Post by hiredfox January 17, 2012 (131 of 234)
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rammiepie said:
Amaldo....playing possum?
A very suitable Schwanengesange?
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Vaan said:
Dreadful cover. Can we please have Sibelius without swans in the future.
As the designer of this ‘dreadful cover’ I am truly honoured (and quite amused) to follow this discussion since most CD covers are usually just being totally neglected by reviewers. IF they occasionally get a comment, it is typically a negative one. I totally agree that the cover is an important component of the integral product, and therefore I find it very strange that reviewers who share this view only pay attention when they happen to dislike. Why not being consistent and review either EVERY cover – or NONE?
I have no problem whatsoever with the fact that some people will find a certain cover to be good (or even great) while others will find the very same cover to be bad (or even dreadful). Arts work like that. I'm not a fan of Debussy’s music though I am musical enough to realize that Debussy was a first-rate composer; his music simply doesn't touch my heart. I never cared much for Holst's Planets; I can't hear, or visualize, any planets anywhere in the music, but I don't blame Holst for not having convinced me, or for inappropriately having taken on the task. Etc. etc. In the case of the Sibelius cover discussed here, the photo was taken by Jan-Peter Lahall, one of Sweden's foremost nature photographers. In purely photographic terms it is an excellent, highly professional art piece. Like it or not.
As others have already pointed out, the 'swan theme' is most relevant to the works on the disc. Yes, it has indeed been employed on a number of previous Sibelius covers, by BIS as well as other labels. But does it really resemble the swans on THE SIBELIUS EDITION? Or the swan on The Sound of Sibelius (BIS-SACD-1645)? Going through all previous BIS / Sibelius covers I only find a resemblance with the Lahti/Vänskä cover for the Symphonies Nos 2 & 3 (BIS-CD-862), although that is a painting and not a photo. Since the swans are obviously relevant to Sibelius, especially his Symphony No.5., why would it be less adequate to make variations on this particular theme, than it would be for any composer to write yet another set of variations on Paganini's Caprice No.24? Please explain to me wherein the difference lies (except for the fact that I don't compare myself to the genius of Brahms, Rachmaninov, Lutoslawski and others – their works are no doubt greater art pieces than mine).
Mr. Vaan, since it's "No problem whatsoever. Easiest thing in the world." to design a better cover for Sibelius Symphonies Nos 2 & 5, it would be very interesting to see your way with it, which of course has to be 100% good taste (agreed unanimously), 100% original in concept and 100% relevant to the music. Please, post it here, or email me at davidkornfeld@yahoo.se
David
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Post by Jonty January 17, 2012 (133 of 234)
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dreadfuldesigns said:
As the designer .....
Very well put. Come on Vaan give it a go.
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Post by hiredfox January 17, 2012 (134 of 234)
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dreadfuldesigns said:
...interesting to see your way with it, which of course has to be 100% good taste (agreed unanimously), 100% original in concept and 100% relevant to the music. Please, post it here, or email me at davidkornfeld@yahoo.se
David
One element would be a petard for sure probably white in colour...
(:-))
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Post by Hitters January 17, 2012 (135 of 234)
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dreadfuldesigns said:
As the designer of this ‘dreadful cover’ .....
.... Mr. Vaan, since it's "No problem whatsoever. Easiest thing in the world." to design a better cover for Sibelius Symphonies Nos 2 & 5, it would be very interesting to see your way with it, which of course has to be 100% good taste (agreed unanimously), 100% original in concept and 100% relevant to the music. Please, post it here, or email me at davidkornfeld@yahoo.se
David
Hola David
you are a complete genius.
Your post is a 100% a marvel.
Inspiring, as much as the cover.
Congratulations!
Juan
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Post by Vaan January 17, 2012 (136 of 234)
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Dear David,
Sibelius did not write a swan symphony. A certain theme in the finale is said to be inspired by swans flying over his home, and that leaves an enormous amount of music on this album that has absolutely nothing to do with swans. I wasn´t commenting the actual quality of the photo, I was critical about using it.
As it happens I often comment on the covers of the discs I review, more so when I like them actually. For me it is an integral part of the product, as I mentioned in an earlier post. A year ago I published in my "Best of the year list" a cover picture that I found to be a work of genius. So simple and so unusual in the last 40 years of classical music: http://www.naive.fr/#/work/handel-water-music-rodrigo
I don´t suggest using it for Sibelius though.
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Post by Jonty January 17, 2012 (137 of 234)
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What has the 'Water Music' to do with lounging about in a punt?
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Post by current93 January 17, 2012 (138 of 234)
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IMHO the cover for Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5 - Vänskä is one of the best ever to grace a Sibelius disc, along with Karajan one with deers on DGG and high-tech Exton Ashkenazy series. Hope others in the new BIS series will be up to this high standard. I want more deers and elks :-)
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Post by DSD January 17, 2012 (139 of 234)
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Post by DSD January 17, 2012 (140 of 234)
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Here is a larger photo of this Sibelius SACD so all can see how beautiful it is.
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