The Snowshoed Sibelius

[AnotherSpin]

Thanks for this. And in particular thanks for mentioning Munch in 7 - your comment prompted me to listen to his extraordinary, passionate performance. Impossible to listen to anything after it, it's such a powerful experience.

This live recording is also included in this set and is available on Qobuz.

[vandermolen]

Ask her if she'll marry you. You'll be amused by the reply.

Just tried it but I never got more that 2/3 right so she rejected my proposal 
Good fun though - thanks.

[Mandryka]

This live recording is also included in this set and is available on Qobuz.

That's the one I listened to, it looks like there are others on youtube. It really did have a big impact on me last night - I guess I was in the right frame of mind!

[AnotherSpin]

That's the one I listened to, it looks like there are others on youtube. It really did have a big impact on me last night - I guess I was in the right frame of mind!

I see two recordings by Munch with the Boston Symphony on YouTube: one from July 30, 1965 (Tanglewood) and the other from March 18, 1966 (Symphony Hall, Boston). The first one resonated with me more, though the second is also excellent. I fully agree that Munch's interpretations of the 7th are extraordinary.

I'm curious—what exactly did you listen to afterward for comparison that made you conclude it's "impossible to listen to anything else after it"? If it's Karajan, then I understand what you mean

[André]

Well, I listened to another Sib7 after Munch. It was Szell with the Cleveland orchestra. Objectively it was fine, but it sounded tight and skimpy after Munch's.

[AnotherSpin]

After two versions by Munch, I listened to Karajan, three versions by Berglund, and Vänskä with the Lahti Symphony. Karajan was very disappointing—completely off the mark—but the Finns were excellent. The last one I heard was Berglund's third version last night before bed, and it felt magical after a long and eventful day. I'll keep exploring other versions.