26			$0.99
Recorded Sound Composer Church Bells Work None Available
4	Church Bells	1:36			$0.49
Gregorian Chant Composer Missa pro defunctis Work 15:36 Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz Vocal Ensemble
5	Introitus 'Requiem aeternam'	2:00			$0.99
6	Kyrie eleison	1:38			$0.49
7	Graduale 'Requiem aeternam'	2:40			$0.99
8	Tactus 'Absolve'	2:10			$0.99
9	Offertorium 'Domine Jesu Christe'	3:40			$0.99
10	Sanctus	0:46			$0.49
11	Acclamato post elevationem 'Pie Jesu Domine'	0:50			$0.49
12	Agnus Dei	0:44			$0.49
13	Communio 'Lux aeterna'	1:08			$0.49
Gregorian Chant Composer Complines Work 17:13 Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz Vocal Ensemble
14	Deus in adiutorium	0:49			$0.49
15	Hymn 'Te lucis ante terminum'	1:24			$0.49
16	Psalm 4	2:33			$0.99
17	Psalm 90 (91)	3:46			$0.99
18	Psalm 133	1:12			$0.49
19	Lectio brevis	0:27			$0.49
20	Responsorium breve	0:40			$0.49
21	Canticum Simeonis 'Nunc dimittis'	2:17			$0.99
22	Kyrie eleison	0:12			$0.49
23	Oratio conclusiva	0:47			$0.49
24	Salve Regina	2:47			$0.99
25	Benedictio	0:19			$0.49
Recorded Sound Composer Church Bells Work None Available
26	Stift Heiligenkreuz Bells	1:00			$0.49
Gregorian Chant Composer Veni creator spiritus Work Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz Vocal Ensemble
27	Veni creator spiritus	2:32			$0.99
Gregorian Chant Composer Spiritus domini, introit in mode 3 Work Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz Vocal Ensemble
28	Spiritus domini, introit in mode 3	2:38			$0.99
Gregorian Chant Composer Factus est repente, comminio Work Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz Vocal Ensemble
29	Factus est repente, comminio	1:17			$0.49