Top 5 Favorite Nielsen Works

[Mirror Image]

Great choices John.
From me:
Symphony 5 (Barbirolli recording  )
Saga-Drom (don't know how to do an 'o' with a line through it on my computer  )
Helios
Imaginary Journey to the Faroes Island
Pan and Syrinx

Thanks, Jeffrey. I like your choices, too, but remember that I have a new 'Top 5' list for Nielsen every week.

[not edward]

This is tough. The 5th symphony stands alone in my estimation, but there's a dozen or so other works that I could place in a top 5. Which I guess is an advert for his consistency.

So, in rough order of preference:

Symphony #5
Symphony #6
Wind Quintet
Tre Klaverstykker, op 59
Symphony #4

[vandermolen]

Parenthetically, I shall give this an inaugural spin today.

Excellent Karl let us know what you think and look out for the second part of the anarchic side-drummer section at the end of the first movement  .

[SymphonicAddict]

In the symphonies, very difficult to choose. Maybe his 5th
Flute concerto (mighty)
Hymnus amoris (charming)
Commotio (kaleidoscopic)
Aladdin's Suite (cheerful)

[71 dB]

Symphony 4
Symphony 3
Symphony 2
Wind Quintet
Helios

[Mirror Image]

Today's list:

Symphony No. 6, "Sinfonia semplice," FS 116
Saga-drøm, Op. 39
Violin Sonata No. 2, Op. 35
Søvnen (Sleep) , Op. 18
Clarinet Concerto, Op. 57

This will probably be a different list tomorrow.

[Mirror Image]

The relative dearth of piano music in this thread is a shame. I was shocked at how good some of it is.

Even as huge of a Nielsen as I am, I have yet to explore his songs or his solo piano music. What work of his piano music do you think I should listen to first?

[Karl Henning]

Even as huge of a Nielsen as I am, I have yet to explore his songs or his solo piano music. What work of his piano music do you think I should listen to first?

The Chaconne, Op.32, absolutely.

[North Star]

The Chaconne, Op.32, absolutely.

Yes, and then the Piano Suite 'Luciferian', Op. 45, and Theme & Variations, Op. 40.

[Karl Henning]

Yes, and then the Piano Suite 'Luciferian', Op. 45, and Theme & Variations, Op. 40.

Agreed.

[Mirror Image]

Yes, and then the Piano Suite 'Luciferian', Op. 45, and Theme & Variations, Op. 40.

The Chaconne, Op.32, absolutely.

Thanks, gentlemen. I shall do some investigating. Martin Roscoe's set on Hyperion seems to be the way to go.

[some guy]

You have remember this is GMG, so we've got to make it difficult to choose favorite works, which, I hope, in turn, encourages members to dig more into a composer's oeuvre and find some gems. It didn't take long for some of us to post lists, but for the newcomer or someone unfamiliar with a lot of Nielsen's work, this would hopefully inspire them to take a second look at his music.

Any evidence that any of this actually happens, though? These are both claims I've seen a lot, from many different people, but I don't recall ever seeing anything other than the claims.

The hope, too. I've seen the hope as well, but I have to say that it comes off more along the lines of a disclaimer (to be a foil against posts like this one, for instance) than an expression of optimism.

[Turner]

Any evidence that any of this actually happens, though? These are both claims I've seen a lot, from many different people, but I don't recall ever seeing anything other than the claims.

The hope, too. I've seen the hope as well, but I have to say that it comes off more along the lines of a disclaimer (to be a foil against posts like this one, for instance) than an expression of optimism.

Sufficiently interesting or plentiful recommendations can actually result in listening to a work, or composer. I speak from my own experience, and further examples read here. But I agree that there´s certainly no guarantee.