Petri Sakari and the Iceland orchestra made a very positive impression in their earlier Sibelius recording of Pelleas, the King Christian II music and Swanwhite (Chandos, 7/93) and in their set of the Madetoja symphonies (Chandos, 8/92 and 1/93). The present issue offers vigorous and intelligently shaped accounts of both symphonies that will not disappoint anyone making the modest outlay involved – far less than the price of a concert ticket! There is something very likeable, an authenticity of feeling, about both performances. The Scherzo and finale of the First have real abandon and fire, and the orchestral playing has freshness and commitment. Tempos in the Third Symphony are well judged and there is an exhilarating sense of momentum. Remember though that the Ashkenazy/Philharmonia cycle is available in two competitively priced ‘doubles’, as is Sir Colin Davis’s Boston set; and good though the Iceland orchestra is, it is not so perfectly blended or tuned as the Philharmonia or Boston orchestras, nor do the strings have quite their depth of sonority. But these players are still very good indeed and there is tremendous vitality and enthusiasm. The sound is very vivid and well detailed (the acoustic is that of the Reykjavik University Hall and the producer is Paul Myers).
Summing up, I enjoyed these natural, impressively paced and above all musical performances: they are well worth the money and will give pleasure.'