The Nielsen Nexus

[calyptorhynchus]

I mentioned over on the Unpopular Opinions thread ....

Where's that? I should spend most of my time there. 

[Symphonic Addict]

+1

+2

[Daverz]

A recent expression of casual scorn for the piece set me to re-listen to the Sixth Symphony. I find it brilliant: fearless, quirky, wilful and sure-footed.

Every liner note on the 6th ever has to say something about it being "problematic".  I just ignore this.

[Mirror Image]

A recent expression of casual scorn for the piece set me to re-listen to the Sixth Symphony. I find it brilliant: fearless, quirky, wilful and sure-footed.

Yep, as I stated in the 'Listening' thread, I find it one of his best symphonies. I should revisit it.

[DavidW]

I never knew that the sixth was anything but well received!  Well I guess that is what I get for not reading liner notes.

[71 dB]

Every liner note on the 6th ever has to say something about it being "problematic".  I just ignore this.

It WAS "problematic" the same way Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring was.

[Irons]

I never knew that the sixth was anything but well received!  Well I guess that is what I get for not reading liner notes.

Critics often describe it as "quirky" and "problematic". The 6th holds a special place and Ormandy's is the best recording I have heard.

[Karl Henning]

Tying "problematic" in with "quirky" is problematic.

[Irons]

Tying "problematic" in with "quirky" is problematic.

Or quirky, even.

[Brahmsian]

Based on availability and price combined, I'm trying to narrow down to two symphony cycle sets (both highly recommended by Hurwitz), but also want others' thoughts:

Kuchar - Janacek Philharmonic - Brilliant Classics
Ole Schmidt - London Symphony Orchestra - Alto

[Sergeant Rock]

Based on availability and price combined, I'm trying to narrow down to two symphony cycle sets (both highly recommended by Hurwitz), but also want others' thoughts:

Kuchar - Janacek Philharmonic - Brilliant Classics
Ole Schmidt - London Symphony Orchestra - Alto

Good choices that happen to be my favorites (along with Oramo).

Sarge

[MusicTurner]

Based on availability and price combined, I'm trying to narrow down to two symphony cycle sets (both highly recommended by Hurwitz), but also want others' thoughts:

Kuchar - Janacek Philharmonic - Brilliant Classics
Ole Schmidt - London Symphony Orchestra - Alto

Kuchar is very fine is spite of the low price. Schmidt's set was recorded in a very few days. I'd supplement Kuchar with Bernstein in no.5 (no.3 usually comes along) and maybe then later with other recordings.

[DaveF]

Based on availability and price combined, I'm trying to narrow down to two symphony cycle sets (both highly recommended by Hurwitz), but also want others' thoughts:

Kuchar - Janacek Philharmonic - Brilliant Classics
Ole Schmidt - London Symphony Orchestra - Alto

I would say the "safest" (not meaning unexciting, just generally reliable) is Blomstedt with the San Francisco Symphony.  I wouldn't want to be without Schmidt as it was the first ever complete cycle, I think - I had the LPs back in the late 1970s.  Mixed feelings about Kuchar - I like him especially in the earlier symphonies, but couldn't live with his no.6 and the uncorrected wrong note in the bassoon theme in the finale.  (Yes, I know it's half a second in a 35-minute symphony, but I sit and wait for it from bar 1.  I'm a music editor and librarian, which perhaps explains it.)

[Brahmsian]

Thanks for the feedback, folks. 

[Mirror Image]

Based on availability and price combined, I'm trying to narrow down to two symphony cycle sets (both highly recommended by Hurwitz), but also want others' thoughts:

Kuchar - Janacek Philharmonic - Brilliant Classics
Ole Schmidt - London Symphony Orchestra - Alto

Neither. I think they're both poorly performed cycles, tbh. What Nielsen symphony cycles do you already own, Ray?

[Brahmsian]

Neither. I think they're both poorly performed cycles, tbh. What Nielsen symphony cycles do you already own, Ray?

I only own the Bostock/Royal Liverpool

[Mirror Image]

I only own the Bostock/Royal Liverpool

Yikes! Remedy that with Blomstedt/SFSO or Gilbert/NYPO immediately! In fact, I'll send you a PM, so keep a lookout for a new message.

[Brahmsian]

Yikes! Remedy that with Blomstedt/SFSO or Gilbert/NYPO immediately! In fact, I'll send you a PM, so keep a lookout for a new message.

The reason I got the Bostock set, was because it was my first exposure to Nielsen's music, and it was a very affordable 10 disc box set of music that included other works by Nielsen, ranging from the symphonies, concertos, piano music and some vocal music.    That was a number of years ago, at least 5 or 6 years.

[MusicTurner]

Of course, budget releases have their merits, & you've been introduced to this music & got to know it. There's nothing disastrous in that, and besides, the recordings first heard will often grow a bit on you, even for sentimental reasons, no matter what. In the case of Bostock, he premiered some new editions and forgotten works too. But I'd agree that performance-wise, there is a good deal of more idiomatic stuff out there. Still, identifying differences between recordings is a voyage of discovery - and a quality - in itself.

[Mirror Image]

The reason I got the Bostock set, was because it was my first exposure to Nielsen's music, and it was a very affordable 10 disc box set of music that included other works by Nielsen, ranging from the symphonies, concertos, piano music and some vocal music.    That was a number of years ago, at least 5 or 6 years.

Sure, I certainly understand that and can sympathize. Anyway, there's so much more richness to be found in this music and, thankfully, there are many different cycles to choose from.