Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
Thanks for this review; you've described Nielsen's music vividly. I think it's great that you're making more people aware of this great music (I say this as someone who has virtually every set of Nielsen symphonies ever recorded). I love the way Nielsen moves organically from moments of great drama and power to other moments of serene, pastoral beauty. I love the deep, yearning sadness of his music, the fresh beauty and thrilling grandeur of his sonic landscapes, the mystery and the mysticism, and the power of the rhythms.
The 5th should be next on your list, if I may offer a recommendation. Rozhdestvensky on Chandos, with the Stockholm symphony, is my favorite, and in fact I think his entire set is really the most consistently good, despite often-seen recommendations for Blomstedt or other conductors. (He also does the finest 3rd I've heard so far). Aside from complete sets, there are many fine versions of the "Inextinguishable" too. Jarvi on DGG is one; Karajan, despite slightly disappointing early digital sound, is another. He recorded only that one Nielsen symphony, but his unique conducting skills and orchestral sound make it an outstanding one.
Best regards