The Nielsen Nexus

[Mirror Image]

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.)

The general consensus, from what I've read, seems to be that Bostock isn't great, but serviceable, which doesn't really sound like a ringing endorsement to me.

[PerfectWagnerite]

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.)

Meaning what exactly?

[SurprisedByBeauty]

Meaning what exactly?

Souped-up post-romanticism, Richard-Straussesque... ironing out some of the kinks; presenting a lush harmonic jungle from a safe distance... delectable and easy to consume.

[Karl Henning]

If Gilbert does that . . . it is truly as great a disservice to Nielsen as to Sibelius.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

If Gilbert does that . . . it is truly as great a disservice to Nielsen as to Sibelius.

You are right to posit this with an if. But let's assume there is a reasonable aspect to the point I am making (i.e. other listeners can appreciated it - the point, that is), then I would posit in turn with the question of whether Colin Davis' Boston set was a disservice to Sibelius. I think it has done LOTS to popularize Sibelius and to little or no detriment as far as I can tell.

I, for one, REALLY like the Gilbert Nielsen recordings, without thinking that they are doing what Mahlerian thinks Karajan was doing to Mahler's Sixth. 

Or perhaps I'm wrong or expressed myself clumsily. 

[Karl Henning]

No, no, you're fine.  And here in the early morning, I expressed myself rather flatly.  Because, although I do prefer my Nielsen & Sibelius on the trim, spare side . . . as you know, I am in principle open to a variety of interpretation.

Still, there is no denying the reason why Stravinsky was an early, seminal influence upon me:  I have something of a native disinclination to troppo romantico.

[Mirror Image]

FWIW, I thought initially that Gilbert's Nielsen was too polite, but after much listening and revisitation, I'll go ahead and say his cycle is one of the best. These are actually quite brawny performances and Gilbert's understanding of the musical language goes well beyond mere surface sheen. He certainly understands the undercurrents as well as the currents. His performances remind me of a battered pickup truck, but one that still houses an immaculate motor and internal parts. No matter what kind of dent the performance suffers from, they still find their way to the conclusion (i. e. the end of the work) and do so in a remarkable way.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

FWIW, I thought initially that Gilbert's Nielsen was too polite, but after much listening and revisitation, I'll go ahead and say his cycle is one of the best. These are actually quite brawny performances and Gilbert's understanding of the musical language goes well beyond mere surface sheen. He certainly understands the undercurrents as well as the currents. His performances remind me of a battered pickup truck, but one that still houses an immaculate motor and internal parts. No matter what kind of dent the performance suffers from, they still find their way to the conclusion (i. e. the end of the work) and do so in a remarkable way.

Wonderful way to put it.

[SymphonicAddict]

I'm truly astounded and delighted by these 4 singular string quartets. Highly entertaining, quirky, intense, with personality. They have been a great revelation lately.



There is not even a dull one. These recordings make justice to them.

[Karl Henning]

Agreed, a strong contribution to the literature.

[Madiel]

Yes, I wish "early" Nielsen didn't get put down as often as it seems to be. There's some pretty damn good music in there, written by a fully-fledged adult.

[SymphonicAddict]

Happy birthday, Carl!!

[kyjo]

Recently I've discovered what original, charming, inventive, surprising, touching, and sometimes weird works Nielsen's string quartets are! They're easily some of the finest string quartets from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that I know. Particularly of note are the riveting finale of no. 2 in F minor and the strikingly powerful slow movement of no. 3 in E flat. They have been excellently served by brilliant performances by the Young Danish String Quartet (now simply known as the Danish String Quartet) on Dacapo. This is some of the finest chamber music playing I've ever heard!


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[SymphonicAddict]

Recently I've discovered what original, charming, inventive, surprising, touching, and sometimes weird works Nielsen's string quartets are! They're easily some of the finest string quartets from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that I know. Particularly of note are the riveting finale of no. 2 in F minor and the strikingly powerful slow movement of no. 3 in E flat. They have been excellently served by brilliant performances by the Young Danish String Quartet (now simply known as the Danish String Quartet) on Dacapo. This is some of the finest chamber music playing I've ever heard!


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Almost exactly a year ago I posted some brief impressions with these CDs, impressions that are very shared with your own views. These quartets are some of the very best I've heard, simply delightful, witty, with lots of spark. I do remember that gorgeous slow movement from the SQ 3. I recall being very impressed by it.

Besides the SQs, his String Quintet is worth investigating, so are the Violín Sonatas and works for violin solo. Some highly attractive music there.

[Jo498]

Not sure if it is still so cheap but one of the best deals is the dacapo Box with Nielsen chamber/piano music that contains the two discs with quartets shown above and quite a bit more. I have to admit that I found the early string quintet charming but rather negligeable but the string quartets and the second violin sonata are major works that deserved to be as well known as the wind quintet.

[Madiel]

Not sure if it is still so cheap but one of the best deals is the dacapo Box with Nielsen chamber/piano music that contains the two discs with quartets shown above and quite a bit more. I have to admit that I found the early string quintet charming but rather negligeable but the string quartets and the second violin sonata are major works that deserved to be as well known as the wind quintet.

I picked the box earlier this year, so without remembering what I paid I must have found it reasonable.

[SymphonicAddict]

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

I found the String Quartet No. 3 on YouTube performed by the Danish SQ. This definitely is a super work! The work is given in such a flawless rendition. This quartet is bold, generous in striking ideas, continuously brilliant in nearly every note, there is no place for dullness. Simply impressive and delightful music. Now it's one of my very favorite Nielsen works.

[Andy D.]

I listened to the fifth and sixth symphonies today and like them a lot. I see more Nielsen in my future.

[SymphonicAddict]

I listened to the fifth and sixth symphonies today and like them a lot. I see more Nielsen in my future.

Excellent! My very favorite (5th) and the one that has impressed me lately (6th). Nielsen is consistently great, with a quite distinctive voice. It's hard to go wrong with him!

[vers la flamme]

Nielsen is one of a handful of composers that I'm really interested in, and somehow drawn to, yet have never clicked with me. Perhaps I haven't heard the right performance, but every time I've listened to a symphony of his, it has completely failed to phase me in the slightest. Someone tell me what's a world class, legendary performance of one of his symphonies that is guaranteed to make an impression on me, and I'll give it a shot. 

I like Sibelius a lot, and perhaps I'm unconsciously comparing Nielsen to the Finnish master. Are they similar in the slightest? I always see it as a "if you like x you will like y" kind of thing with the two.