Sibelius : Symphony 6 ( Full )- Karajan *

The special lights on the landscape, the intense beauty of the opening pages and the heartfelt melancholy of part 2 and 4 makes this very underrated symphony of Sibelius my favourite one, especially with the insights of Herbert von Karajan, whose 6th never has been surpassed.
00.00 : 1. Allegro molto moderato
09.15 : 2. Allegretto moderato
15.35 : 3. Poco vivace
19.05 : 4. Allegro molto
Also on this channel:
Symphony 1 ( Bernstein DGG) :
• Sibelius: Symphony 1 (...
Symphony 4 Ashkenazy:
• Sibelius : Symphony 4 ...
Symphony 5 ( Karajan):
• Sibelius : Symphony 5 ...
Symphony 7 ( Karajan):
• Sibelius: Symphony 7 (...
Tapiola ( Jävi DGG):
• Sibelius : Tapiola (Fu...
Tapiola ( Karajan) :
• Sibelius : Tapiola ( ...
The Swan of Tuonela (Karajan);
• Sibelius : The Swan of...
The Bard ( Järvi):
• Video
Rakastava ( Järvi):
• Video
En Saga ( Ashkenazy):
• Sibelius : En Saga - A...
& Many others…….

[@jeremiestreiff8183]

I discovered Sibelius music right after my mom passed away, some 11 years ago. I couldn't stop listening to these ethereal, spiritual, and such sensitive melodies, in which I could feel my mom's soul. Beauty at its purest form.

[@Polygor2]

My third favourite composer, after Debussy and Ravel.

[@robertmahler8894]

Thank you for your beautiful comment! Please also listen to his Violin Concerto...matserpiece.

[@ESTMAIDEN]

14:38 So beautifully expressed and so genuinely. Thank you!

[@kelsocampbell1301]

I feel the same way. After my Mother passed some years ago, back in 2000, I also had certain select pieces of music that gave me a lot of comfort. Sibelius, Richard Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner, Corelli: Concerto Grosse (Christmas, 2nd mvt....wow!). If I may suggest, although classical is my favorite, you may also like the jazz guitarist Pat Metheny... Map of the World is good, as well as many other works by Metheny. just a suggestion! Hope all is well with you!

[@alvarito45]

Sibelius music, in all his Master Pieces is so original! What a huge proud for Finland such a wonderful composer.

[@kerrichristopher740]

Exquisite performance of this rarefied music. Sibelius' cycle of symphonies are one of the great spiritual, musical and intellectual monuments of the twentieth century.

[@normc09]

Kerri Christopher hi Ms.Kerri! It’s nice to see a familiar name in the KZbin comment section!

[@kjamesthomson3045]

I'm 56, this has been my favorite Sibelius symph. since my early 20's, soon after taking in all his symphonies and loving them so much. I'm convinced that the Sixth has been ahead of it's time and will remain to become more and more loved and recognized. To me, the seven symphonies stand as a grand cycle, all connected; but when coming to the Sixth, I always pause in the greatest revelry of yearning, joy, and beauty.

[@paulbeard4218]

I agree--the 6th is distinctive, an artist's greatest work which he executes after a long journey of experience and anguish . It all comes together here .

[@noriemeha]

We know the composer considered it sadly neglected. In 1970 I bought and read Simpson's The Symphony Vol2 (Pelican Orig) and Truscott in his chapter on Sibelius said that the "shadowy 6th....left the stronger impression" when talking about the 7th. However, both works are individually remarkable and in no need of qualification. In my time I've noticed how the 6th has come to the fore in concert terms. It is contemplative sanity in music, more relevant today than in the time of its composition.

[@Polygor2]

My favourite too. The Fifth is overplayed on Classic FM radio.

[@nostradumbass4984]

Strange how tastes differ so much. I just listened to his 6th for the first time tonight, and I did´t really care for it. There is just not enough melody for my taste. I absolutely LOVE symphonies 1, 2, 3, and 5. His second is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written IMHO. It just takes me to another world!

[@tatalito]

Same here, i love the 6th symphony

[@MashedTubers]

This is Sibelius's connoisseur work and he totally outdid himself in it. A marvelous rendition by that titan of conductors.

[@nicholasshannon1071]

I agree.

[@dayan5402]

When a musician tries to tell you a story from his/her soul, it is magical and you feel it instantly. Sibelius is one of this kind!

[@germanchris4440]

"his/her". Good boy/girl!

[@yohannesephrem9096]

The opening notes are just...........indescribable!!!

[@frankw9782]

Even more incredible is their return and transformation in the recapitulation.

[@kelsocampbell1301]

those Berlin strings are wonderful, aren't they?

[@jeffwatkins352]

Years ago, I heard this luminous symphony played live my first and only time. I went to the stage to thank the performers, tears in my eyes. A bassoonist cracked me a wry look and asked incredulously, "Are you Finnish???" I'm not, but Sibelius speaks deep into my soul.

[@alanrobertandrews6493]

Alan here - This happens to be my favourite sibelius symphony as well - I call it his pastoral symphony - Yes the 6th is special and probably the least known - what a Masterpiece - Bye for now

[@alexchristopher221]

Yes, it initially reminded me of Beethoven's 6th.

[@SuperAsalvador]

00:00 1. Allegro molto moderato 09:15 2. Allegretto moderato 15:25 3. Poco vivace 19:05 4. Allegro molto

[@tonypatriarche3791]

Here von Karajan's slow tempi and contemplative style shine and illuminate this most elusive of Sibelius' symphonies. In other works by Sibelius his approach can be tedious, but not here -- listen to the overlapping suspensions in the opening bars -- there is time to appreciate them at this speed! By contrast, the last movement seems rather rushed, but the coda brings it back in perspective and echoes the delicacy of the opening. A clear thumbs-up.

[@noriemeha]

And that cadenza at 27.35 is one of those moments in music, when heard, I think my heart will burst.

[@noriemeha]

This is the one of his that has the music to leech the soul of all pain... for me anyway.

[@scuunjieng]

while I have belatedly in my 60s become a big Sibelius fan, I have been very fond of this since a teenager and this interpretation with the really incomparable playing of the Berlin PO has been my favorite. many thanks and nice videos to accompany it too

[@alanrobertandrews6493]

With the 6th it is eatherial elusive earthly hypnotic so many words we could say - like everytime I here it I find something new - I grew up on karajans performance unsurpassed - Bye for now love Alan 👨‍🏫️

[@MAELBUSH]

Merci et bravo pour les illustrations qui accompagnent cette musique merveilleuse. C'est parfait!!!!

[@ridibundis77]

Sibelius -a true genius - all works are worth listening to and enjoy!

[@wolf1303]

Sibelius, such a great music...magical

[@jihanjoo]

15:19 Listened to the whole symphony to identify the location of the Sibelius 6 startup music. Was not disappointed. Great symphony.

[@corneliariasdita715]

I'm looking for the 8 startup one 😂 good to know this is the 6 one

[@johannpetersen1727]

it is in 7:31

[@juneyspoon]

The pictures fit Sibelius's music perfectly, and also depict life in the Finnish countryside so truly. Thanks for this, beautiful.

[@artistannesaucier]

Most moving of Sibelius's symphonies!

[@dap4699]

I don't know woman, I've come here crying like a teenager whose girlfriend has left him after hearing the fourth symphony.

[@mikepanick9362]

I totally agree, my personal favorite, and this performance is unparalleled.

[@johnnelson3665]

@@dap4699 he was trying to be hip. He realized Modernism wasn’t his thing later on though.

[@dap4699]

@@johnnelson3665 I don't know about that... His final experimentations... There's more than one way to modernism, and he was very proud till the end of his life with what he achieved with the 4th.

[@johnnelson3665]

@@dap4699 yes everything he wrote, he was proud of. He was an alcoholic. Just like me. Life is tough knowing you can’t enjoy life to the fullest without alcohol.

[@artistannesaucier]

Ethereal' , melancholy yet powerful, presaging rebirth, the renewal of spring . Uplifting!

[@paulbeard4218]

You have wisely expressed some of the descriptions of this great work .Fellow traveler .

[@a.jonathan1095]

1. Allegro molto moderato - 00:00 2. Allegretto moderato - 09:15 3. Poco vivace - 15:35 4. Allegro molto - 19:05

[@Dionysosable]

This is such a beautiful Symphony , It allways gave me such big feelings. This Symphony and the 1st , 2nd and 4th Are among the best of Sibelius Works. Just the opening here says it all. And the end brings tears in your eyes. A master work by an original. A true Genius.

[@paulbeard4218]

Don't forget the 3rd . I personally care not for his 4th---we all see art from our emotional journey .

[@dap4699]

I do care about the fourth. All Sibelius' symphonies are quite remarkable.

[@ErickMcNerney]

@@paulbeard4218 I find his 4th, 5th, and 7th to be my favorites. I just haven't given enough time to the others. I've always liked the 6th, but it also seems a little more challenging than some of the others.

[@frankw9782]

I personally never get tired of hearing the first movement of this symphony. The opening theme is so unassuming but it's transformation upon returning after the development section is nothing short of a miracle.

[@geraldnorman9437]

This symphony flows graciously, from beginning to ending.

[@sea7kenp]

Awesome performance. I like the end, where the Violins get the last note.

[@marcap1000]

Sensational! I agree with you 100%. Thanks for sharing

[@keiththomas795]

Wonderful 6th and superb video. Thanks KZbin.

[@ilkinond]

Such a mysterious work - even for Sibelius! And such an unsymphonic symphony too.

[@Jynell-yg2nz]

Such a beautiful and dreamy symphony ❤❤🎉

[@TheVaughan5]

Karajan was a great Sibelius conductor. His recording of the 5th symphony with the Philharmonia remains the benchmark for me and here we have another classic performance this time of the great 6th. Over the years Sibelius has become one of my favourite composers though I'm not over fond of the lst and 2nd symphonies. Kullervo on the other hand is magnificent one of the greatest symphonic compositions of all time IMO.

[@LuizBHMG]

+cameronpaul Are you crazy?? His 1st and 2nd symphonies are probably his best works and are among the best symphonies of all time!!!

[@TheVaughan5]

LuizBHMG No I'm not crazy just stating my opinion which is exactly what you are doing.

[@LuizBHMG]

+cameronpaul A crazy opinion! ;) His second symphony was selected to be like a Finnish hymn. A symbol! You've probably heard a bad version. Go listening to other versions until you notice it's a gem! His 1st one is a treasure as well!

[@Progbassist]

+LuizBHMG I actually must also say that. Even the 2nd symphony is surely an important piece and there are some good parts(especially towards the end) it doesnt really keep my attention as this symphony does. And I also think as composition this is more original sounding.

[@joseadolfo7928]

+cameronpaul the second simphony is my favourite a masterpiece

[@jhonsmith4280]

This is my favorite Sibelius symphony, I like it better than the 7th, I don't understand how Sibelius stopped after the 7th because he thought no symphony he would write will be better than the 7th but the 6th was already better than the 7th and that did not stop him so why let the 7th symphony stop him. I love the 6th, some of the passages in it are literally some of the few best musical moments to ever exist.

[@OdinLimaye]

Absolutely gorgeous.

[@kjamesthomson3045]

And thank you for such a beautiful youtube post.

[@user-hl1ti5yl3q]

この曲を聴く度に幸福な気分になります。あのしかめっ面のシベリウスがこんな軽快で清冽な名作を と感謝したい。七番の深淵さとは対照的ですよね。

[@jepl6985]

Agree entirely. A marvellous piece

[@WMAlbers1]

This recording was also one of my facvourites!

[@cayrephilippe2416]

I couldn't agree more. HvK's recording of the sixth is certainly the best.

[@noriemeha]

The ending of this symphony (the final 20 bars) is astonishingly wonderful. The first time I attended a performance I was fascinated to see how the first violins dropped out of the long held note at the end, one after another until a single player finished it. Was Sibelius trying to tell us something?

[@annakimborahpa]

Sundown in winter?

[@Memale2009]

Étonnant: un compositeur qui a un visage dur et amer est capable de créer une telle oeuvre touchante, de créer un tel MERCI émouvant à la nature...

[@leocadieux6781]

La Choriste Il ne faut jamais se fier aux apparences...

[@kelsocampbell1301]

The thing that gives Sibelius such a unique sound is that instead of a V to I progression, he often throws in the mix a minor ii 4 2 chord...can't write that in figured bass notation. It's where the seventh is in the bass and then the minor two is on top.....beautiful...if you're in C major, you have the chord d,f,a,c, with the c, the 7th, in the bass...He uses that at the very end of the 2nd symphony, as well as in many other moments! A real Sibelius technique that I love!

[@martinwest2538]

I think this is the Karajan version I've grown up to (anniversary edition together with Okko Kamu), with the shimmering Nordic light filtered through early summer leaves in the very beginning! I am confident this is the right tempo, not an ounce faster, to really bring out the wonderful suspensions i the weave of music. I have heard so many performances since, destroying this magic with a too stressful tempo. The whole symphony is pure magic, by the way! You can imagine a medieval scenery in the first movement, a mysterious forest with moonshine and magical creatures in the second (the true mystery beginning at 13:52). Maybe the knights from the first movement return in the third part, now engaged in some fierce tournament, perhaps, or is it somebody trying to flee on horse? The last movement being an epic story, dramatic and perhaps a bit tragic, too, finally ending in the fading light of the encountering fall, still feeling the sweet warmth of the last sunrays. Or maybe just enjoy the fabulous storytelling of Sibelius' own musical magic wand, without any silly presets?

[@annakimborahpa]

Perfect antidote for the winter blahs.

[@noriemeha]

Back in the 6os when I was into blues and rock, I sensed that supergroups like Cream and pop groups like the Beatles were trying to extend music beyond two and a half minute slices and were striving to create music that developed before the audience's ears. For some odd reason I bought this symphony 6 (10 bob mono/Collins & LSO) after purchasing Sibelius' 2nd simply because a local academic at the university said he had his first true orgasm listening to it (alone). I found the 2nd a revelation and the 6th a stunning fulfilment of music developing before your ears and creating (re the 1st movement) a wonderful illusion of having come a long way in short real time. Great artists can achieve these illusions.

[@martynproctor1576]

Just been listening to Jon Anderson of Yes how Sibelius inspired him to help create Close To The Edge

[@mpadierna]

Karajan's performances on Sibelius all share slower tempo (I've heard the 3rd before, its second movement is remarkably slow). That is especially charming. On the other side, there's a incredible brilliant version form Sir Alexander Gibson, with the Scottish National Orchestra. That's my favourite

[@greatclassicrecords]

But Karajan never did the 3rd......

[@mpadierna]

greatclassicrecords Unfortunately I haven't the proof, but I bought a vinyl pressed by Deutsche Grammophone in the 80's, that contained the 3rd and En Saga, conducted by him. But of course I can be wrong, it could be Okko Kamu

[@greatclassicrecords]

mpadierna Yes, it is Okko Kamu, but that's a very fine performance of the 3rd.

[@pietstamitz1]

Yes.. unfortunately, it's Kamu, but a nice performance nevertheless.

[@andrearacs561]

Merveilleuse musique!!!!!!

[@juhaniranki5323]

Leevi Madetoja's third symphony and Okon fuoko are incredible works.

[@alexchristopher221]

The opening phrases are as serene and sublime as the Finnish wilderness.

[@douglasmurphy6214]

The opening minutes remind me of swan of tuonela this is music of a great artistic genius

[@Prometeur]

These images perfectly fit Silbeius' music

[@radiootoo]

A search for suitable music to accompany my upcoming video tribute to the Laurel, Mississippi USA Museum of Art brought me to this sublime piece, premiering the same year the museum opened.

[@martinlee5604]

Don't forget his Danish contemporary, Nielsen. The Wind Quintet, Op.43, is astonishingly good.

[@juhaniranki5323]

Listen to Einojuhani Rautavaara's music too. And Kaija Saariaho. And Leevi Madetoja. They are also composers that we Finnish people are proud. 😃

[@peterbently1533]

A great perfromance. But bloody annoying those ads cutting in seconds before the end of each movement!

[@greatclassicrecords]

Use adblocker, it's for free!

[@americalost5100]

Ads ads ads ads.... Kind of breaks the mood Edit : But so good it pulls me back in each time

[@danilorainone406]

adblocker gobble the popups popout and pop movie thingies it works well

[@mountainsproductions6270]

7:32 "loading Sibelius 7.exe"

[@SoyElvisCocho]

Sibelius 8*

[@mjrbruckner9539]

In my view, due to veritable adoration, Sibelius is the only composer capable of setting Nature to music. The sixth is like a clean slate for its mysteriousness to grow, shine, sprawl and celebrate itself.

[@ojohnoho]

Enough with the swans, already. But a great recording undoubtedly.

[@americalost5100]

Yeah, he should never have written he'd seen 16 swans that day and how beautiful they were

[@Die_Walkure]

@@americalost5100 That was the 5th Symphony. But, yes... he loved swans apparently.

[@headythomas954]

Amen.

[@vangel1443]

I guess you can hear in this symphony how much Sibelius has suffered and how he's dealt with the pain. Just a thought; purely subjective.

[@joseadolfo7928]

The second symphony, in my opinion is by far the best. Forest Nymph his best work although he was not convinced

[@Fireball1787]

+Jose Adolfo I agree. I dearly love the 2nd Symphony. It was the first Sibelius piece I encountered, and I immediately wanted to listen to his others. The 7th has a rawness about it that has sometimes been described as "A primeval scream". It is certainly the starkest C Major piece of which I am aware.

[@joseadolfo7928]

listen to The Forest Nymph I think you´ll like it

[@PaulVinonaama]

Forest Nymph is not among top 200 of Sibelius.

[@JSRProd]

7:32 opening sequence of the notation software named after Sibelius.

[@RossCompose]

One of my college prof friends says Sibelius is more user friendly than Finale.

[@johnglittle]

This symphony has been interrupted twice so far by adverts for L'Oreal foundation. This is a new departure in KZbin. I'm too old and ugly to benefit much from the use of such but I swear that if this trend continues I shall use all my influence to persuade every foundation user I know, NOT to use L'Oreal. They do sacrilege well. That is all.

[@weltgeist2604]

You can get a thing called Ad Blocker to disable advertisements if you are sick of seeing them.

[@fritzb43]

Don't watch. LISTEN.

[@noriemeha]

Actually, it's lorry oil...that which makes America great!

[@andantemusic02]

You're one of those people who came for 15:18 aren't you?

[@danilorainone406]

sibelius conjures up finn northwind soul and snow too,

[@dqxie2]

Now you can startup both Sibelius 6 & Sibelius 8 in No.6

[@yohannesephrem9096]

The 7th is by far the greatest of Sibelius's repertoire and the most interesting symphony ever composed.

[@ronaldworley7178]

Love rautavaara's angel of light

[@kennethduckworth8100]

Wonderful performance. The visual accompaniment would have worked much better with still shots, infrequently changed. Also, the swan motif belongs properly with the 5th symphony, where Sibelius credited the main theme of the last movement to observation of a flight of swans while he was hiking in the eastern mountains.

[@hipsabad]

"wildlife images" ftw!

[@ExxylcrothEagle]

nice swans

[@BayardAugust]

Need to add some fishing line entanglements on the swans for realism.

[@johannpetersen1727]

7:31 Unforgettable 😂

[@juliayoung7269]

Shouldn’t be allowed to interrupt a movement with ads. In between movements I can accept, but please don’t break the flow of this wonderful music in this dreadful way! Makes me scream with vexation.

[@HerbalistGuybrush]

The most i ever got out of my money is buying a sibelius box cd set on ebay :)

[@millerforester6237]

They want you to pay for the service that was originally free (just to get you hooked)

[@limitkook]

7:30

[@tt-ew7rx]

The thumbnail is suitable for the 4th Symphony, not the 6th.

[@tt-ew7rx]

This!

[@user-fn1dn3fb2b]

Berliner Philharmoniker; 1967-04-18, Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin

[@pianoman598]

7:31 Sibelius Ultimate startup music you're welcome

[@elsaalcala5486]

Hope, against the covid 19

[@maxlinder5262]

Great music .......KORNY video .......

[@elfillari]

He was so bald, oh sorry bold I ment to say😂

[@annandmartintravers5281]

The video turns it into kitsch. Background music for a day out on the fjords.

[@noriemeha]

Ann & Martin, I think you speak big fibs. You said you no like No7 cause 1 to 6 more better. Now you say you no like 6. You must sort out head. Or just switch out light for more leg-over.

[@spaceaurora]

The 6Th of Sibelius is one of the greatest symphonies ever written. The Karajan version is one of the worst in my opinion. The Final is simply way too fast played. Or the hauntigly beautiful melodies of the final are lost there, dont know if its the speed or why ? . If you listen to versions of Paavo Berglund for example, or some other later versions you will understand what i mean. You will hear the heartbreaking melodies a lot better. The 5th and Tapiola then again are superb !

[@LuizBHMG]

+Kalervo Karlsson OK, I'll search for those versions...

[@LuizBHMG]

+Kalervo Karlsson I found a version of his 2nd symphony conducted by Paavo Berglund, but I didn't like much. It was a little too unexpressive and the tempo was too constant...

[@nannojonkers3817]

+Kalervo Karlsson Sibelius himself rated Von Karajan his ultimate performer.

[@greatclassicrecords]

+Kalervo Karlsson I own that version of Berglund also. It is also fine ( especially part 4) but less hauntingly melancholic. Maazel did a very out of the box 6th which is too eccentric, but I love that version also. Barbirolli is also fine , but Ashkenazy Davis ,and Rattle , they make nothing of it. Karajan is also the man in the minimalistic part 2.

[@koichiyasutani9732]

Have you had chance to try Maazel / WPO and Colin Davis / Boston SO accounts?

[@lazatarra]

Horrible *video* though... I can't stand it. It think it's even a bit cheesy -- not the music, of course.

[@paulybarr]

How can Nature possibly be cheesy?

[@KinkyLettuce]

he probably means those terribly made graphic effects. those birds just kinna slide through the screen awkwardly

[@andytaylor5476]

That's gratitude for you! I enjoyed the video- thank you!

[@hermajesty52]

lazatarra birds look like Nazgul.....

[@LuizBHMG]

+jeffreyFUU But this is the fun about this video! The birds just slide waving a little bit... They are semi-transparent and even the sunlight passes through them. Some parts are ridiculously disproportional. Pictures mix together moving around the screen... And suddenly pops up Sibelius' phantom-face lots of times, what doesn't discourage the birds of passing also through it with the same ironic speed and waving. It's a really hypnotic video, a crazy phantasy like this symphony is. It's amazing, isn't it??!! :D ;)

[@christophermacintyre5890]

Not too much by Sibelius I DON'T care for, aside from maybe In Memoriam, and even that isn't terrible, just not great. The late Masonic Lodge stuff is probably his only music I've heard which I don't like at all - not because it's Masonic, I just don't like it.

[@greatclassicrecords]

In Memoriam by Sibelius is not many more as an arrangement of Beethovens Marcia funebre, Eroica.

[@christophermacintyre5890]

It's sounds to me more like Mahler than Sibelius. Not a terrible piece, but a tad disappointing considering the weightiness of the subject matter, which Sibelius usually nailed every time. Long story short: it could have been greater.

[@noriemeha]

@@christophermacintyre5890 Poor old broke composer rattles off pieces to order to get money to pay the bills. Yes that was Sibelius. He was so like us in every way except he was infected with ingenuity.

[@henrywhite8944]

Whose the idiot that chose to ruin such a great piece of musical genius, with a most despicable add, and at such inappropriate times? It really sucks.

[@munyansebastien7127]

I think his name is Yu Tub, probably some Chinese guy.