Tweekerman, If you haven't already done so you should try Bergland and the COE as well as Vanska. I wasn't as fond of the Bergland/Helsinki as you so I had to be dragged to listen to the COE versions. These and Vanska are my current favorite contemporary sets of all of the Symphonies. I think you recommended the Sanderling set which I purchased about 6 months ago - it is, IMHO, the best economy set you can buy. It is now on Brilliant at less than $15 for the set! However, if your talking the 4th only, and you like it to feel like cold wind out of the artic, you should try Von K on DG or a personal fav of mine, Levine on DG. But before you waste your time I would point out that I don't consider Sibelius a romantic composer, so if you like Barbirolli you may not care much for these last recommendations.
Sibelius Sym/Sakari/IcelandSO/Recommendation
Finnish conductor Petri Sakari has conducted all 7 Sibelius sym's with the very highly talented Iceland S.O. Just listen to the opening to sym #4, that alone is worth the purchase. That same fine conducting, orchestral and soloist performance is throughout the entire 7 symphonies. Upon some comparisions of Barbirolli (second recording), Segerstam, Sanderling, I found the Halle with Barbirolli to offer great enjoyment. Barbirolli's recording I would describe as "mystical" in nature, not to be fully comprehended no matter how many times you listen to them, always something unique to hear, again due to the high talents of the soloists. The 1960's Halle must have had well seasoned "old-timers" from the Halle's early days. With the Barbirolli set you get various other well performed incidential music, tone poems, all a must to own as well. Onto Sakari/Iceland's recording. Sakari's tempo brings an exciting vitaltiy to these symphonies, and the Iceland does not let him down, with a sense of organic unity and intergration. With this Naxos set you get the Tempest 1&2, as well an excellent recording of the Kullervo with Panula/Turka P.O. On the Sakari/Iceland recording on Chandos of Pohjola's Daughter and Ensaga, there is some problems here. Barbirolli's Pohjola is again a must to hear. I place both recordings in the "must-have" category.