The 1000th Video: The IDEAL Sibelius Tone Poems

[@TheScottishoats]

"The Hurwitz 1000th" now stands proudly alongside Beethoven's 9th, Mahler's 2nd, Bruckner's 4th, and Sibelius's 5th in my personal classical repertoire. Well done, Sir.

[@jdistler2]

Congratulations on this monumental milestone! It's especially heartening to see so many young viewers who have gotten started in classical music through your videos.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thanks Jed!

[@mercedes932]

Congrats Dave on this achievement!! I hope to see you still here at the 2000th video!

[@detectivehome3318]

10000th as well!

[@jacobstarling734]

Congrats on the 1000th video Dave!! I'm only 19, and when I first started watching your videos I knew VERY little about classical music. Your insights and enthusiasm have truly opened up the magical world of the classical repertoire to me, and improved my life inordinately. I'm now studying a course in musicology at Uni, and hope to someday be as familiar with all this as you are. I cannot thankyou enough

[@thebruckler3707]

Another 19 year old here, my journey would have been near impossible without David.

[@carlthopebenyar5455]

An 18 year old here ... Can't express enough gratitude to the guy!

[@2alberich2]

You're a gem, Dave! Just resist the temptation to hum and sing. Your pa-dahs don't really do the music justice. Other than that, your videos (all 1000 of them) light up my life.

[@arneheinemann3893]

Congratulations, David. Your channel is the best I found on KZbin so far. Thank you for many rewarding recommandations. Best wishes from Northern Germany ! Arne Heinemann

[@mackjay1777]

Absolutely love hearing the ending of that Wood Nymph, a hell of a performance!

[@cgbleak]

You are thanked back a thousand-fold! You're my skeleton key into this vast, crazy, complex, intimidating, rewarding world. You're lucky. We're about the same age. You've got so many performances of the repertoire under your belt. I've got so many ahead of me--too many (tick tick tick). Still, you always remind us beginners: don't listen because it's "good for you," listen because it's fun. Your work is deeply appreciated. Heartfelt thanks.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

You are very welcome. Thank you for watching and for letting me guide you.

[@carlthopebenyar5455]

My goodness! I may not comment much (part of the silent majority :) but this channel means the world to me... I don't think anyone in this whole world would have given me a better introduction to the music of Janáček and Martinu and the reocordings... oh the recordings... I owe you a lot! Thanks for everything!

[@jvaldesmtz]

Congratulations from Mexico on your first 1000 videos. I hear you everyday since I discovered you. Thanks🎉🎉

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank you! 4000 now!

[@rainerm.8168]

Without you the joy of music is the same, but just not quite. Thanks for the thousend-th and all the previous and coming ones. TAM-TAM!

[@bbailey7818]

Congratulations! Must play the LvB Gratulations-Menuett in honor of this momentous occasion. Or more appropriate, Festivo. On to 2000!

[@johnmontanari6857]

Made it through the complete list! And all in the recommended versions, save for the earlier DG Karajan/Berlin Tapiola instead of the EMI/Warner. Now all I need is a sauna and a roll in the snow outside our lovely cottage, Poojala (named for our eldest cat, Pooja).

[@noriemeha]

Congrats on reaching a 1000. When I first heard the Wood Nymph, I was astonished by the first pages and thought, how could Sib shelve such awesome music. I can see how, as an early work, the composer was trying to escape smothering influences of his development such as Wagner, Bruckner, so he may thought of it having to be rebuilt from the foundations upwards and just didn't get round to such a big task.

[@fcamiola]

Congrats and thanks for another video on the GOAT - Sibelius!

[@GBukalders]

Thank you for your reviews of classical music and sharing your knowledge and experience!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

My pleasure!

[@AlexMadorsky]

Mazel tov Dave! Thank you again for all the wonderful works, composers, recordings (and t-shirts!) you’ve introduced us to in the first 1,000 videos. This channel has been a real source of daily joy during this horrific pandemic. Now I’ll shut my yapper and keep on listening - I don’t know Sibelius tone poems very well, but I hope to learn.

[@alirezaseyyed-ahmadian7743]

Hearty congratulations, David! What you have done so far indubitably is a colossal achievement. A tremendous contribution to the music we all love. I feel happy to attend to them regularly. Many happy wishes for you and looking forward to watch you on the 2000th Video in your magnificent channel. (A great video on Sibelius' Tone Poems, BTW)! Keep on speaking, my friend!

[@providence51]

I watch every one of your videos daily. Truly appreciate your knowledge, sense of humor, and all your recommendations. Thanks again, Elaine

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

You are so welcome!

[@raoul2u]

Congratulations! And not a dull moment in all 1000. Thanks for whetting so many appetites for excellent music and for bringing a bit of fun as well as intellectual stimulation into life under Covid.

[@johnmontanari6857]

Methinks I will be binging on Sibelius tone poems today. That's how I roll -- once anyone brings up some artist, composer or work, I'm filled with an irresistible desire to hear it. Mazel tov on Video 1K, Dave!

[@marknewkirk4322]

Thank you a thousand times. May the thumbs of a thousand new subscribers always point upwards!

[@howard5259]

Wow - congratulations Dave - but I've only just joined your journey. I have about 988 still to watch. And you're going to keep adding to them? Yikes... great but... yikes. Do I have enough lifetime? Do I have forever? Well, anyway, this is a great one to pass your landmark. I love Sibelius. I had the Collins recording of Night Ride and Sunrise in my teens, so about fifty years ago, and it has been a favourite work ever since. I didn't realise it is 'difficult' and I would encourage anyone who doesn't know it to get into it. It really is not very long and there are plenty of great recordings. But again you're right... Pohjola's Daughter is my favourite and a truly great piece. I used Vanska's recording in our local hi-fi store when buying speakers and the staff were blown away... almost literally.

[@Danzig987]

1,000 videos -- wow! I've watched only a fraction of them, but most of the time I come away with a bit more education -- and often a "lol" moment or two! Thank you! One of my favorite Sibelius Tone Poems is the brief but oh-so-appealing "The Bard". The 2015 recording by JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic on Beau Fleuve is the desert-island version for me.

[@nickhamshaw1234]

Fabulous congratulations. A lot of people will find this video a fitting and very special celebration. This collection of works represents a body of creative output that it is a privilege to know. And anyone listening who doesn’t know these works is suddenly going to find the most special of all worlds open up to them. It’s an incredible journey.

[@claudiogabrielcastro3346]

Hello Mr Hurwitz and everybody. I'm from Argentina. Only very recently did I come across your videos, which I enjoy enomously for being so fun and didactic. I've been reading music reviews for many years, including The Gramophone, which is or should be no Bible. I greatly appreciate your objectiveness and unbiasedness, so hard to find around. I agree with your criteria: one has to trust one's ears, romantic music should be allowed to sound so, a limit should be set to period style of performance, non musical factors should not interfere with musical judgement (eg. Ferrier, Patzak, Walter, Vienna Phil recording of Mahler's Lied von der Erde), etc, I hope you're still around making videos. Just a million thanks!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Welcome, and thank you very much for your kind words!

[@MahlBruckner8]

I'm getting nothing done because these great talks are so interesting, educational and addictive. We forgive you. Another talk included a demonstration of the large ratchet. In an emergency, a coffee grinder can be drafted into service. Cheers from Santa Barbara.

[@andrevanbaest5593]

Congratulations David ! Carry on ! Regards André van Baest, The Netherlands

[@steveevans6241]

What En Saga it has been. Opus 1000 already in less than 2 years. More prolific than Mozart. There has never been a more insightful, informative & downright enjoyable way to let my chores pile up at home than watching another of your videos. Cheers - to your good health & to many more!

[@kushaldasgupta]

Hearty felicitations Mr. Hurwitz. You are doing a great service to humanity, initiating us to the most sublime of the arts i.e. music and revealing what we humans are truly capable of achieving/creating. Thank You!

[@Barbirollifan]

Congratulations, Dave! I have been a regular viewer since the beginning when I started having to teach via distance learning. I am a middle and high school band teacher and was so very frustrated by trying to do band over the internet (which didn't really work for any of us!). Your daily videos got me back into listening to my vast CD collection and reminded me daily of my love for music, which helped me to be a better teacher. Discovering new works and great performances has been a constant source of joy for me during the entire Covid epidemic. Despite all the hardships, great music has lifted me time and time again. Thanks for serving as my tour guide and opening my eyes to new recordings and works that I didn't previously know!!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thanks for sticking with it!

[@Barbirollifan]

I should add that I am now on a military deployment (I play in an Army Band) and working in hospitals to help them through the latest Covid surge. I am working my first of many 12 hour graveyard shifts and I can tell that your videos and the great music will help me get through this as well!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@Barbirollifan I know that everyone appreciates your sacrifice, and I'm honored that these videos help you get through it.

[@richardwilliams473]

1 thousance video !!! BRAVO to you ,David. You are the best classical music reviewist !!!!

[@waynesmith3767]

Love your Sibelius videos; they are informative and they are fun and you are a great introduction to understanding this great composer. I rejoice to concur that he primus inter pares of the great tone poem composers.

[@knutanderswik7562]

Congratulations, and thank you for the great talks! There is in fact a sort of fiddle-playing male nymph-type thing called a näck (related to the word "naked", Petersen-Berger set a sad song about him) who plays in a cataract and lures people to their doom, aspiring fiddlers in Sweden wade naked into a stream in his honor to play every year and one is chosen the winner on a blend of musical and aesthetic grounds. The contest is called "Årets Näck" and has, in recent years, been infiltrated by accordionists and even a saxophone, innovations which are to be deplored by traditionalists everywhere I am sure.

[@detectivehome3318]

Yessssssssss Congratulations Dave on your 1000th video!!

[@TheUtke]

As a timpanist/percussionist, I am convinced that, whenever a composer writes ‘paukenschlägel’ for bass drum, it was for lack of a better term, or because they may not have had the smaller bass drum mallets we use for rolls. It was never to ensure a thin sound.

[@davidaiken1061]

It was time for a victory lap, and what better way to take it than through the Finnish forests. I tuned into your podcasts in June 1020 and have missed very few since then. A healthy addiction. Your reviews, discussions and rants rarely disappoint. Thanks! As far as the Ideal List of Sibelius tone poems is concerned, I was delighted to make first acquaintance with "The Wood Nymph," which I must add to my collection forthwith. I was familiar with the majority of your choices and agree wholeheartedly when it comes to Gibson, Ormandy and Karajan (who knew was one of the few to understand the secret of Tapiola--don't rush the storm!). Two conductors I might have included in my ideal list would have been Horst Stein (regrettably ignored by critics but a great Sibelian wose Night Ride and Sunrise is the most satisfying I have heard), and Beecham (who rarely disappoints because he knew how to convey atmosphere). By the way, you need to do a video on Beecham's legacy at some point--and Warner needs to come out with a new and better Beecham edition.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Re: Beecham, I know. I've been thinking about it, and hoping for a new, really complete edition. For some reason he seems not to be on anyone's radar anymore.

[@davidhobbs1908]

Congratulations, David! Thank you for doing all of the work that goes into making these fantastic videos. It seems like many of us are enjoying the fruits of your labor! There was a dearth of positivity over the past two years - especially in the arts. I want you to know that your videos have been a source of enrichment, entertainment, education, enjoyment, and inspiration for me. I hope that they’ve been as much of a blessing for you as they have been for the thousands of viewers that are fortunate to have found them. I raise a glass and strike a tam-tam to celebrate and honor your tremendous achievement. Thank you!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank you!

[@carlconnor5173]

Congratulations! Here’s to 1000 more! Heck, 2000 more; 3000 more? I get excited, like a child, when I see a video pop up about Sibelius. It’s perfect for celebrating with you on your 1000th.

[@ernestrobles1510]

I can’t believe that I’ve seen 1000 of anything. Keep them coming and I’ll keep watching.

[@richardwoloshen8893]

Dave, many congratulations on an amazing milestone! Your wit and wisdom are a daily balm, and I can always count on learning something new AND laughing out loud thanks to you. I'm not sure my bank account would agree - I've bought so many of your recommendations, LOL! Great topic today, too, and I couldn't agree more with your choice of Karajan's edgier-sounding EMI Tapiola over his DG version (good though that is). My pick for Tapiola is Koussevitzky with the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Naxos. Despite the (very) dim sonics from 1939, the inexorable pulse he and the BSO give to the music is hypnotic and thrilling at the same time. I know it's pretty fast, too, but the BSO strings are so virtuosic that the storm is - for me - even more terrifying than in slower readings. And I really like Beecham's take on the Oceanides. There, the recorded sound is quite respectable, and the various strands of the piece come together beautifully. Thanks again for all you do to inspire us to 'keep on listening'!

[@Peter-tg1kk]

For once quantity and quality went together. Loved the variety offered. Reviews and musical analysis in different contexts, all giving people plenty of choice.

[@ternegf]

Congratulations! An excellent list to chalk up the 1,000 with! Just one thing, I’m acquiring the recordings on iTunes, as that’s my medium of choice for classical music these days, but can’t get hold of the Karajan EMI recording of Tapiola, the 60s and 70s versions I have on his on DG, are just too slow for my tastes. At the moment I’ve substituted the excellent recording by Hannu Lintu and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, which is just 18:15 minutes long, and superb, are there any other recordings of this work that you’d recommend?

[@Tungusqa]

Congratulations David for the first 1000 videos! In all of them you demonstrate your great culture and knowledge of music and composers and their works, which most teachers of higher conservatories would like to have. Thank you for all those great and fun moments that you make us spend in each of them, with which we learn a little more about our favorite music... and squeeze our pockets!! I hope a thousand more videos at least! Greetings from Valencia, Spain.

[@jaimemartinpacheco4887]

Enhorabuena Dave, muy agradecido por tus videos, que nos han regalado a muchos tus interesantes análisis y nos han abierto nuevas posibilidades de escuchar obras y versiones no conocidas. Mucho éxito para tus próximos 1000 videos. Saludos cordiales desde Madrid. Congrats. Dave, thanks a lot for your first 1000 videos... even a terrible global crisis can result in unexpected great ideas and opportunities. Best regards.

[@powerliftingcentaur]

I haven’t been able to go to a concert or to the opera. I just wish I had discovered you from the beginning. Congratulations and thank you.

[@chadweirick67]

Congratulations on the 1,000!

[@carlcurtis]

Congrats on the 1000th. Watch your videos shamed me into renewing my lapsed Classics Today subscription. Long overdue!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Zezahn]

Congratulations Dave, every day more and more the musical friend we all knew we needed and could not get. Thank you so much for all this beauty and happiness!

[@johnmarchington3146]

Thanks again, David. An excellent choice and I agree with you when you stated that his symphonic poems are probably the greatest of them all. "Pohjola's Daughter" is magnificent, with "Tapiola" close behind. Could the "Karalia" overture or suite have been included?

[@anwla]

I love this show! Keep up the great work, this is my favorite pastime now. Much, much better than Succession! Oh, by the way, and thanks for talking sense about The Wood Nymph!

[@s28101]

Dear David Hurwitz, really heartfelt thanks from an amateur musiclover, from no 1 to no 1000, and the musictalks goes on. Thank You!❤

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

You're very welcome!

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

I actually went to school with Gibson's grandson!

[@MarauderOSU]

Dave, thank you so much for doing these videos. This pandemic has kept me from traveling, for one. And, as a result, I had been buying a bunch of CDs, records, and downloads that I likely never would've bought otherwise. I had never been into the big box sets until I got into these videos. And now, I'm glad to say that I now have at least six big ones and some smaller ones as well.

[@bigg2988]

11:30 So we actually get "The Wood Nymph" on "Ondine"! Double trouble, damp alright! ;)) Btw, I liked that ending immensely!

[@marceloforones6939]

Keep on please! We all enjoy and learn so much! Thank you so much!

[@josecarmona9168]

Thanks for your Channel, David. It has been a constant and daily joy in this awful times. And It surely will be equally fantastic in the future. So come on to reach the 2000th video. Please, keep on teaching us!!!

[@JohanHerrenberg]

My favorite music channel, bar none. Congratulations, Mr Hurwitz!

[@fjblanco]

A well-deserved congrats! Your passion not only for music itself but teaching about music, performances and recordings, is infectious… in this time of infections.

[@dmntuba]

I've been waiting for this and HERE WE ARE 1000💥 Congratulations and I am ready for the next 10,000👍

[@russellb5573]

WOWOWOW! Got to thank you for for introducing me to that tempestuous 'Wood Nymph'. What a thrilling, stupendous piece of work. Listening to it, was like having my ears opened to Sibelius for the first time, again! The ending just blows you away Bravo on your 1000th performance!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeffwoodruff1698]

Congrats on #1,000 Dave, I'll join your other fans in thanking you for keeping the classical flame burning. You've managed to wade into the waters of music commentary and criticism, which is to say the land of strong opinions, all the while keeping your credibility and integrity intact. We're all looking forward to the next 1,000...

[@Bigbobtube]

Congratulations David! Keep on gabbing and we’ll keep on listening.

[@pauloqueiroz9611]

Congrats Dave for a wonderful job!! Have becme a big fun of your videos and have made me either discover new music or select best options for standard repertoire.Thank you and wishes for continued success!!😃😃😃

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank you very much!

[@brennanjordan4292]

Congratulations on the 1,000th video. A thousand thanks! And a very fun topic for the show.

[@charlescoleman5509]

Congrats Dave! I've been an avid watcher since the beginning. I feel that you've elevated this wonderful genre to a plateau where a more mainstream public could take notice. As you've suggested, people have minds of their own and should not have the classical world shoved down their throats from a repressive classical enthusiast. The music should just be there for curious people to discover organically. And this channel does that better than anything else. Thank you!

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

Congrats Dave! I've loved everyone single one of the videos you've put out

[@scagooch]

Congrats! My listening has gotten so much better.

[@casualcomposer2496]

This was a really nice list! My personal favourite Pohjola's daughter is Stein with Orchestra de la Suisse Romande on Decca because it's really exciting and the opening solo without vibrato has a proper folk song sound to it. Congratulations on your milestone, David! Absolutely love this channel!

[@martinhochbaum8936]

Yesher koach, Dave! May you continue on this merry musical journey happily and in good health!

[@marks1417]

"I see no point in stopping" ha, that's great to hear.

[@armandodelromero9968]

For 20 months that I enjoy most of my evenings with the company of your wonderful videos. Thank you very much Dave. I've learned so much and your musical taste has helped me greatly to discover new interpretations and repertoire. Regarding the tone poems, I imprinted on Sanderlings "Nightride". Love listening to it in my car as I cross Alpine Swiss mountain valleys in the dark.

[@FREDGARRISON]

WOW !!!!! Your 1000th video. There's a lot more videos I got to watch. Hope I live long enough to get them all in. I am a rather old senior citizen, not quite 74 years old. Best wishes, Dave. "KEEP ON TRUCKIN"

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Nah, you're still young!

[@FREDGARRISON]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Thanks for the encouragement, but I feel like I was born in 1848 instead of 1948. Glad I made this this far thought...I would have missed all your videos if I wasn't still here....

[@robertbubeck9194]

Salutations, Dave, for the first 1000! Your fine discourses enlighten us and prompt one to revisit "old friends" from the shelf. This video got me to grab my ~34 year old copy of the Gibson/SNO/Chandos Tone Poems set and have an enjoyable listen with fresh ears. Thank you!

[@frgraybean]

All the best to you! I have been with you all the way and have learned so much. Thank you for introducing me to Sibelius' Wood Nymph...wow!

[@Plantagenet1956]

Very many congratulations on achieving on your 1000th video.

[@JackBurttrumpetstuff]

The Wood Nymph, Wow! First time hearing that!

[@anttivirolainen8223]

One thousand, that's quite a milestone in such a short time! This channel is perhaps the best thing COVID-19 ever brought about. I've been an enthusiastic listener of classical music ever since late 1990s (when I was a teenager), and I have gained somewhat extensive knowledge of it (if I do say so myself). But this channel has managed to deepen my knowledge in so many issues, and I thank you for that. I truly wish that there will be thousands and thousands of videos more to come!

[@peterboer9572]

Congratulations Dave, you are doing an amazing generous job. Keep on doing!

[@gmroberto1967]

Congratulations and a very heartfelt THANK YOU for your wonderful channel! Looking forward to the 10,000th video!

[@georgenestler2534]

Congrats on 1000 videos. Most informative Dave.

[@banielha]

Congratulations and thank you, Dave.

[@aatim2308]

Congratulations on the 1000th video! I hope you'll keep up your highly educational and entertaining videos, Mr. Hurwitz!

[@danieldroppa3170]

Congratulationa to 1000 videos. I am looking forward to next haydn symphony crusade, or the ''well-tempered music''

[@richardwiley3676]

Congratulations!! I enjoy all your videos so much.

[@deanjonasson6776]

Congratulations, Dave! It's quite an achievement and, more importantly, the music talk is informative and entertaining. Keep on sharing!

[@bendingcaesar65]

I love the Wood Nymph, and the wokesters can stick their "you know what," up their "you know what." Congrats on the 1000th video. A great achievement of great value.

[@DiegoGonzalez-nv9qv]

Congratulations on your milestone - the joy of music criticism is evident in all of your videos.

[@charlespowell9117]

Congratulations,Dave and thanks for the Sibelius tone poems--one of my favorite composers--keep on going!!

[@robertclark8546]

I can't beleive I only recently found you channel but it's like it was created just for me. Congrats on your 1000th video and what better way than with Sibelius! Love your passionate and opinionated discussions so much even (and maybe especially) when i disagree!

[@rudyfan1926]

Congratulations Dave! It is great to reconnect, virtually, and enjoy your expertise, opinions and great humor! Here is to the next 1000 videos.

[@danhurwitz1332]

Bravo Dave!!! You are The Best!! I wish you 1000 more…..,.,

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thanks Dan.

[@firzaakbarpanjaitan]

Congrats on your 1000th video Mr. Hurwitz! Your channel is a heaven for aspiring classical listeners such as myself to broaden my list of repertoire to discover. Here's to a thousand more!

[@jacklong2286]

I have learned not to question Mr. Hurwitz on his recommendations as his knowledge of classical music recordings is encyclopedic! Starting with En Saga, I listened to Neeme Jarvi’s 1986 BIS recording on KZbin and heard the menacing bass drum part for the first time in all its glory. I then listened to my Ashkenazy Philharmonia recording & realized why David had not mentioned it. I did much the same with Tapiola. I listened to Karajan’s EMI recording on KZbin which is much finer than his digital recording on DGG (it also has some strange audible extraneous noise in certain passages). I have owned this DGG recording for many years. Unfortunately the EMI recording is not available as a download, so I ordered the CD. Perhaps Mr. Hurwitz would consider revisiting Tapiola recordings more extensively in the future since it is Sibelius’ last major orchestral work.

[@stephaningleby8024]

What a joy you are! What a force for good!

[@lionsloin7869]

Loved every second of this, and yes, your videos are all good. But you've outdone yourself in this one. Amazing job - thank you.

[@Misha.K23040]

Fantastic choice for No.1000 Dave! Can’t wait to watch

[@zdl1965]

Keep up the good work, Dave! The art of making CDs will survive because of your tireless work!

[@prospervic]

Awesome, Dave! Congratulations on tihs BIG milestone!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thanks a bunch!

[@sgfnorth]

Thanks Dave, here’s to a thousand more. A magnificent achievement and has enhanced my listening so much. You are a marvel.

[@navidbagheri7999]

Congratulations Mr. Hurwitz As a beginner follower of classical music, I've learned many things from you

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

That's great!