Search - Kevin McMillan, Carl Nielsen, Herbert Blomstedt :: Nielsen: Symphonies no 1-3 / Blomstedt, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Actually I'd give it six stars if possible

a.krag@mail.dk | 04/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"as a Dane I cannot think of anything more radically Scandinavian than the musical language spoken in Espansiva. The composer described the finale allegro as an homage to work and the healthy development of daily life. If you have no intention of visiting this region, do listen to the fourth movement of this marvelously well performed symphony, because by the end of that movement you've seen it all in color. A swedish conductor, Herbert Blomstedt, and the San Francisco Symphony Orch. just serve to show that the world belongs to all of us."

Some of the 20th Century's Finest Symphonism

Karl Henning | Boston, MA | 08/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great sound, great performances, great music. (Long version follows.)For years, all I knew of Nielsen's work was the brilliant clarinet concerto. I can't give a good answer to the question, "Why haven't you sought ought his other music sooner?" Especially now that I have heard all six symphonies, and the other concerti.This two-disc set I have found resiliently re-visit-able, from the impressively-assured first symphony, to the effulgent Sinfonia espansiva. And particularly the colorful "Aladdin" Suite, which features the Western orchestra producing marvelous Mid-Eastern effects."

Excellent Symphonic Cycle with Great Bonuses

Ed Luhrs | Long Island, NY USA | 07/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I also wrote a review for 4-6, the second companion volume to 1-3, but I'd just like to emphasize that the first volume and the second volume go hand in hand. You get to hear Nielsen's evolving ideas as a symphonic writer by having both of them. On this disc, I was astounded by Symphony #3, "Espansiva," which shares a spot with #4 "The Inextinguishable" as my two favorite Nielsen works. The 4-6 recording has great choral and string music in addition to the symphonies, and this recording has "Maskerade" and the "Alladin" Suite, the latter of which is amazing fun--has a different character than the symphonies in that it is lighthearted and indicative that Nielsen did write really colorful melodies and danceable rhythms. Overall, a fine variety of expression with top notch orchestral output by Blomstedt and the San Francisco Symphony."