The Nielsen Nexus

[Sergeant Rock]

But the Bostock substitutes instruments for the soli voices, yes, Sarge? (A bit strange that I've not yet visited the symphonies in this box.)

Yes and no. He gives both versions. The instrumental version is included after the last movement as a supplement and bonus.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Yes and no. He gives both versions. The instrumental version is included after the last movement as a supplement and bonus.

Sarge

Perfect! For I am curious to hear the senza voci version, and yet, felt that taking away the voices was robbery . . . . : )

[DavidRoss]

A contrarian note: I like Blomstedt's 3rd and prefer it and Salonen's to Bernstein's. Lenny's much too pumped up for my tastes.

And I like Schønwandt's, too. Perhaps there's a reason "the crowd of experienced Nordic music professionals gathered at the offices of Denmark’s state broadcaster" disagreed with the Englishman Mellor's assessment, along with his friend "Mats Engström (who has actually played the piece)" -- they're Scandinavians, like Nielsen, Schønwandt, and Blomstedt (despite his American birth). What might seem underplayed to some could well seem excessive to Scandinavian sensibilities. (Fair disclosure, FWIW: one of my grandparents was Swedish, another a Dane. ;^) ).

[Sergeant Rock]

A contrarian note: I like Blomstedt's 3rd and prefer it and Salonen's to Bernstein's. Lenny's much too pumped up for my tastes.

Why am I not surprised?

Edit: although now that I think about it, you're really not a contrarian here, David. Lenny's Espansiva isn't mentioned often by anyone but me. The author of the article ignores it. Most of the comments ignore it. In this forum Karl has spoken disparagingly of it. If I didn't know better, I would think Blomstedt is the only conductor who's done decent Nielsen in that it's so often mentioned as the best with little disagreement. You are firmly with the majority. (For the record: I like his 1, 2, and 6; 4 & 5, not so much; and really dislike 3).

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Oh, gosh, have I heard and disparaged Lenny's Espansiva, and I forgot? Eek.

[Sergeant Rock]

Oh, gosh, have I heard and disparaged Lenny's Espansiva

Alas, yes    You didn't like it from the get go, literally  : you thought the opening chords sloppily played, not in unison.

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

Bought this one today:

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Looks like this will be a promising Nielsen series. We need another cycle. I agree with Gilbert when he said "Nielsen isn't a household name, but should be."

[DavidRoss]

Now released as a set including other orchestral music, this is a steal!

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[DavidRoss]

And this is none too shabby!

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[Scarpia]

The one item I did receive in the i-Deals incident was Vanska's Nielsen cycle.  I had no idea it existed.

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For some reason, the Amazon listing seems incomplete and gets lost in searches.  It looks like this:



Most of it is with the BBC, but it strikes me as being very similar in character to the Vanska Sibelus cycle.  So far I've listened to the recording of the 1st symphony, and found it very satisfying.

[Brahmsian]

All Maiden Monday Listens! (works and recordings)

Nielsen

Aladdin Suite
Symphonic Rhapsody
Overture "Helios", Op. 17
Cupid and the Poet: Orchestral Suite
Paraphrase on "Nearer, My God, To Thee"
Andante Tranquillo E Scherzo for String Orchestra

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

*Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
Pan and Syrinx, Op. 49
Suite for String Orchestra, Op. 1
At The Bier of A Young Artist
Bohemian-Danish Folk Songs

Rune Most, flute

Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice

Douglas Bostock, conducting

Membran Music

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Impressions:  Outstanding.  I'm floored!  Terrific music.  And I was shocked by the loud crash about 3 minutes in "Paraphrase on 'Nearer, My God, To Thee'" 

[Karl Henning]

Outstanding, Ray!

[Karl Henning]

Cor, and you're reminding me, Ray, that I've not yet listened to the symphonies from that Bostock box . . . .

[Brahmsian]

Based on my recent interest in Nielsen's music, can someone send forth recommendations for Nielsen's complete string quartets?

Merci bien!

[Karl Henning]

Based on my recent interest in Nielsen's music, can someone send forth recommendations for Nielsen's complete string quartets?

Merci bien!

Included in this table-pounder:

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[Brahmsian]

Included in this table-pounder:

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Fast work, Karl.  Many thanks! 

[calyptorhynchus]

I'm looking for a recommendation for a CD or two of Nielsen's songs. What is the best recital (in terms of which songs and best singing) available? NB must have the lyrics and translations.

[snyprrr]

Based on my recent interest in Nielsen's music, can someone send forth recommendations for Nielsen's complete string quartets?

Merci bien!

Too late?

Frankly, the last one is the only one that does anything for me really. Why not just start with the Oslo SQ (Naxos) Vol.1,... otherwise,... get Vol.2 also!!! So,... I'm saying the Oslo SQ is the way to go... I'd pick up their Naxos of 'Norwegian String Quartets' too, which I do like better than the Nielsen (Nielsen just sounds like Haydn to me here... no offence, he just straddles that place between conservative/modern with a nod to the conservative (he's not Janacek here!!).

[Karl Henning]

Well, he needn't be Janáček, of course.

And as far as I am concerned, likening him to Haydn is essentially praise.

[snyprrr]

Well, he needn't be Janáček, of course.

And as far as I am concerned, likening him to Haydn is essentially praise.

I kneeew you would!