The Nielsen Nexus

[SymphonicAddict]

I'm amazed that there are 41 pages (so far) focusing on Nielsen's works!!!!!! Astounding! I had no idea that he had such a following here at GMG! 

They should be more for this fascinating composer, though 

[North Star]

They should be more for this fascinating composer, though 

But there are - 51 instead of 41

[Mirror Image]

I'm amazed that there are 51 pages (so far) focusing on Nielsen's works!!!!!! Astounding! I had no idea that he had such a following here at GMG! 

Oh yes, consider me a hardcore Nielsen junkie and there are several of us here. I take it you're a fan, Peter? Any favorite works?

[Moonfish]

But there are - 51 instead of 41

Errr, I only see 41 - an inside joke?   

[Moonfish]

Oh yes, consider me a hardcore Nielsen junkie and there are several of us here. I take it you're a fan, Peter? Any favorite works?

Mmm, the symphonies (esp 1, 2 and 4) and Helios Overture, but I'm not a Nielsen junkie (yet). I have had my eyes on the quartets for a while.....     

[Karl Henning]

Errr, I only see 41 - an inside joke? 

Maybe the pagination differs, depending on how/whence one views the forum?


(Here on my desktop, my post has just started off p.52....)

[Mirror Image]

Mmm, the symphonies (esp 1, 2 and 4) and Helios Overture, but I'm not a Nielsen junkie (yet). I have had my eyes on the quartets for a while.....     

No love for the 3rd or 5th symphonies? Nielsen's SQs are 'okay' --- nothing really special. The best chamber work he wrote is the Wind Quintet, although I do like his Violin Sonata No. 2 a good bit.

[Mirror Image]

Maybe the pagination differs, depending on how/whence one views the forum?


(Here on my desktop, my post has just started off p.52....)

Yep, we're now up to 52 pages, which is cool.

[North Star]

Errr, I only see 41 - an inside joke?   

Well it's your own fault if you change the settings so that you view 25 posts, instead of the default 20, per page..

[Mirror Image]

Frankly, I'm tired of hearing about all this number of pages stuff...let's get back to the composer, shall we?

[Karl Henning]

I think practically all the chamber music expert.

http://www.youtube.com/v/vygYLDuJtP8

[Moonfish]

Well it's your own fault if you change the settings so that you view 25 posts, instead of the default 20, per page..

Ooops, I didn't even know. He he! 

Which Nielsen works do you enjoy, North Star?

[Karl Henning]

http://www.youtube.com/v/AyLKnPoIZQM

[Mirror Image]

Peter, you've got to to give the 3rd, 5th, and 6th symphonies some more of your time. I threw in the 6th because I believe it's one of his finest symphonies. The 1st, 2nd, and 4th are actually my least favorite of the symphonic cycle. Also, check out the concerti. The Clarinet Concerto and the Flute Concerto are, to be quite blunt, extraordinary. The Violin Concerto is quite good, too, but is a bit more 'traditional' sounding, but it has an interesting structure and I absolutely adore the last movement --- such fun!

[Moonfish]

Peter, you've got to to give the 3rd, 5th, and 6th symphonies some more of your time. I threw in the 6th because I believe it's one of his finest symphonies. The 1st, 2nd, and 4th are actually my least favorite of the symphonic cycle. Also, check out the concerti. The Clarinet Concerto and the Flute Concerto are, to be quite blunt, extraordinary. The Violin Concerto is quite good, too, but is a bit more 'traditional' sounding, but it has an interesting structure and I absolutely adore the last movement --- such fun!

So much to explore... 

[Mirror Image]

So much to explore... 

I know the feeling, but if Nielsen's 3rd or 5th don't do anything for you, then I'll have to just say you're not a fan of his music. That's how confident I am that you'll enjoy both of these symphonies immensely if you give them a chance. These are two pinnacle works of his oeuvre. If you don't feel a musical lightning bolt hit you in the last movement of the 5th, then I'm going to wonder if we're even listening to the same composer. Bernstein is your man in both of these symphonies. It doesn't get any better, IMHO.

[North Star]

Ooops, I didn't even know. He he! 

Which Nielsen works do you enjoy, North Star?

The symphonies, and concertos, Rhapsody Overture, Helios Overture, Wind Quintet, Serenata in vano, Chaconne Op. 32, Theme and Variations Op. 40, Piano Suite 'Luciferian' Op. 45, Three Piano Pieces Op. 59. I'm sure there are some others too..

[Madiel]

I know the feeling, but if Nielsen's 3rd or 5th don't do anything for you, then I'll have to just say you're not a fan of his music.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

Here's a question for the other Nielsenites here, how's Douglas Bostock's cycle? I've read some mixed reviews on his set. Some enjoy it, some say it's underpowered, some complain about the audio quality, etc., so what's the lowdown? Recommended?

Has anyone chimed in on this yet? It's one of the cycles I don't have, so I can't speak to it... but I, too, would be interested what people thought its merits might be. (My favorites are Schmidt and Gilbert, at this point... although I suspect that Gilbert treats Nielsen a bit like Colin Davis did Sibelius in Boston.)

[Karl Henning]

I find at all right, unexceptional.  My opinion is, that one needn't go out of one's way for it.