MusicWeb International‘s Ralph Moore has a newly published review for the Musical Concepts label release of the Complete Jean Sibelius Symphonies from Maurice Abravanel and the Utah Symphony!
“Still available on the Musical Concepts label, this super-bargain set remastered in excellent analogue sound offers all seven of Sibelius symphonies on three CDs such that you don’t have to change CD mid-symphony. … Rob Barnett favourably reviewed this on MWI in its original Vanguard Records release back in the year 2000 and although he expressed reservations about the Seventh, in general, I think it has worn very well. … There is a purity and clarity about the opening to the Sixth here which augurs well for the whole performance and so it proves. Abravanel allows much of the instrumental detail to emerge and there is something of Karajan’s intensity in his approach but this is a still a light, tripping account, sparkling with Nordic light. … an absolute top recommendation…and attractive introduction to Sibelius’ symphonic world”
Ralph Moore, MusicWeb International