Best Sibelius 5th?

hangos · Post by **hangos** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:17 pm

As an obsessive listener to Sibelius's 5th Symphony, I have enjoyed the recordings by;
Rattle (Philharmonia and CBSO)
Berglund (COE)
Segerstam (Helsinki PO)
Colin Davis (BSO and LSO RCA)
Karajan (DG 1965)
Hannikainen (Sinfonia of London)
Oramo (CBSO)
Ashkenazy (Philharmonia)
Ole Schmidt (RPO)
Gibson (SNO)
Vanska (Lahti)
Saraste (FRSO)
Barbirolli (Halle live BBC)
Blomstedt (Decca)
Salonen (CBS)

They all give me different insights into the music, and I really enjoy them all a great deal.
Do any other Sibelian CMGers share my feelings on this topic - i.e. there's not a recording they can't stand?

Has anyone got a ranking order of their top 3 or 5 choices in order? If so, can you explain what exactly makes this your absolute favourite recording?

Thanks
Martin

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:23 pm

^^ Martin, ironically, I only own two versions of Sib 5, and neither are on your list:

Blomstedt/ San Fransisco (Decca)
Jarvi/ Gothenburg (DG)

and I have to say, I love them both... though the Jarvi narrowly shades it for me..

nut-job · Post by **nut-job** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:32 pm

There are three that I regard very highly

Karajan/Berlin (1965, DG)
Maazel/Pittsburgh (Sony)
Jarvi/Gothenberg (BIS)

hangos · Post by **hangos** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:35 pm

Jared,
Thanks for that ...
I'd forgotten that I've got the Blomstedt too, and it is very majestic! I've never heard either Neeme Jarvi (BIS or DG recordings) but I bet they're very good
Martin

Wallingford · Post by **Wallingford** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:40 pm

This work has nearly unplumbable depths which may never be plumbed (at least in our lifetimes). The better ones from the stereo era, at least in my book, have never been reissued on CD: Ormandy 2 (on RCA) and Gibson (Polygram--first issued in the States through RCA).

There are also those astounding 78-era performances whose vitality still shines through the faded sonics: Koussevitzky and Kajanus.

But with all that said, I have yet to heaer a bad performance of the Fifth.

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:55 pm

Karajan/Philharmonia is my fav

nut-job · Post by **nut-job** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:58 pm

The Vanska recording of the original version is very interesting. Lots of elements in there that got radically reconceived in the final version, and its fascinating to hear Sibelius' first thoughts.

Post by **Lance** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:05 pm

Wallingford hits the nail on the head for me. Some transfers are better than others of these original 78s, which I have on LP and CD. Koussevitzky [Pearl CD or better yet the Naxos CD transfer] and Kajanus [Koch CD, or the World Records LP] were extraordinary in this music.

I am also partial to Jascha Horenstein's on BBC Legends, Kurt Sanderling's (a special bargain of all the symphonies on Brilliant Classics); a live Koussevitzky performance on AS Disc; Paul van Kempen on Tahra; Berglund/Bournemouth SO on Unesco Classics.

I am more partial to Sibelius's First and Second Symphonies. Cannot comment just now on why I think the above listed performances of No. 5 are outstanding since I have not heard them in a long time and the remarks would be off the cuff, which I would rather not do.

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:12 pm

I am currently listening to and enjoying the First & Third Symphonies: comparing and contrasting the different versions at my disposal but I haven't got to all of the versions of the Fifth yet. I think that the Sanderling/BSO is a very fine performance, that's the only one that I am familiar with.

hangos · Post by **hangos** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:03 pm

The Sanderling/BSO keeps being mentioned, I must investigate this .......................
I forgot to mention earlier that I recently downloaded Ormandy's 1954 Philadelphia recordings of Sibelius 4 & 5 - very impressive too!
Thanks for all your views - keep 'em coming!
Martin

hangos · Post by **hangos** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:05 pm

Wallingford wrote:This work has nearly unplumbable depths which may never be plumbed (at least in our lifetimes). The better ones from the stereo era, at least in my book, have never been reissued on CD: Ormandy 2 (on RCA) and Gibson (Polygram--first issued in the States through RCA).

There are also those astounding 78-era performances whose vitality still shines through the faded sonics: Koussevitzky and Kajanus.

But with all that said, I have yet to heaer a bad performance of the Fifth.

Wallingford, I totally agree with that sentiment! Is this symphony indestructible?

gfweis · Post by **gfweis** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:15 pm

I'd love to hear the Koussevitzky and the van Kempen that Lance mentions! Of the 6-7 recordings I've heard, I liked best the Jarvi/Gothenberg, mentioned by a couple of people already. I know I thought it trumped the Barbirolli/Halle, the Berglund/Helsinki Phil., the Blomstedt, and the Collins. As I recall, I disliked the Vanska (I got rid of his entire box, as I liked only one symphony in it, I think the 2nd).

DavidRoss · Post by **DavidRoss** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:24 pm

What!? No Bernstein!? I love 'em both, but the '60s recording with the NYPO takes pride of place--gorgeous winds, powerful but not excessively dramatic with a great middle movement and a bang up finish. Berglund with Bournemouth--similar interpretive qualities--and his HPO outing is great if a little ragged until let down by the brass. Blomstedt/SFS and Vänskä/Lahti, of course--leaner and with lovlier sound. Rozhdestvensky with the USSR TV & Radio Symphony is a thrill ride in an aircraft hanger. Segerstam's good but I might prefer his first with the Danes--like Bernstein's first, stirring but not overdone--this ain't a Romantic symphony, it's something brand new, precursor of minimalism with classical grace. Haven't heard either of Maazel's for awhile, but it was either his WP 5th or Bernstein's NYPO one that opened my heart to this symphony and made it my single most favorite piece of music in the entire repertoire.

It's such a great piece (it ought to be after years of revisions!) that it's rare to hear a bad recording--but Rattle's with the Philharmonia used to strike me as dull, dull, dull. Haven't played it in years but seeing it atop Martin's list inclines me toward giving it another go. It's time I give Sakari and the Icelanders another go, too--I really liked what I recall as their rough and raucous approach, but haven't heard this more than a couple of times so I'm not sure if I'm reading that into it or not!

edit: just listened to the Sakari 5th and I'm afraid my faulty memory indeed was projecting the qualities I generally like about the set into the 5th. It has moments, but for the most part I think is sluggish and diffuse, lacking the crispness of the better performances. In some of the other pieces in the set I think the somewhat ragged play actually works, especially coupled with the orchestra's enthusiasm for the pieces, but not in the 5th--for me, anyway.

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:34 pm

Depending on my mood at the time:

Davis Boston SO
Bernstein NYP
Koussevitsky Boston SO 1936

I did not care for the Vanska set much at all either.

hangos · Post by **hangos** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:36 pm

DavidRoss wrote:What!? No Bernstein!? I love 'em both, but the '60s recording with the NYPO takes pride of place--gorgeous winds, powerful but not excessively dramatic with a great middle movement and a bang up finish. Berglund with Bournemouth--similar interpretive qualities--and his HPO outing is great if a little ragged until let down by the brass. Blomstedt/SFS and Vänskä/Lahti, of course--leaner and with lovlier sound. Rozhdestvensky with the USSR TV & Radio Symphony is a thrill ride in an aircraft hanger. Segerstam's good but I might prefer his first with the Danes--like Bernstein's first, stirring but not overdone--this ain't a Romantic symphony, it's something brand new, precursor of minimalism with classical grace. Haven't heard either of Maazel's for awhile, but it was either his WP 5th or Bernstein's NYPO one that opened my heart to this symphony and made it my single most favorite piece of music in the entire repertoire.

It's such a great piece (it ought to be after years of revisions!) that it's rare to hear a bad recording--but Rattle's with the Philharmonia used to strike me as dull, dull, dull. Haven't played it in years but seeing it atop Martin's list inclines me toward giving it another go. It's time I give Sakari and the Icelanders another go, too--I really liked what I recall as their rough and raucous approach, but haven't heard this more than a couple of times so I'm not sure if I'm reading that into it or not!

David
I would agree that Rattle's first take on this symphony is slower and apparently duller than most others, but it is majestic - but I prefer his CBSO version hands down!
Sakari's version is excellent IMHO - quite icy and fresh (those woodwinds!!!!)
btw, my list is not in any particular order!
Your post made me realise that I had left Lenny (1960s) and Sakari off my original list ; I enjoy Lenny's take and don't find it at all overblown or Mahlerian (unlike Robert Layton!)

I also agree with you that this work is my supreme favourite symphony ; I used to play Sibelius only in cold weather, but now I listen to it all year round!

Martin

hangos · Post by **hangos** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:38 pm

Donaldopato wrote:Depending on my mood at the time:

Davis Boston SO
Bernstein NYP
Koussevitsky Boston SO 1936

I did not care for the Vanska set much at all either.

I like Vanska's Sibelius but I think it has been exagerratedly praised by many critics ; his no.2 is soporific in the first movement!
Martin

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:58 pm

I don't see the "head and shoulders above the rest" greatest recording on your list:

Bernstein/NYPO/CBS-sony, from 3/61 - one of Lenny's greatest efforts ever [the entire LB/NYPO Sibelius Symphony set is wonderful - but #5 is probably the star of the show.] magnificent performance.

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:02 pm

Wallingford wrote:This work has nearly unplumbable depths which may never be plumbed (at least in our lifetimes). [/quiote]

Bernstein/NYPO plumbed it to the very bottom to the top.

But with all that said, I have yet to heaer a bad performance of the Fifth.

I've heard lots of terrible ones, where the closing pages are so badly muddled, and the leading lines so horribly covered amd obscured that the continuity is gone...

the trumpets and trombones prevail - that's where the action is....Bernstein/NYPO gets it perfect - sonic spectacular, quite overwhelming...
I heard a live broadcast, years ago, with Salonen/LAPO, which approached this level...but no others.

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:58 pm

hangos wrote:
Donaldopato wrote:Depending on my mood at the time:

Davis Boston SO
Bernstein NYP
Koussevitsky Boston SO 1936

I did not care for the Vanska set much at all either.
I like Vanska's Sibelius but I think it has been exagerratedly praised by many critics ; his no.2 is soporific in the first movement!
Martin

Maybe that is the issue, it is over rated. I found Vanska's set ok for sure, but not the magnificent revelation that some said it was. It was interesting, however, to hear the original version of the 5th compared with the final.

DavidRoss · Post by **DavidRoss** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 8:06 pm

Donaldopato wrote:
hangos wrote:
Donaldopato wrote:Depending on my mood at the time:

Davis Boston SO
Bernstein NYP
Koussevitsky Boston SO 1936

I did not care for the Vanska set much at all either.
I like Vanska's Sibelius but I think it has been exagerratedly praised by many critics ; his no.2 is soporific in the first movement!
Martin
Maybe that is the issue, it is over rated. I found Vanska's set ok for sure, but not the magnificent revelation that some said it was. It was interesting, however, to hear the original version of the 5th compared with the final.

Over-rated? Vänskä? Hardly! On the other hand, Davis's BSO set is highly over-rated, in that British critics have lauded it for decades as the best, when even at the time of its release it was already bettered in virtually every respect by the recent cycles of Bernstein/NYPO, Maazel/WP, and Berglund/Bournemouth, and since its release there have been at least a dozen others of equal or better quality.

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 8:54 pm

I know many do not like it, but I have always enjoyed the Davis BSO Sibelius, especially the searing 5th and powerful 7th.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 8:56 pm

Wallingford wrote:But with all that said, I have yet to heaer a bad performance of the Fifth.

Most people taking the Fifth do it so they don't have to perform...

Wallingford · Post by **Wallingford** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 9:29 pm

One big mystery, at least to my mind:

How come BEECHAM never performed it? He might've in his younger years, but could it be he found it overplayed (or perhaps, overrated)? This didn't keep him from doing the Second on a pretty regular basis. Still, he had to have felt the Fourth, Sixth & Seventh could use some extra championing--he left recordings of these.

Beecham also never did the tonepoem Pohjola's Daughter during the era of electronic recording....unless surviving programs can prove me wrong.

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 12:50 am

My recordings are by Bernstein, Davis, Blomstedt and Karajan. They're all good, just in different ways. This is a symphony of which I've never heard a really poor performance. The nice, lean orchestration allows the symphony to unfold its ideas easily.

Tschüß!
Jack

dirkronk · Post by **dirkronk** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:41 am

A few months ago, I started listening to the assorted performances of Sibelius that I'd amassed both on LP and CD, but got interrupted and haven't reached any real conclusions. In general, I still like Rozhdestvensky's Sibelius cycle (on Melodiya LP) more than any other--while I still feel lukewarm at best about Davis/BSO and give Karajan's DGG cycle a miss altogether (dunno, they just never did it for me). I acquired Jarvi last year but haven't heard it enough to evaluate it properly--and most of Davis's later cycle on RCA sort of fell into my lap just a couple of weeks ago (hey, a buck per CD at a library sale...how could I pass 'em up?), but I haven't listened to the 5th in that set yet. In short, I feel unfit to pass pronouncements on the 5ths offered by any of these folks.

However, I've always kept Karajan's Philharmonia 5th around. I won't pretend to be so conversant with this music that I understand "how it should go" but, to my ears at least, ol' Herbie the K did good on this earlier recording. So much so that it's earned permanent safe harbor on my overflowing collection shelves even after multiple purges over the past 20-some-odd years. FWIW, then.

Dirk

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:22 am

Heck148 wrote:I don't see the "head and shoulders above the rest" greatest recording on your list:

Bernstein/NYPO/CBS-sony, from 3/61 - one of Lenny's greatest efforts ever [the entire LB/NYPO Sibelius Symphony set is wonderful - but #5 is probably the star of the show.] magnificent performance.

Second the motion!

Wallingford · Post by **Wallingford** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:29 am

Bernstein's? Very nice....nothing exceptional.

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:13 pm

Wallingford wrote:Bernstein's? Very nice....nothing exceptional.

with NYPO?? nice?? it's tremendous - Lenny's sense of balance, and brining out the important lines is flawless...he gets the accelerando into the end of part i[actually mvt II] just right, it really explodes with energy.
the finale is amazing - what a sound - the orchestra playing throughout is stellar, really substantially suerior to any others I've heard...

hangos · Post by **hangos** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:20 pm

Heck148 wrote:
Wallingford wrote:Bernstein's? Very nice....nothing exceptional.
with NYPO?? nice?? it's tremendous - Lenny's sense of balance, and brining out the important lines is flawless...he gets the accelerando into the end of part i[actually mvt II] just right, it really explodes with energy.
the finale is amazing - what a sound - the orchestra playing throughout is stellar, really substantially suerior to any others I've heard...

I agree with you that it's a great performance, and as you're a performing musician yourself, you know what you're talking about in terms of orchestral sound ..... but have you heard Tauno Hannikainen's 1963 perfomance on Seraphim? Playing is a bit crude and ragged at times, but the performance reminds me a lot of Bernstein's NYPO - exhilarating! (The oppo
site of Rattle's first recording!

Martin

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:05 pm

hangos wrote: but have you heard Tauno Hannikainen's 1963 perfomance on Seraphim? Playing is a bit crude and ragged at times, but the performance reminds me a lot of Bernstein's NYPO - exhilarating! (The opposite of Rattle's first recording!

I've not heard that one. many of the Finnish orchestras during that time were pretty ragged sounding...

Kamu's Syms 1,3 recording is like that - lots of passion, expression, but the playing is pretty ratty.

John F · Post by **John F** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:42 pm

Alexander Gibson's recording with the London Symphony on RCA Victor remains a favorite, and I see that Wallingford knows about it too. Gibson's remake with the Scottish National Orchestra was a disappointment for me. Now there's a conductor who's already pretty much forgotten, outside Scotland anyway.

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:52 pm

John F wrote:Alexander Gibson's recording with the London Symphony on RCA Victor remains a favorite,

That is a good one....Gibson also recorded a fine Karelia Overture, which is far and away superior to Vanska's more recent soporific, wimpy rendition.

hangos · Post by **hangos** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:09 pm

Heck148 wrote:
John F wrote:Alexander Gibson's recording with the London Symphony on RCA Victor remains a favorite,
That is a good one....Gibson also recorded a fine Karelia Overture, which is far and away superior to Vanska's more recent soporific, wimpy rendition.

I've not heard Gibson's RCA 5th, but I do like his Chandos SNO 5th a lot - how do you rate it?
Martin

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:12 pm

Wallingford wrote:This work has nearly unplumbable depths which may never be plumbed (at least in our lifetimes). The better ones from the stereo era, at least in my book, have never been reissued on CD: Ormandy 2 (on RCA) and Gibson (Polygram--first issued in the States through RCA).

There are also those astounding 78-era performances whose vitality still shines through the faded sonics: Koussevitzky and Kajanus.

But with all that said, I have yet to heaer a bad performance of the Fifth.

The Ormandy RCA 5th is now available as an ArchivCD from Archivmusic.com. I remember hearing it on vinyl and thought it quite good. I may need to add this to my collection.

Wallingford · Post by **Wallingford** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:22 am

Donaldopato wrote: The Ormandy RCA 5th is now available as an ArchivCD from Archivmusic.com. I remember hearing it on vinyl and thought it quite good. I may need to add this to my collection.

I don't believe anyone could milk those pregnant pauses between the final six chords the way Ormandy did in that one.....you can practically feel his baton slicing through the air on every beat.

val · Post by **val** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:10 am

I prefer Colin Davis with Boston, with an ideal balance and a splendid orchestra.

Karajan with the BPO is more massive, but sometimes very impressive (in special the exposition of the first movement).

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:34 am

Seán wrote:I am currently listening to and enjoying the First & Third Symphonies: comparing and contrasting the different versions at my disposal but I haven't got to all of the versions of the Fifth yet. I think that the Sanderling/BSO is a very fine performance, that's the only one that I am familiar with.

I think I saw Seán post a pic of the cover from this set and it is a Brilliant Classics issue. Question for those in the know: I assume these are the same performances from K. Sanderling/BSO as issued on the Berlin Classics label?

John F · Post by **John F** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:00 am

Wallingford wrote:I don't believe anyone could milk those pregnant pauses between the final six chords the way Ormandy did in that one.....you can practically feel his baton slicing through the air on every beat.

Except that he didn't use a baton...

Jack Kelso · Post by **Jack Kelso** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:12 am

John F wrote:
Wallingford wrote:I don't believe anyone could milk those pregnant pauses between the final six chords the way Ormandy did in that one.....you can practically feel his baton slicing through the air on every beat.
Except that he didn't use a baton...

What? Not ever? I saw him conduct once in Los Angeles and I was SURE he had one. I remember he had quite a pronounced limp---from what I do not know....

Tschüß!
Jack

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:28 am

Jack Kelso wrote:
John F wrote:
Wallingford wrote:I don't believe anyone could milk those pregnant pauses between the final six chords the way Ormandy did in that one.....you can practically feel his baton slicing through the air on every beat.
Except that he didn't use a baton...
What? Not ever? I saw him conduct once in Los Angeles and I was SURE he had one. I remember he had quite a pronounced limp---from what I do not know....

Tschüß!
Jack

From what I remember reading in a biography, he had chronic hip problems from way back, probably not helped by the long standing he had to do. I think he had a hip replacement later in life as well.

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:20 am

Ormandy was using a baton during concerts that I attended in the Academy of Music during the 1960's. He started his career without one, because he had difficulty holding the baton, but had an operation to correct the problem, IIRC. I know that's vague, someone here should remember better than I.

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:52 pm

Donaldopato wrote:
Seán wrote:I am currently listening to and enjoying the First & Third Symphonies: comparing and contrasting the different versions at my disposal but I haven't got to all of the versions of the Fifth yet. I think that the Sanderling/BSO is a very fine performance, that's the only one that I am familiar with.

I think I saw Seán post a pic of the cover from this set and it is a Brilliant Classics issue. Question for those in the know: I assume these are the same performances from K. Sanderling/BSO as issued on the Berlin Classics label?

On the back of the CD covers it states that the CDs are "Licensed from Edel Classics Gmbh"

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:21 pm

Seán wrote:
Donaldopato wrote:
Seán wrote:I am currently listening to and enjoying the First & Third Symphonies: comparing and contrasting the different versions at my disposal but I haven't got to all of the versions of the Fifth yet. I think that the Sanderling/BSO is a very fine performance, that's the only one that I am familiar with.

I think I saw Seán post a pic of the cover from this set and it is a Brilliant Classics issue. Question for those in the know: I assume these are the same performances from K. Sanderling/BSO as issued on the Berlin Classics label?
On the back of the CD covers it states that the CDs are "Licensed from Edel Classics Gmbh"

Must be then, as my Berlin Classics discs are labeled "Copyright Edel Classics..."

Thanks!

AntonioA · Post by **AntonioA** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:06 pm

Wonderful sympony! I have the Kajanus (world records), Ormandy (Columbia), Collins (Decca) and the first Karajan (Angel). Collins recording is the one I listen to most without being able to decide which I really prefer.

Wallingford · Post by **Wallingford** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:58 pm

Another good pre-LP era performance: ARTUR RODZINSKI with the Cleveland Orchestra.

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:01 pm

There are a handful of performances Ormandy led with the Philadelphia during the 70s that are available on DVD (Pictures at an Exhibition, Planets, La Mer, Scheherazade, and some Tchaikovsky), and he was using a baton in all of them.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:47 pm

Barry wrote:There are a handful of performances Ormandy led with the Philadelphia during the 70s that are available on DVD (Pictures and an Exhibition, Planets, La Mer, Scheherazade, and some Tchaikovsky), and he was using a baton in all of them.

They are great DVD's, well worth looking into, and wonderful to watch this Master Meastro at work...

hangos · Post by **hangos** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 12:34 am

First of all, a big thank you to all of you who have posted on this thread - it has been fascinating to see such a divergence of opinion!
Secondly, does anyone out there rate Jukka-Pekka Saraste's Sibelius 2 and 5 with the FRSO on Apex Warner as highly as I do?
Martin

rwetmore · Post by **rwetmore** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:24 pm

I recently the got the much acclaimed Davis/BSO recording on Pentatone SACD. I haven't heard that many recordings, but this one strikes me as just being fairly good - nothing really special here. Am I missing something?

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:26 pm

rwetmore wrote:I recently the got the much acclaimed Davis/BSO recording on Pentatone SACD. I haven't heard that many recordings, but this one strikes me as just being fairly good - nothing really special here. Am I missing something?

If that's the same one that was released on Philips years ago, then I don't think you are. I bought it a few years back and was surprisingly underwhelmed, given that set's reputation.

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