The Nielsen Nexus

[71 dB]

Now symphony 2. Is this Nielsen? Sounds like Brahms with some Nielsenian decorations! I needed this to come to my senses? WTF? People, come to your senses yourself and get Leaper. At least It SOUNDS like Nielsen should. Scandinavian and Nordic.

Perhaps the later symphonies sound less Brahmsian on Blomstedt's hands? 

The orchestra sounds so distant! They are somewhere 50 meters away! Thanks to the reverberation we can hear something.

[Karl Henning]

I am enjoying the fact that Blomstedt is inspiring such a passionate response, Poju     I remember none of these problems with the Blomstedt set, so I need to give them a fresh spin.  You already know that I have not yet heard the Leaper, so I cannot speak to the comparison.  (I have ordered the Leaper, but delivery is looking like late May.)

[71 dB]

The third. Now Blomsdedt is entering the sound of Nielsen at last! This is too modern music to be made sound Brahms. Mayde the 4-6 set is much better for this reason and of course the seller canceled the wrong set! However, I want to hear the another set on Spotify before getting it.

Symphonies 1-2 are disappointing at Blomdstedt's hands, but the third sounds at least decent. Even the orchestra sounds to be nearer or am I just imagining it?

I could do as I have: Live with Leaper. That has worked well for me. I could also check out Kuchar in case it is a revelation. Anyway, Nielsen's symphonies became a problem for me... ...I should have kept my mind and just stick with the cycle I have and that's it.

[Karl Henning]

Well, you know, nothing has taken away the cycle you've got.  And perhaps on this initial hearing of the Blomstedt, all the differences seem exaggerated.  With the really great music, there is seldom only one way to do it.

So come back to it after an interval.  Maybe the second time, it won't seem so unendurable   

I am glad that the Espansiva struck you better.

[71 dB]

I am enjoying the fact that Blomstedt is inspiring such a passionate response, Poju     I remember none of these problems with the Blomstedt set, so I need to give them a fresh spin.  You already know that I have not yet heard the Leaper, so I cannot speak to the comparison.  (I have ordered the Leaper, but delivery is looking like late May.)

My apologies if you end up not liking Leaper (as we all have our preferences) and wasted your money on them (cheap discs yes, but money nevertheless that could have been invested on other things). Of course, there are chances you are pleasantly surprised by Leaper. These things re near-impossible to predict.

Well, you know, nothing has taken away the cycle you've got.  And perhaps on this initial hearing of the Blomstedt, all the differences seem exaggerated.  With the really great music, there is seldom only one way to do it.

So come back to it after an interval.  Maybe the second time, it won't seem so unendurable   

I am glad that the Espansiva struck you better.

Yes, these are my initial reactions and may change a lot with time. Now listening to Maskarade Overture and it sounds pretty good. 

[Florestan]

I've started exploring this set:



CD 1-4 Symphonies Nos. 1-6 - Aladdin Suite - Symphonic Rhapsody - Overture
"Helios" - Cupid and the Poet: Orchestral Suite - Paraphase on "Nearer, my God, to Thee"
Eva Hess-Thaysen (soprano), Jan Lund (tenor), Nicholas Cox (clarinet), Kevin Price
(trombone), Graham Johns (side drum), Jonathan Aasgaard (cello), Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Orchestra, Douglas Bostock (1999-2001, 2003)

CD 5 Flute Concerto - Pan and Syrinx - Works for String Orchestra
Rune Most (flute), The Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice, Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Orchestra, Douglas Bostock (2001, 2005)

CD 6 Violin Concerto - Romance for Violin and Orchestra - Violin Sonata No. 1
Malcolm Stewart (violin), Johannes Søe Hansen (violin), Frank Jarlsfelt (piano),
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Douglas Bostock (1994, 2003)

CD 7 Clarinet Concerto - Wind Quintet - Serenata in vano
John Kruse (clarinet), Cecile Boiffin (side drum), Scandinavian Chamber Players,
The Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice, Douglas Bostock (1996)

CD 8+9 Five Piano Pieces - Symphonic Suite - Humoresque Bagatelles - Festive
Prelude - Drømmen om "Glade Jul" (The Dream of "Silent Night") - Chaconne - Theme
With Variations - Suite - Three Piano Pieces - Piano Music for Children and Adults
Anne Øland (piano) (1992-1993)

CD 10 Music Set to Five Poems by J. P. Jacobsen - Six Songs Set to Texts by Ludvig
Holstein and other lieder
Ulrik Cold (bass), Johannes Mikkelsen (piano) (1980, 1982)

I don't know how good it is or how it does compare wirth other performances, and frankly I don't even care. I simply love some first listens such as the Flute Concerto, the Violin Concerto, the Violin Sonata No. 1 and the Wind Quintet (which is playing right now). This is certainly the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 

[Karl Henning]

My apologies if you end up not liking Leaper (as we all have our preferences) and wasted your money on them (cheap discs yes, but money nevertheless that could have been invested on other things). Of course, there are chances you are pleasantly surprised by Leaper. These things re near-impossible to predict.

Very true;  We cannot tell with any accuracy how the other chap's ears will hear it!

[Karl Henning]

I've started exploring this set:



CD 1-4 Symphonies Nos. 1-6 - Aladdin Suite - Symphonic Rhapsody - Overture
"Helios" - Cupid and the Poet: Orchestral Suite - Paraphase on "Nearer, my God, to Thee"
Eva Hess-Thaysen (soprano), Jan Lund (tenor), Nicholas Cox (clarinet), Kevin Price
(trombone), Graham Johns (side drum), Jonathan Aasgaard (cello), Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Orchestra, Douglas Bostock (1999-2001, 2003)

CD 5 Flute Concerto - Pan and Syrinx - Works for String Orchestra
Rune Most (flute), The Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice, Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Orchestra, Douglas Bostock (2001, 2005)

CD 6 Violin Concerto - Romance for Violin and Orchestra - Violin Sonata No. 1
Malcolm Stewart (violin), Johannes Søe Hansen (violin), Frank Jarlsfelt (piano),
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Douglas Bostock (1994, 2003)

CD 7 Clarinet Concerto - Wind Quintet - Serenata in vano
John Kruse (clarinet), Cecile Boiffin (side drum), Scandinavian Chamber Players,
The Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice, Douglas Bostock (1996)

CD 8+9 Five Piano Pieces - Symphonic Suite - Humoresque Bagatelles - Festive
Prelude - Drømmen om "Glade Jul" (The Dream of "Silent Night") - Chaconne - Theme
With Variations - Suite - Three Piano Pieces - Piano Music for Children and Adults
Anne Øland (piano) (1992-1993)

CD 10 Music Set to Five Poems by J. P. Jacobsen - Six Songs Set to Texts by Ludvig
Holstein and other lieder
Ulrik Cold (bass), Johannes Mikkelsen (piano) (1980, 1982)

I don't know how good it is or how it does compare wirth other performances, and frankly I don't even care. I simply love some first listens such as the Flute Concerto, the Violin Concerto, the Violin Sonata No. 1 and the Wind Quintet (which is playing right now). This is certainly the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 

The best of that box (and practically none of it is bad) is mighty fine, indeed!

[amw]

To be fair I also am not sure Blomstedt is at his strongest in Nos. 1 and 2—1 is driven too hard, 2 is over-romanticised, to my ears. 4, 5 and 6 are where I like him the most. YMMV.

I didn't know Leaper was a thing. I am listening to his No. 1 on Spotify at the moment and it is bringing Schønwandt to mind for some reason but I can't put into words why. Maybe that somewhat classicised interpretation or maybe just because the volume needs to be turned up a lot. I feel like I should be way more articulate about this considering the number of Nielsen cycles I have heard, but apparently not.

[71 dB]

Wow! Aladdin Suite is absolutely fantastic on this twofer!!      Oh my god how good it is!! I did not buy this for nothing after all! I bought it for Alladin Suite! I am in complete extasy! I have this suite on Naxos, but it doesn't work for me. This Does! Blomstedt is completely one with this work! Just unbelievevable! 

[amw]

1 - Oramo
2 - Schønwandt
3 - Chung, Bernstein
4 - Blomstedt, Menuhin
5 - Blomstedt, Bernstein, Kondrashin
6 - Oramo, Schønwandt

Of course I was gonna forget my favourite version of the 4th.

[Karl Henning]

Wow! Aladdin Suite is absolutely fantastic on this twofer!!  Oh my god how good it is!! I did not buy this for nothing after all! I bought it for Alladin Suite!

Ah, I forgot that the Aladdin Suite is on that two-fer; yes, outstanding!

[Mirror Image]

As I've stated before, Blomstedt does well in the 1st, 2nd, and the 4th-6th. I recall no issues that 71 dB is having with the audio quality. Decca's audio is quite fine and detailed. And, thankfully, the performances are so fine that if someone does have an issue with the audio quality that this is easily overlooked (not that I've ever read such criticism about it anyway).

[71 dB]

Ah, I forgot that the Aladdin Suite is on that two-fer; yes, outstanding!

If the Alladin Suite is an indiction of how Blomstedt does with 4-6 then the other twofer is a must.
The sonics of this twofer is very uneven. Alladin Suite has got the most pleasant sound and disc one is much less convincing. I wonder how the other twofer is, but now I have a reason to sample it on Spotify, because it can be fantastic. Maybe the Brahmsian feel only plagues symphonies 1-2 on Blomstedt's hands? I hope so. At least Alladin Suite is too oriental to contain any kind of Brahmsian feel.

I am not a Brahms hater mind you. It's just that I want to hear Brahms only in Brahms and Nielsen in Nielsen. 

As I've stated before, Blomstedt does well in the 1st, 2nd, and the 4th-6th. I recall no issues that 71 dB is having with the audio quality. Decca's audio is quite fine and detailed. And, thankfully, the performances are so fine that if someone does have an issue with the audio quality that this is easily overlooked (not that I've ever read such criticism about it anyway).

Generally I am not a fan of "Decca sound". It doesn't feel balanced and it contains often a lot spatial distortion. Alladin Suite on the twofer has got a very nice sound, so even Decca gets it right from time to time. As for symphonies 1 and 2, I don't know if they should sound so "Brahmsian". A matter of taste I suppose?

[Mirror Image]

Generally I am not a fan of "Decca sound". It doesn't feel balanced and it contains often a lot spatial distortion. Alladin Suite on the twofer has got a very nice sound, so even Decca gets it right from time to time. As for symphonies 1 and 2, I don't know if they should sound so "Brahmsian". A matter of taste I suppose?

If you're not a fan of the 'Decca sound,' why'd you buy the Blomstedt cycle?

[71 dB]

If you're not a fan of the 'Decca sound,' why'd you buy the Blomstedt cycle?

Because you recommended me to do so. Thanks to you I now have a fantastic performance of Aladdin Suite! So thanks! 

There are labels that have consistently good sound. The few Mirare discs I have have got stunning sound. Labels such as BIS, CPO, Harmonia Mundi and Sony to mention some can be trusted on that field. Even Naxos has often very good sound these days (not the case 25 years ago). But Decca somehow has got weird ideas of good sound as if we were still living the 1960s.

[Mirror Image]

Because you recommended me to do so. Thanks to you I now have a fantastic performance of Aladdin Suite! So thanks! 

There are labels that have consistently good sound. The few Mirare discs I have have got stunning sound. Labels such as BIS, CPO, Harmonia Mundi and Sony to mention some can be trusted on that field. Even Naxos has often very good sound these days (not the case 25 years ago). But Decca somehow has got weird ideas of good sound as if we were still living the 1960s.

But I didn't know you were going to complain about the the audio quality, 71 dB. If I knew you weren't a fan of the 'Decca sound,' I wouldn't have bothered recommending the set to you.

[Turner]

Because you recommended me to do so. Thanks to you I now have a fantastic performance of Aladdin Suite! So thanks! 

There are labels that have consistently good sound. The few Mirare discs I have have got stunning sound. Labels such as BIS, CPO, Harmonia Mundi and Sony to mention some can be trusted on that field. Even Naxos has often very good sound these days (not the case 25 years ago). But Decca somehow has got weird ideas of good sound as if we were still living the 1960s.

I thought so too, until I gott Krysa in Schnittke´s Violin Concertos 3+4 on BIS, DDD. The orchestra is incredibly distant.
Never experienced problems with Decca sound, except the otherwise fine Saint-Saens piano concertos with Roge/Dutoit, which in some early CD transfers (ad maybe only them) had a real lot of hiss.

As regards Nielsen, I generally prefer at least recordings from the stereo age, since the selection is quite plentiful, but they certainly don´t have to be DDD or the like.

[Parsifal]

Because you recommended me to do so. Thanks to you I now have a fantastic performance of Aladdin Suite! So thanks! 

There are labels that have consistently good sound. The few Mirare discs I have have got stunning sound. Labels such as BIS, CPO, Harmonia Mundi and Sony to mention some can be trusted on that field. Even Naxos has often very good sound these days (not the case 25 years ago). But Decca somehow has got weird ideas of good sound as if we were still living the 1960s.

Sound quality is a very subjective thing. I have gotten particular pleasure from the recordings that Decca made in San Francisco with Blomstedt, but that was some time ago when Decca still had its own engineering team. Nowadays classical recordings are very often outsourced to independent or semi-independent contractors and I find that the distinct engineering styles of the major labels are largely a thing of the past.

[71 dB]

But I didn't know you were going to complain about the the audio quality, 71 dB. If I knew you weren't a fan of the 'Decca sound,' I wouldn't have bothered recommending the set to you.

Well, I have to admit I didn't fully realize it was Decca until I the disc arrived. I didn't think about the label. I must have seen the label logo on the cover, but bells didn't ring in my head. Also, even Decca has good sound sometimes so you never know. The sound of this twofer (as for the symphonies) isn't particularly bad, just not as good as Leaper. Decca sound works much better on loudspeakers than headphones (spatial distortion). Someday I may try this twofer with loudspeakers (most of my listening is with headphones these days). I wonder what you would recommend now that you know I am not a die hard fan of Decca sound. Kuchar?

I thought so too, until I gott Krysa in Schnittke´s Violin Concertos 3+4 on BIS, DDD. The orchestra is incredibly distant.
Never experienced problems with Decca sound, except the otherwise fine Saint-Saens piano concertos with Roge/Dutoit, which in some early CD transfers (ad maybe only them) had a real lot of hiss.

All labels have their weak moments. I mean if 90 % of releases sound great and only 1 % bad, the label is pretty trustful. I don't know that BIS disc. I happen to have that Saint-Saëns twofer. Maybe I have a better later transfer, because I don't recall "lot of hiss" on it.

As regards Nielsen, I generally prefer at least recordings from the stereo age, since the selection is quite plentiful, but they certainly don´t have to be DDD or the like.

Well, Blomstedt cycle is DDD so that's not the problem. The problem in my opinion is the microphone placement. Decca uses their on "Decca Tree" -system.

Sound quality is a very subjective thing. I have gotten particular pleasure from the recordings that Decca made in San Francisco with Blomstedt, but that was some time ago when Decca still had its own engineering team. Nowadays classical recordings are very often outsourced to independent or semi-independent contractors and I find that the distinct engineering styles of the major labels are largely a thing of the past.

That is probably true and nowadays it's hard to tell a CPO disc apart form a Harmonia Mundi or Naxos disc based on sound.