Product Review

Sometimes known as the Four Legends, these are Sibelius's earliest tone poems. Although very popular during the composer's lifetime, he eventually discouraged performances of two: Lemminkainen and Maidens of Saari and Lemminkainen in Tuonela. This was a real pity, for they contain some fantastic music, and all four make a perfectly natural and listenable cycle. Tapiola, on the other hand, was Sibelius's very last tone poem. A haunting study of Finland's northern forests, it features one of music's most terrifying storms. Leif Segerstam really pegs the storm, and just about everything else, in this superbly played and recorded collection. Very enjoyable. --David Hurwitz