Nielsen: Symphonies 4 & 5

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The composer that Nielsen resembles more than any other as a symphonist is Beethoven. Naturally the idiom is a bit more modern (though firmly tonal and melodic), but there's the same sense of drama, energy, and musical concentration that you find in Beethoven's symphonies. When you listen to Nielsen's music, you can't miss the sense of purpose--the music has a goal and will literally overcome any hurdle to get there. That's exactly what happens in these two splendid symphonies. Herbert Blomstedt has been a forceful proponent of Nielsen's music for his entire career, and he plays with total commitment. -- David Hurwitz

Amazon.com
Herbert Blomstedt has the full measure of Nielsen's music, and this 1987 coupling of the Fourth and Fifth Symphonies, impossible before the advent of CD, is the ideal one. These are excellent performances, knowingly shaped and magnificently played. London provides a state-of-the-art recording, in a living, breathing, spacious ambience. --Ted Libbey

Nielsen: Symphonies 4 & 5

Tracks:

Symphony No. 4, FS 76 'The Inextinguishable': Allegro - Carl Nielsen
Symphony No. 4, FS 76 'The Inextinguishable': Poco allegretto - Carl Nielsen
Symphony No. 4, FS 76 'The Inextinguishable': Poco adagio quasi andante - Carl Nielsen
Symphony No. 4, FS 76 'The Inextinguishable': Con anima - Allegro - Carl Nielsen
Symphony No. 5, FS 97: I Tempo giusto - Carl Nielsen
Symphony No. 5, FS 97: Adagio non troppo - Carl Nielsen
Symphony No. 5, FS 97: II Allegro - Carl Nielsen
Symphony No. 5, FS 97: Presto - Carl Nielsen
Symphony No. 5, FS 97: Andante un poco tranquillo - Carl Nielsen
Symphony No. 5, FS 97: Allegro - Carl Nielsen

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6, FS 116 'Sinfonia semplice': I Tempo Giusto - C. Nielsen
Symphony No. 6, FS 116 'Sinfonia semplice': II Humoreske: Allegretto - C. Nielsen
Symphony No. 6, FS 116 'Sinfonia semplice': III Proposta seria: Adagio - C. Nielsen
Symphony No. 6, FS 116 'Sinfonia semplice': IV Tema con variazioni - C. Nielsen
Little Suite For Strings, FS 6: I Praludium - C. Nielsen
Little Suite For Strings, FS 6: II Intermezzo - C. Nielsen
Little Suite For Strings, FS 6: III Finale - C. Nielsen
Hymnus amoris, FS 21: I Amor mihi vitam donat - C. Nielsen
Hymnus amoris, FS 21: II Amor est dolor meus - C. Nielsen
Hymnus amoris, FS 21: III Amor est pax mea - C. Nielsen

Customer Reviews:

5 stars all the way!!!!!.......2005-04-17

This set has changed the way I see Scandinavian music. Nielsen is a great composer and all his symphonies are up there among the very best of their era. He is bolder than the well-known Grieg and Sibelius and his music has something fresh. The playing of the SFSO under Herbert Blomstedt (have you hear the recording of Mahler's 2nd with the same contributors? One of the very best...) and the Decca sound really add to the great experience. The other pieces are good too but don't have the excitement of the symphonies- still a welcome addition. A must for all music lovers.

One of the greatest symphonies ever.......2001-04-22

The greatest symphonies are not only peerless works of art, but they also speak profoundly and prophetically from the historical context out of which they were conceived. In this respect, I've always considered Shostakovich's Fifth and Ives's Fourth as the two greatest symphonies of the last century. Then I discovered Nielsen's Fifth...

Nielsen's Fifth, as performed by Blomstedt in this recording, is a stunning, miraculous, amazing, tragic, and ultimately life-affirming masterpiece. Written in the wake of the Great War when the scope of its horror had become fully apparent to the composer, it speaks profoundly and prophetically of the rise of nationalism, fascism, and the eternal conflict between a peaceful social discourse and the war-machine of the state.

The two other symphonies on this album are also noteable. The Fourth is a near great work, which was also written during the Great War and deals with the "Inextinguishable" spirit of mankind. The Sixt!h is enigmatic, iconoclastic, humorous.

Everyone interested in 20th Century classical music should purchase this complete set of Nielson symphonies. It will quickly become a treasured part of any music collection.

Nielsen rocks!.......2000-07-21

First off, the Blomstedt recordings are exceptional, for both symphonies 1-3 and 4-6. The music included in addition to the symphonies is great fun, especially the "Hymnus Amoris," on the 4-6 release, which is an excellent, thoroughly enjoyable choral work. The recording is demonstration quality--clear, crisp definition with great performances. Nielsen is a highly original symphonic composer. In that way, he is like Sibelius. But he also demonstrates an intriguing quirkiness in his compositional style. By quirky I mean that his symphonies go through fits of ecstasy, melancholy, joy, eeriness, and solemnity, often within the space of mere minutes of listening. It takes a few listens to get into it. I enjoy it very much, though. "The Inextinguishable" has melodic elements in the first movement such as would melt the heart, and these fine moments are given a noble return in the finale, along with great use of tympani drums. The fifth and sixth are the especially quirky ones, the sixth the quirkiest of all. But chances are, if you're looking into Nielsen, you want to embrace music that contains vitality and a rich depth of expression... if so, you will really come to love all the orchestral works on these discs for their shifting intricacies, evolving patterns, and subtle orchestrations, and I will recommend it all wholeheartedly. These are great orchestral works.

More Great Music!.......2000-07-01

The Blomstedt Nielsen cycle was originally issued on 3 cds with two symphonies each, but it has now been put onto 2 double cds, making the deal even more attractive. The fourth and fifth are among my favorite symphonies, and the SF symphony gives as fine a performance as I know of them. Just listen to the opening tuba blast in the 'Inextinguishable' and you know you're in for something special.

Average customer rating:

The Last of the Royal Editions

Nielsen: Symphonies 2 & 4

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Nielsen: Symphonies 3 & 5
Symphony No. 14 The Royal Edition, No. 79 Of 100: Dmitri Shostakovich
Mahler: Symphony No. 3; Rücket Lieder; Kindertotenlieder

ASIN: B0000027N5
Release Date: 1993-06-22

Tracks:

I. Allegro Collerico
II. Allegro Comodo E Flemmatico
III. Andante Malincolico
IV. Allegro Sanguineo
I. Allegro
II. Poco Allegretto
III. Poco Adagio Quasi Andante
IV. Allegro

Amazon.com

Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius are the two greatest composers to have emerged from the Scandanavian countries in the 20th century. They both have a series of successful symphonies, all of which still exist on CD in many editions. These are two classic recordings done by Leonard Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic. Bernstein's take on these works are toward a stronger dynamism, especially in the opening gestures of each work. Some critics don't like this, but the Symphony 4 , The Inextinguishable, of 1916 needs it. It requires a powerful launch for the ideas that are to follow. Highly recommended. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

The Last of the Royal Editions.......2003-07-28

Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic's recordings of Nielsen's 2nd and 4th Symphonies is one of the last titles available in the classic Sony Royal Edition series. While many of these titles have been reissued in the Bernstein Century series, this one has not, which probably accounts for its current availability. These performances from the early 1970s (and the Royal Edition CD coupling Nielsen's 3rd and 5th Symphonies) have always impressed me, and they are comparable in quality to both of the well-respected Nielsen Symphony Cycles by Herbert Blomstedt. If you are interested in this title, I would move fast as most Bernstein Royal Edition titles are now out of print, and most likely this one will suffer the same fate shortly.

Average customer rating:

From Robert Layton's Review in Gramophone
Nice sonics, bland interpretations
Essential Nielsen symphonies
Magnificent but not exactly easy listening

Nielsen: Symphonies 4 & 5

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6
Nielsen : Symphonies 2 & 3 / San Francisco Symphony / Herbert Blomstedt
Hindemith: Symphony 'Mathis der Maler'/Trauermusik/Symphonic Metamorphosis
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Witold Lutoslawski: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 / Les Espaces du Sommeil - John Shirley-Quirk / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Esa-Pekka Salonen

ASIN: B0000041UI
Release Date: 1988-06-13

Tracks:

Sym No.4 'The Inextinguishable': Allegro
Sym No.4 'The Inextinguishable': Poco Allegretto
Sym No.4 'The Inextinguishable': Poco Adagio Quasi Andante
Sym No.4 'The Inextinguishable': Con Anima - Allegro
Sym No.5: I. Tempo Giusto -
Sym No.5: Adagio Non Troppo
Sym No.5: II. Allegro -
Sym No.5: Presto -
Sym No.5: Andante Un Poco Tranquillo -
Sym No.5: Allegro

Amazon.com

The composer that Nielsen resembles more than any other as a symphonist is Beethoven. Naturally the idiom is a bit more modern (though firmly tonal and melodic), but there's the same sense of drama, energy, and musical concentration that you find in Beethoven's symphonies. When you listen to Nielsen's music, you can't miss the sense of purpose--the music has a goal and will literally overcome any hurdle to get there. That's exactly what happens in these two splendid symphonies. Herbert Blomstedt has been a forceful proponent of Nielsen's music for his entire career, and he plays with total commitment. -- David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Herbert Blomstedt has the full measure of Nielsen's music, and this 1987 coupling of the Fourth and Fifth Symphonies, impossible before the advent of CD, is the ideal one. These are excellent performances, knowingly shaped and magnificently played. London provides a state-of-the-art recording, in a living, breathing, spacious ambience. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

From Robert Layton's Review in Gramophone.......2006-04-19

Blomstedt recorded Nielsen's complete orchestral works with the Danish Radio orchestra in the mid 1970s on an eight-LP set for EMI, so he is no stranger to this repertoire. But his later records of Strauss's Ein Heldenleben and Bruckner's Fourth and Seventh with the Staatskapelle, Dresden (all on Denon) show him to have grown in depth and stature. I can recall his debut in Stockholm in the mid-1950s when he conducted. a very well prepared if rather cool account of Hindemith's Mathis Symphony.

Blomstedt's new opening has splendid fire: this must sound as if galaxies are forming, in tempo and character it is close to the inspiring 1952 Jensen broadcast on a Danacord LP and to Grondahl's LP. Generally speaking Blomstedt is less circumspect than he was in his earlier set and less frightened of letting things rip. You may remember the composer's oft-quoted simile concerning the soaring string lines in the slow movement ('like the eagle riding on the wind'). Simon Rattle (EMI) is tremendously intense, almost pesante here, and does not follow the change of metronome marking between the opening (crotchet= 52-56) and at fig. 32 (crotchet=68) to such striking effect. Blomstedt conveys Nielsen's image most strikingly and there is much in this movement that is sensitive and atmospheric. The finale is exhilarating yet held on a firm rein.

Blomstedt's Fifth Symphony, too, is impressive: it starts perfectly and is almost as icy in atmosphere as Jensen (Decca LP) or Tuxen (EMI LP), and the climax is well handled. The desolate clarinet peroration comes offmost successfully too. He brings one closer to the music than he did in his 1975 recording and I prefer his finale to Chung (both the fugal episodes come off better) and to Salonen who broadens the closing bars to the point of bombast (forgivable youthful impetuosity no doubt but tiresome on repetition). Nielsen's Fifth is probably better than it can be played but this new account is certainly among the finest now on the market. Ole Schmidt's performances (Unicorn-Kanchana) of both symphonies still strike me as having something special to say even if neither the orchestral playing nor the recording is the equal of the newcomer.

Blomstedt's recording balance could not be improved upon: the woodwind are decently recessed (though clarinet keys are audible at times) and there is an almost ideal relationship between the various orchestra sections as well as a thoroughly realistic overall perspective. He obviously has a good rapport with the orchestra, who sound in excellent shape and respond to these scores as to the manner born. I hope he is introducing his fellow musicians to the Stenhammar and Berwald symphonies and that he will persuade Decca to give us a new version of Hilding Rosenberg's Third and better still what would be a premiere recording of Hortulanus, his Fifth (and to my mind greatest) symphony.

Nice sonics, bland interpretations.......2005-09-18

You would never know from Blomstedt's steady and controlled Sym 5 that Nielsen was horrified by, and wanted to portray, the traumatic battlefields of World War I. Similarly, you would never guess at the indomitable strength behind the Fourth Sym, the Inextinguishable. These are expert, straight-ahead readings in fine soud, but there is no magic of the kind transmitted in both works by Bernstein or in the Fourth by Karajan, among others.

Essential Nielsen symphonies.......2003-11-21

When Herbert Blomstedt first became music director of the San Francisco Symphony in the fall of 1985, there was little doubt that the orchestra would finally play the symphonies of Carl Nielsen. I had first discovered Nielsen's music through Vanguard imports of recordings by Sir John Barbirolli and the Halle Orchestra, recorded in the mid 1960's. From listening to those milestone recordings, it was immediately clear that Nielsen, who lived from 1865 to 1931, was highly original and imaginative.

Among the first Nielsen symphonies I heard was the fourth, which he subtitled "Inextinguishable." The recording almost sounded as if was had joined the music in progress. Perhaps Nielsen intended to convery that the music HAD been going on for some time. The symphony certainly doesn't stop, once it begins.

As much as I enjoyed Barbirolli's wonderful recording (originally issued in England on the Pye label), Blomstedt's 1987 performance with the San Francisco Symphony is even better. It is absolutely unbelievable in its intensity, even when we come to the intriguing second movement. After some absolute bombast and turbulence, with brass scorings that reminded me of Anton Bruckner, the music subsides to something quiet, light, and rather humorous. It is not as satirical or sarcastic as Nielsen's last symphony (the sixth), but the second movement is definitely a great contrast to the tragic intensity of the other movements.

Blomstedt succeeds in getting the San Francisco musicians to play with their hearts and clearly shows that things have changed the occasional inconsistency that emerged under Jorda, Krips, Ozawa, and DeWaart. The orchestra had actually steadily improved once Josef Krips took over in 1963, after a terrible decline during Enrique Jorda's tenure (1954 to 1963). Yet there were problems even after that, particularly with sloppy playing by the brass; none of that is the case in the Nielsen symphonies recorded here.

Blomstedt was born in the U.S. to Danish parents and spent most of his life in Europe before coming to San Francisco. Not surprisingly, he developed a great love for the music of Carl Nielsen, who was born the same year as the Finnish master Jean Sibelius but went in a much different musical direction.

Nielsen's fifth symphony is almost agonizing at times. It uses a snare drum and other percussion to create a musical impression of an advancing army. Was Nielsen reacting to the events of World War I? Typically, Nielsen would have resisted calling this a "war" symphony, but it definitely belongs to a turbulent period of European history. The program notes say that Nielsen led a "quiet" life, but he clearly expressed himself in his music and this is one of his most powerful musical expressions. The San Francisco orchestra plays with great passion and precision at the same time.

The fourth and fifth symphonies were the first works the San Francisco Symphony recorded for London/Decca, after making a number of recordings for Deutsche Grammophon and Phillips under Seiji Ozawa and Edo DeWaart. The recording was the beginning of a very fine association with the British recording company.

Magnificent but not exactly easy listening.......2003-10-09

Carl Nielsen really cannot be lumped into any category; he is what he is, and the listener must take him on his terms, which is sometimes easier said than done. His symphonies are challenging to listen to; I usually listen to them on headphones so that I can fully appreciate the full complexity of his harmonies and thematic development.

The 5th symphony is particularly challenging. Sometimes it can be just plain weird...it is almost always unsettling. Set in two movements, it seems always to be dealing with a threatening unknown, just looming over the horizon. In the first movement, this manifests itself with a creepy military drumbeat which comes & goes throughout the movement. Instability permeates the movement...it finally ends on a calm but hardly settling note. The second movement is still settled although not as creepy. There is a slower interlude --- calm but anguished at points --- which leads to one last burst of manic energy before ending grandly on an E flat major chord, which really seems to come out of nowhere. Even the triumphant conclusion contributes to overall unsettling nature of the work.

The 4th Symphony, "The Inextinguishable," typcially displays Nielsen's tendency of hovering around a tonal base, but never quite giving the listener that which he yearns for. The symphony is struggling towards a final triumphant conclusion, and finally achieves it, but not before a rough musical road has been travelled.

Customer Reviews:

A Very Solid Nielsen Symphony Cycle, But..........2004-01-12

Bryden Thomson and the Royal Scottish Orchestra give very solid, committed performances of all six of Carl Nielsen's symphonies. I had the pleasure of listening to this set at my university's music library while an undergraduate music student. The sound quality, as one can expect from the Chandos label, is excellent.

However, Bryden Thomson seems to have some strange tempi, sometimes too fast at crucial climaxes in the symphonies. An example of this is the first movement of Nielsen's First Symphony. At one of the big orchestral G Minor sections he starts out very slowly, then picks up too much, sounding rushed and awkward. The symphony still comes off very nicely, but there are other times when the orchestra plays too loudly, distorting the sound.

Furthermore, the Nielsen symphonies remain a very competitive realm, both quality-wise and price-wise. While this is a nice set, there is absolutely no reason for you to purchase it when you can buy Herbert Blomstedt's outstanding Nielsen symphony cycle with the San Francisco Symphony (two London "Double Decca" CD's). It even includes several of Nielsen's important orchestral works ("Aladdin" Suite, "Maskarade" Overture, Hymnus Amoris), whereas Thomson's set is restricted to symphonies only.

Tracks:

I. Allegro Espansivo
II. Andante Pastorale - Christian Immler
III. Allegretto Un Poco
IV. Finale: Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Poco Allegretto
III. Poco Adagio Quasi Andante
IV. Allegro

Average customer rating:

Unbeatable Nielsen

Nielsen: Symphonies/Concertos

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000016JR
Release Date: 1994-10-12

Tracks:

I. Allegro Orgoglioso
II. Andante
III. Allegro Comodo
IV. Finale. Allegro Con Fuoco
I. Allegro Collerico
II. Allegro Comodo E Flemmatico
III. Andante Malincolico
IV. Allegro Sanguineo

Tracks:

I. Allegro Espansivo
II. Andante Pastorale
III. Allegretto Un Poco
IV. Finale. Allegro
I. Tempo Giusto - Adagio Non Troppo
II. Allegro - Andante Un Poco Tranquillo - Allegro

Tracks:

I. Allegro - Neeme Jarvi
II. Poco Allegretto - Neeme Jarvi
III. Poco Adagio Quasi Andante - Neeme Jarvi
Con Anima - IV. Allegro - Neeme Jarvi
I. Tempo Giusto - Neeme Jarvi
II. Humoreske. Allegretto - Neeme Jarvi
III. Proposta Seria. Adagio - Neeme Jarvi
IV. Tema Con Variazioni: Allegro - Variations 1-9 - Fanfare - Neeme Jarvi

Tracks:

I. Praeludium. Largo - Allegro Cavalleresco
II. Poco Adagio
III. Rondo. Allegretto Scherzando
I. Allegro Moderato - Orchestra
II. Allegretto - Adagio Ma Non troppo - Allegretto - Tempo Di Marcia - Orchestra
Allegretto Un Poco - Poco Adagio - Allegro Non Troppo - Adagio - Allegro Vivace - Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Unbeatable Nielsen.......2002-10-09

Myung-whun Chung and Neme Jarvi are both ideal Nielsen interpreters, combining power with soaring lyricism. This set includes some of the best performances of the symphonies you'll hear. Chung's account of the 3rd is the best I've ever heard (I've heard about all currently available), with powerful outer movements and a tempo in the pastorale that allows it the breadth it should have in a symphony named "The Expansive." Likewise, Chung's other performances, including the 5th, are among the best. Jarvi is equally good in the 4th and 6th. The concerto performances continue in the same vein, and are highly satisfying. The sound quality is excellent. Recommended very, very highly.

Average customer rating:

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003EQJ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Carl Nielsen: Complete Symphonies (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Great interpretations of Nielsen's symphonies

Carl Nielsen: Complete Symphonies (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Marco Polo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00006463K
Release Date: 2002-07-16

Tracks:

Allegro Espansivo
Andante Pastorale
Allegretto Un Poco
Finale: Allegro
Allegro Collerico
Allegro Comodo E Flemmatico
Andante Malincolico
Allegro Sanguineo

Tracks:

Allegro Orgoglioso
Andante
Allegro Comodo - Andante Sostenuto - Tempo I
Finale: Allegro Con Fuoco
Tempo Giusto
Humoresque - Allegretto
Proposta Seria - Adagio
Theme And Variations - Var. 1 - Var 2. Allegretto Quasi Andantino - Var 3. Piu Vivo - Var 4. - Var. 5 Brioso - Var. 6 Tempo Di Valse - Var. 7 - Var. 8 Molto Adagio - Var. 9: Tempo Di Tema (Allegretto Un Poco) - Fanfare

Tracks:

Allegro
Poco Allegretto (8 Bars After Tempo Marking)
Poco Adagio Quasi Andante
Con Anima - Allegro
I Tempo Giusto -
Adagio
II Allegro
Presto
Andante Poco Tranquillo
Allegro (Tempo I)

Customer Reviews:

Great interpretations of Nielsen's symphonies.......2004-08-16

Here we have one of the finest Nielsen symphony cycles that ever have appeared on record: Michael Schönwandt is conducting Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra. So what we hear is a Danish orchestra conducted by a Danish conductor familiar with Nielsen's music. The orchestral playing is not in the same stylish class as, say, San Francisco SO for Blomstedt, but the Danes play this music with an unmatched passion and integrity. Moreover, the recording quality is outstanding, with all frequencies in natural balance, and the departments of the orchestra are spaciously positioned.

The set is very even, musically and sonically, but I appreciate the takes of the second and sixth symphonies most of all.

Prospective buyers should however consider Ole Schmidt's bargain set on Regis as the first choice, which boasts fine recordings of legendary interpretations.

Average customer rating:

Jarvi doesn't find the depths of this music, but the surface is often brilliant

Nielsen: Complete Symphonies

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Shostakovich: Complete Concertos
Hindemith: Complete String Quartets
Shostakovich: The Complete Symphonies - Mariss Jansons (10 CD)
Shostakovich: The String Quartets

ASIN: B0009ENFHC
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

I. Allegro Orgoglioso
II. Andante
III. Allegro Comodo-Andante Sostenuto-Tempo I
IV. Finale. Allegro Con Fuoco
I. Allegro Collerico
II. Allegro Comodo E Flammatico
III. Andante Malincolico
IV. Allegro Sanguineo

Tracks:

I. Allegro Espansivo
II. Andante Pastorale
III. Allegretto Un Poco - Soile Isokoski
IV. Finale. Allegro - Soile Isokoski
I. Allegro
II. Poco Allegretto (8 Bars After Tempo Marking)
III. Poco Adagio Quasi Andante
IV. Allegro

Tracks:

I. Tempo Giusto
Adagio Non Troppo
II. Allegro-Un Poco Piu Mosso
Presto
Andante Un Poco Tranquillo
Allegro (Tempo I)
I. Tempo Giusto-Allegro Passionato-Lento, Ma Non Troppo-Tempo I-Piu Lento
II. Humoreske: Allegretto
III. Proposta Seria: Adagio
IV. Tema Con Variazioni: Allegro-Tema: Allegretto Un Poco-Var.1-Var.II: Allegretto Quasi Andantino-Var.III: Piu Vivo-Var.IV-Var.V:Brioso-Var. VI: Tempo Di Valse-Var. VII-Var. VIII: Molto Adagio-VarIX: Tempo Di Tema (Allegretto Un Poco)-Fanfare

Customer Reviews:

Jarvi doesn't find the depths of this music, but the surface is often brilliant.......2006-06-22

This cycle of Nielsen symphonies is a partial crossover from the Bis label, not a remake. The connection with Bis assures that the sonics given to the Gothenburg Sym. will be excellent, and the clarity of the wind playing, the inner detail and clean dynamics are a big plus. Jarvi isn't especially tuned in to the mystery and tragedy of Nielsen's later works. He zips too quickly through the first movement of the Fifth, missing its combination of anguish and chaos. He isn't expansive or joyous enough in Sym. #3, even though the subtitle is 'Espansiva.'

Where Jarvi shines is in visceral excitement, and since Sym. #4 'The Inextinguishable' contains more thrills than any ohter, his reading is glavanic--the various eruptions of percussion and the famous duel between two timpanists couldn't be more dramatic. I think it also helps that the Gothenburg orchestra isn't large by philharmonic standards--the lean textures Jarvi gets sound more correct than, say, Karajan's famous readinng of the Fourth with the Berlin Phil.

Still, there are seven complete Nielsen cycles on the market, and if a buyer picks and chooses, greater performances can be had than any here. I would begin with Bernstein's incomparable Sym. #3 and #5, Salonen's #4, Stokowski's live #6, and the two early symphonies with Blomstedt, in spectcular sound from San Francisco. Jarvi should be kept in mind mainly for the dashing energy he works up in Sym. #4 and #6.

Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 4 "The Inextinguishable" and 5

Average customer rating:

Nielsen's two masterworks and succesful interpretations
Capable, but there is something missing.....

Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 4 "The Inextinguishable" and 5

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Nielsen: Symphonies 2 & 3
Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6 ("Sinfonia semplice")

ASIN: B0000013XJ
Release Date: 1994-10-04

Tracks:

Allegro - Adrian Leaper
Poco Allegretto - Adrian Leaper
Poco Adagio Quasi Andante - Adrian Leaper
Con Anima - Allegro - Adrian Leaper
Tempo Guisto - Adrian Leaper
Adagio Non Troppo - Adrian Leaper
Allegro - Presto - Adrian Leaper
Andante Un Poco Tranquillo - Allegro - Adrian Leaper

Tracks:

Symphony No.2 Op.16 - 'The Four Temperaments': Allegro collerico - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.2 Op.16 - 'The Four Temperaments': Allegro comodo e flemmatico - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.2 Op.16 - 'The Four Temperaments': Andante malincolico - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.2 Op.16 - 'The Four Temperaments': Allegro sanguinoso - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.3 Op.27 - 'Sinfonia espansiva': Allegro espansiva - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.3 Op.27 - 'Sinfonia espansiva': Andante pastorale - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.3 Op.27 - 'Sinfonia espansiva': Allegretto un poco - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.3 Op.27 - 'Sinfonia espansiva': Finale: Allegro - C. Nielsen

Tracks:

Symphony No.1 In G Minor, Op.7: Allegro orgoglioso - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.1 In G Minor, Op.7: Andante - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.1 In G Minor, Op.7: Allegro comodo - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.1 In G Minor, Op.7: Finale: Allegro con fuoco - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.6 - 'Sinfonia semplice': Tempo guisto - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.6 - 'Sinfonia semplice': Humoreske: Allegretto - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.6 - 'Sinfonia semplice': Proposta Seria: Adagio - C. Nielsen
Symphony No.6 - 'Sinfonia semplice': Theme With Variations: Allegro - C. Nielsen

Customer Reviews:

Nielsen's two masterworks and succesful interpretations.......2003-08-13

Nielsen's immortal Symphony No. 4 was written during The First World War years (1916). And Symphony No. 5 was written after the war. Because of, these symphonies tells crisis about the war. Also, about Symphony 4, according to Nielsen, "Music is life" and music, like life, "Inextinguishable".

And, I think, this recording is very succesful. Especially, in Symphony 4, solos of the two set timpani (these solos are difficult for timpanists) are very good. The woodwinds (in the 2nd movement) are very soft and nice. The quality of sound is excellent.

I think, this CD can buy whitout hesitate. Highly recommended for all Nielsen fans.

Capable, but there is something missing............1999-08-15

The most telling things about these performances are the 'effects' or novelties that Nielsen puts in these two symphonies. In the fourth, it is those two timpani in the last movement-they have splendid fire here and are spectacularily performed. The other is that infernal snare drum in the first movement of the 5th-to be played as if "all costs to disrupt the progress of the orchestra". Most snare drummers are content just to use the head of the drum, but why not use rimshots, and why not hit the side of the drum or even the stand?? The unnamed snare drummer does all of this and is the most menacing that I have heard. The problem is the aftermath! The orchestra hardly swamps the snare drum as it does in other performances (Blomstedt especially). The sense of catharsis is lacking. In the last movement of the 5th, the pace is just too slow. The menacing fugue is much too tame to recieve its full effect. The 4th symphony should blaze more, here it just simmers. Sound quality is excellent. Considering the relative success of the other releases in this series by Leaper, I would suggest having another go at these symphonies. For now, investigate Martinon, Jarvi and Blomstedt for the 4th and Blomstedt and Bernstein for the 5th. Then you can go to these performances and determine what is missing.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Dragonfly

Jascha Silberstein. Live Performance, Volume 2

Frostbite

Atlantic Suite/Suite P.E.I./Tributes

Item [Import]

Greatest Hits

In a Soulful Mood [Import]

George Crumb: A Haunted Landscape / William Schuman: Three Colloquies for Horn & Orchestra - New York Philharmonic / Arthur Weisberg / Zubin Mehta

Generation Y

Free

In Utero [Explicit Lyrics]

Exitante Ritmos De [Import]

El Leon [Limited Edition] [Import]

Blues Music blues-music-25

Democracy