Ah, Sibelius, a truly wonderous composer with his own unique style. Well worth exploring both his symphonies and tone poems.
Rattle recorded a symphony cyle on EMI in the mid-1980s when he was with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. I have not heard his later offering with the Berliners. I am tempted by it because it is (I think) live and on vinyl.
A review of this issuance on Music Web observes: "
It comes as no surprise that this most beautifully played cycle by the Berliner Philharmoniker under Sir Simon Rattle overflows with humanity. Yet compared to the best of the competition the performances feel intensely rehearsed in a short space of time and wrapped in a rigid structural integrity. There is no real awareness of living with these works for any length of time. That valuable element of spontaneity is essentially absent as is often the icy chill and sensation of awe. Nevertheless these are expansive live performances that have a consistency of sound being cool, clear and well balanced. ...]."
There are quite a few Sibelius cycles published over the years. I have many of them. Lots to explore. Barbarolli, Colin Davis, Maazel, Berglund. If you want to 'discover' Sibelius I might suggest von Karajan's mid-60s cycle with Okku Kamu conducting the first three. Plenty of minty box sets available on
Discogs ~$50. There are other choices, but this one is fine as an introduction.
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Attached is the somewhat famous Sibeliusaurus survey. One guy's opinions but quite thorough. I agree with some of what he says. A good read.