Sibelius loves featuring the cold, lonely tones of the winds against the massed restless strings and barking brass---it certainly is a 'northern' sound--you'd never mistake for the south. Unique sound.
Sir Colin Davis was a really loved conductor in England and around the world. Great performer of Finish great composer and patriot Jean Sibelius. An absolutely deserved ovation Sir Colin.
I constantly return to this video and play it again and again. So beautifully played with such intensity and emotion and under the direction of Maestro Davis, a master conductor and loving humanitarian.
This is absolutely wonderful. Completely different interpretation than I'm used to, and I like it. These players are playing with such passion and depth that's needed for a piece like this. Sibelius didn't write this symphony on a whim; there's a deep meaning behind it, particularly in this last movement.
This FINALE, the best in the classic music, let you on the Sky and make you see God, almost for a while. The timpans is your heart beating so emotioned.
first and foremost, the violinist at 5:28 is really cute the tympani player at the end of the movement has so much energy -- wow! simply stunning -- especially the roll from 4:18 to the end.
that yell at the end. oh my god. i played the overture to the barber of seville with my highschool orchestra, there is no better feeling than the end of a piece, after all this effort and all this energy, work and all that emotion you communicate. just to hear that yell from the crowd like i did after the barber, best feeling on the planet hands down. thank you so much for uploading this, absolutely love this piece
Despite the fact that this is a youth orchestra, the performance is truly first class. SomE may be misled by the name "youth orchestra", I have lots of colleagues/friends played with famous youth orchestras in the grad school or even beyond. Therefore some of them were at the peak of their training and that's why the performance is so moving and incredible. The passion they show in their performance, is RARE in the professional orchestras, let's face it. Loved the performance! Congratulations!
I loved the orchestra! I think Sibelius is the only composer who makes me cry, cry for joy merged with a bit of sadness. After watching and listening to those beautiful melodies and then seeing the reaction after the end I started crying. Because we had him in Finland ! He could have been born in Sweden. Would he have the same effect on me then? Would he have been able to compose in the same way?
Stravinsky, probably not, Brahms and Mahler have written songs, some certainly are moving, but I'd probably not cry listening to their symphonies. But I have not heard all Mahler's symphonies. Of course I just cry occasionally listening to Sibelius, because missing home. And it only means a few tears, I don't sob :) But I remember crying when listening to "The Saga", though I was not in a foreign country, I was only 15 or something. Do you cry listening to music?
Yes, sometimes my eyes well up or I feel sentimental. I first heard Sibelius when I was in high school and I liked it (the Second and Third Symphonies).I feel some energy with him but have never felt tearing...but then again, I am not Finnish of Scandinavian. To be frank, as an adult, his music appears to be a bit campy. Also was listening to Stravinsky as a high school student and have re-discovered it and really like it. Truthfully, Brahms brings tears to my eyes, he strikes a chord.
An incredible performance by incredibly talented young musicians! Love the "mellow fellow cello players" starting at 3:12 followed by the stalwart & swarthy dudes bowing their testosterone-filled hearts out in the string bass section!
Standard works like Sibelius 2 can become somewhat stale when performed by professional orchestras. It takes a "Jugendorchester" - an orchestra of young people - who have not yet become jaded by repetition, to breathe new life into the composition. This is a beautiful example of that phenomenon.
just for everybody who don't knows: this orchestra is better than nearly the most professional orchestras in the World..accept that, they are on one step with the european youth orchestra, the world youth orchestra, the simon bolivar youth orchestra and the most professional orchestras in the world, in my opinion are the berlinphil, NYSO, london symphony orchestra.. better..- technically. but this orchestra is much more awesome to watch, cause ther is so much joy in the playing of young people..
@flipflops373 Sibelius described the composition process thus: "it was as if the Almighty had cast the pieces of a jigsaw on the ground for me to put them together". I have lived in Finland and his works speak so eloquently.
Wow, there are 12 double bass players. Most unusual. Typically, there are 8. It must have something to do with the size of Royal Albert Hall, a venue which can hold up to 5,200 people. I wonder if the Philharmonia or London Symphony Orchestras play with that many bassists when they play there?
@mdenero I have just told someone what this does to me... It has always done it since i was 13 (I'm 64) when I first heard only a part of it! I heard it on BBC Radio's Desert island Discs. I will have to stop here..wiping my eyes.
Do you heare in this music a motive of renovation, revilal, regeneration? For me it's a place of a life power, energy, renaisance. From minor to major. From precipice to stares. From a hell to hope.
I would add: Mahler 3rd symphony, finale Prokofiev: Final chorus from "Alexander Nevsky" Schoenberg: Finale from "Gurrelieder" Beethoven: Final movement - 9th symphony Shostakovich: Final movements from 5th and 7th symphonies.
for me the best perfomance would be the one I have recorded live with the Sao Paulo State Symphony, conductor: Frank Shipway, saw that live, almost had a heart attack!!!!
They are too young to have become jaded by repetition, and so you get a performance of great freshness and dedication. It is obvious from their body language and expression. An orchestra of mature players never looks like this.
The issue is you’re judging with your eyes instead of ears. If you actually listened, you would hear there is none of the nuance or attention to detail you would expect from a mature orchestra, it’s all just loud and brash
I've always felt there were parts of this movement that sound cinematic. For another example of a Sibelius composition that would be well-suited for film (perhaps as a background to opening credits), give a listen to Spring Song (Vårsång)--last time I looked, there were two versions of it on UA-cam. With all the excellent theatrical music Sibelius composed, it's a shame he never wrote anything for cinema.
He must have believed in God when he was writing the fifth symphony and felt "God is opening his doors for a moment, and his orchestra is playing the fifth symphony"
Es interesante como Sibelius combina el "obstinato" de una melodia con la aparicion de otras melodias y se van superponiendo y contrapunteando ,sin que ninguna de ellas ceda terrreno...para ir juntas construyendo este final en que todas se amalgaman.
Sir Colin Davis with the correct speed,as Sibelius himself wanted it.18 seconds faster than Bernstein if only the sound engineer put a more directional mike for the drums and tympanis.A difficult piece to conduct indeed.
@codypalooza How amazing - I thought exactly the same as you whilst listening to this! Tiroler has given a spot on list , but also try Walton sym 1 1st movement, Mahler 1, Bruckner 8, Bruckner 7 1st mvt, of course Beethoven 5&9, Tchaikovsky 4, Rachmaninov 1. And if you are feeling strong, Brahms 4 - the whole final movement builds like Sibelius 2, but it builds down, not up - beware, it can seriously damage your health!
And don't forget "Danse generale" from Dahpnis and Cloë by Ravel (watch?v=yWW7x0ZvswA) and "Lauriers" from "Cyprès et Lauriers" by Saint-Saëns (watch?v=GTqdwd0QaNg - this is a horrible performance though)
Too fast in my opinion. Bernstein with the Vienna philharmonic takes it just right. Personally, it takes away from the emotion and glory in the finale but music is always open to interpretation I suppose. Nonetheless an amazing performance.
Sibelius loves featuring the cold, lonely tones of the winds against the massed restless strings and barking brass---it certainly is a 'northern' sound--you'd never mistake for the south. Unique sound.
"every symphony must involve the world" said Gustav mahler to the young sibelius. and there it is.
Sir Colin Davis was a really loved conductor in England and around the world. Great performer of Finish great composer and patriot Jean Sibelius. An absolutely deserved ovation Sir Colin.
That was quite literally the finest performance of the 2nd Symphony. They deserved that monumental ovation.
Wonderful Sympfony
I constantly return to this video and play it again and again. So beautifully played with such intensity and emotion and under the direction of Maestro Davis, a master conductor and loving humanitarian.
Wow! Near the end Sir Colin tells the orchestra to pull out all the stops. Then you can read his lips saying "Wonderful". Understatement!
Fabulous orchestra - wonderful musicians - legendary conductor Sir Colin. This is a performance to die for!
This is absolutely wonderful. Completely different interpretation than I'm used to, and I like it. These players are playing with such passion and depth that's needed for a piece like this. Sibelius didn't write this symphony on a whim; there's a deep meaning behind it, particularly in this last movement.
Double Basses and Timpanist sweating blood! Truly amazing interpretation!!!
This FINALE, the best in the classic music, let you on the Sky and make you see God, almost for a while. The timpans is your heart beating so emotioned.
Wonderful to see the emotional involvement of the players and their physical movement. Beautifully played also.
first and foremost, the violinist at 5:28 is really cute
the tympani player at the end of the movement has so much energy -- wow! simply stunning -- especially the roll from 4:18 to the end.
that yell at the end. oh my god. i played the overture to the barber of seville with my highschool orchestra, there is no better feeling than the end of a piece, after all this effort and all this energy, work and all that emotion you communicate. just to hear that yell from the crowd like i did after the barber, best feeling on the planet hands down.
thank you so much for uploading this, absolutely love this piece
Despite the fact that this is a youth orchestra, the performance is truly first class. SomE may be misled by the name "youth orchestra", I have lots of colleagues/friends played with famous youth orchestras in the grad school or even beyond. Therefore some of them were at the peak of their training and that's why the performance is so moving and incredible. The passion they show in their performance, is RARE in the professional orchestras, let's face it. Loved the performance! Congratulations!
an amazing performance. breathtaking.
I loved the orchestra! I think Sibelius is the only composer who makes me cry, cry for joy merged with a bit of sadness. After watching and listening to those beautiful melodies and then seeing the reaction after the end I started crying. Because we had him in Finland ! He could have been born in Sweden. Would he have the same effect on me then? Would he have been able to compose in the same way?
Really? You don't cry when you hear Brahms, Mahler or Stravinsky?
Stravinsky, probably not, Brahms and Mahler have written songs, some certainly are moving, but I'd probably not cry listening to their symphonies. But I have not heard all Mahler's symphonies.
Of course I just cry occasionally listening to Sibelius, because missing home. And it only means a few tears, I don't sob :) But I remember crying when listening to "The Saga", though I was not in a foreign country, I was only 15 or something.
Do you cry listening to music?
Yes, sometimes my eyes well up or I feel sentimental. I first heard Sibelius when I was in high school and I liked it (the Second and Third Symphonies).I feel some energy with him but have never felt tearing...but then again, I am not Finnish of Scandinavian. To be frank, as an adult, his music appears to be a bit campy. Also was listening to Stravinsky as a high school student and have re-discovered it and really like it. Truthfully, Brahms brings tears to my eyes, he strikes a chord.
Quite, quite wonderful! An almost unique piece beautifully played. Thank you for the posting.
This was such a joy to listen to. Thank you so much for sharing these.
An incredible performance by incredibly talented young musicians! Love the "mellow fellow cello players" starting at 3:12 followed by the stalwart & swarthy dudes bowing their testosterone-filled hearts out in the string bass section!
This piece always moves me... such a delight!
=)
This is the most beautiful piece of Sibelius. He's the master of expressing feelings from Finland.
such a cold, lonely sound, that is oddly appealing at the same time---like mittons left out in the snow.
It's a travel to heaven
Wonderful!
Outstanding
Standard works like Sibelius 2 can become somewhat stale when performed by professional orchestras. It takes a "Jugendorchester" - an orchestra of young people - who have not yet become jaded by repetition, to breathe new life into the composition. This is a beautiful example of that phenomenon.
This is the kind of piece that you get goosebumps while playing. It's happened. haha :)
Thanks for posting this.
Best crowd reaction ever.
RIP Maestro
I love Sibelius Symphony No.2
Thanks so much 4 posting :)
This is so freakin amazing
when the trumpets come in at 3:39... thats the proudest and best moment of the symphony
Great conductor, great performance. Beautiful. Thanks for posting.
Great music great condictor .. like Sibelius .... this is part from.Sympfoni l know ... it mskes me cry
just for everybody who don't knows: this orchestra is better than nearly the most professional orchestras in the World..accept that, they are on one step with the european youth orchestra, the world youth orchestra, the simon bolivar youth orchestra and the most professional orchestras in the world, in my opinion are the berlinphil, NYSO, london symphony orchestra.. better..- technically. but this orchestra is much more awesome to watch, cause ther is so much joy in the playing of young people..
Look at that timpani playing! I hear/feel the north wind blowing when I hear this movement.
This is so nice
I love it :)
@flipflops373 Sibelius described the composition process thus: "it was as if the Almighty had cast the pieces of a jigsaw on the ground for me to put them together". I have lived in Finland and his works speak so eloquently.
Very Good!
Gracias.
That.
That was epic.
Que bello ese final es muy sublime BRAVO BRAVO muy elegiaco el final diria. Bravo!!!!!!
Wow, there are 12 double bass players. Most unusual. Typically, there are 8. It must have something to do with the size of Royal Albert Hall, a venue which can hold up to 5,200 people. I wonder if the Philharmonia or London Symphony Orchestras play with that many bassists when they play there?
@codypalooza I was forgetting the greatest goose pimple ending of the lot - Shostakovich 7!
@mdenero I have just told someone what this does to me... It has always done it since i was 13 (I'm 64) when I first heard only a part of it! I heard it on BBC Radio's Desert island Discs.
I will have to stop here..wiping my eyes.
Do you heare in this music a motive of renovation, revilal, regeneration?
For me it's a place of a life power, energy, renaisance. From minor to major. From precipice to stares. From a hell to hope.
Sibelius rocks! Finest symphonic finale of its time. .........oh err, maybe with the exception of Gustav Mahler....
The shocking thing is that it's even better live.
Jesus if orchestras got responses like that after a performance then more people would join an orchestra
i have to say, the conductor doesnt look that excited to be conducting the most BEAST piece ever :D
Could I also add the last movement of Saen Saens Symphony No. 3,(The Organ Symphony),to your impressive "goosebump" list.
I would add:
Mahler 3rd symphony, finale
Prokofiev: Final chorus from "Alexander Nevsky"
Schoenberg: Finale from "Gurrelieder"
Beethoven: Final movement - 9th symphony
Shostakovich: Final movements from 5th and 7th symphonies.
for me the best perfomance would be the one I have recorded live with the Sao Paulo State Symphony, conductor: Frank Shipway, saw that live, almost had a heart attack!!!!
@tirolerhut79
thanks a ton! ill be sure to check some of those out, ive heard most of them and they are fantastic.
You're right on the money: That's exactly what it was!
They are too young to have become jaded by repetition, and so you get a performance of great freshness and dedication. It is obvious from their body language and expression. An orchestra of mature players never looks like this.
The issue is you’re judging with your eyes instead of ears. If you actually listened, you would hear there is none of the nuance or attention to detail you would expect from a mature orchestra, it’s all just loud and brash
@Strefanash thats silly,
after such a performance everyone should applaude, if only to say thankyou. Clapping makes people feel good.
I've always felt there were parts of this movement that sound cinematic. For another example of a Sibelius composition that would be well-suited for film (perhaps as a background to opening credits), give a listen to Spring Song (Vårsång)--last time I looked, there were two versions of it on UA-cam. With all the excellent theatrical music Sibelius composed, it's a shame he never wrote anything for cinema.
🙏🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆♥️♥️🎶
@alexpjp I agree with you--they drown out the winds.
He must have believed in God when he was writing the fifth symphony and felt "God is opening his doors for a moment, and his orchestra is playing the fifth symphony"
Es interesante como Sibelius combina el "obstinato" de una melodia con la aparicion de otras melodias y se van superponiendo y contrapunteando ,sin que ninguna de ellas ceda terrreno...para ir juntas construyendo este final en que todas se amalgaman.
I really hate it when a video is not in sync with audio... especially because I try to learn what the conductor's doing.
bravo to mr. "douglas boyd" =D bravo!
@ChinLinn you're so right o_o
Sir Colin Davis with the correct speed,as Sibelius himself wanted it.18 seconds faster than Bernstein if only the sound engineer put a more directional mike for the drums and tympanis.A difficult piece to conduct indeed.
@codypalooza How amazing - I thought exactly the same as you whilst listening to this! Tiroler has given a spot on list , but also try Walton sym 1 1st movement, Mahler 1, Bruckner 8, Bruckner 7 1st mvt, of course Beethoven 5&9, Tchaikovsky 4, Rachmaninov 1. And if you are feeling strong, Brahms 4 - the whole final movement builds like Sibelius 2, but it builds down, not up - beware, it can seriously damage your health!
can anyone recommend a symphony similar to the grandeur of this finale? hard to find one as good as this, help is appreciated.
@codypalooza Try Bortkiewicz Symph No.2 on here...brilliant live recording and has got everything Russian flying around...cheers
Brilliance extraordinaire. Makes me feel the world will survive our communist onslaught!!!!! Wonderful
UA-cam.com Sibelius - Savola
Sibelius-Sym No. 2 (complete) Scandinavian Sym of Detroit-Savola.wmv - Sibelius
Tschaikowsky-Romeo et Juliette, Finnish Radio Sym Orch - Savola .wmv - Tchaikowsky
William Savola - Excerpts # 2 - Debussy & Wagner - Debussy & Wagner exerpts
Does anyone think this sounds like John Williams?
@ChinLinn
Song?
@Numboss
No, this comes from human beings. Isn't that fantastic?
@Music4life0991
Grammaticaly speaking its exactly the same.
I phrased it that way to be witty:)
Obviously it didn't work :p
@Numboss I agree with u, this music does come from God! Cuz without God, there never would have been music in the first place, or humans to make music
It was too fast at the end. Sounded like the orchestra was rushing through the music. Bernstein's tempo was a lot better.
The coda of the final movement of the Bruckner 5 may be the finest in ALL classical music!
video/audio not in sync :(((
Rather an agitated woodwind section, don't you think?
@ChinLinn troll much?
Isn't it just !!! Over too quickly for me,however.
I got seasick watching this. Too much movement can be a distraction.
And don't forget "Danse generale" from Dahpnis and Cloë by Ravel (watch?v=yWW7x0ZvswA) and "Lauriers" from "Cyprès et Lauriers" by Saint-Saëns (watch?v=GTqdwd0QaNg - this is a horrible performance though)
Too fast in my opinion. Bernstein with the Vienna philharmonic takes it just right. Personally, it takes away from the emotion and glory in the finale but music is always open to interpretation I suppose. Nonetheless an amazing performance.
playing too fast