Carl Nielsen: Complete Symphonies (Box Set) [Box set]

Carl Nielsen (Composer), Michael Schønwandt (Conductor), Danmarks Radiosymfoniorkester (Orchestra), Inger Dam-Jensen (Performer), Poul Elming (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Inger Dam-Jensen, Poul Elming
• Orchestra: Danmarks Radiosymfoniorkester
• Conductor: Michael Schønwandt
• Composer: Carl Nielsen
• Audio CD (July 16, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Marco Polo
• ASIN: B00006463K
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #505,096 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No. 1 in G minor, FS 16 (Op. 7): Allegro orgoglioso

2. Symphony No. 1 in G minor, FS 16 (Op. 7): Andante

3. Symphony No. 1 in G minor, FS 16 (Op. 7): Allegro comodo - Andante sostenuto - Tempo 1

4. Symphony No. 1 in G minor, FS 16 (Op. 7): Finale: Allegro con fuoco

5. Symphony No. 6 ('Sinfonia semplice'), FS 116: Tempo giusto

6. Symphony No. 6 ('Sinfonia semplice'), FS 116: Humoresque - Allegretto

See all 8 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Symphony No. 3 ('Sinfonia espansiva'), FS 60 (Op. 27): Allegro espansivo

2. Symphony No. 3 ('Sinfonia espansiva'), FS 60 (Op. 27): Andante pastorale

3. Symphony No. 3 ('Sinfonia espansiva'), FS 60 (Op. 27): Allegretto un poco

4. Symphony No. 3 ('Sinfonia espansiva'), FS 60 (Op. 27): Finale: Allegro

5. Symphony No. 2 ('De fire temperamenter'), FS 29 (Op. 16): Allegro collerico

6. Symphony No. 2 ('De fire temperamenter'), FS 29 (Op. 16): Allegro comodo e flemmatico

See all 8 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Symphony No. 4 ('Det uudslukkelige'; 'Inextinguishable'), FS 76 (Op. 29): Allegro

2. Symphony No. 4 ('Det uudslukkelige'; 'Inextinguishable'), FS 76 (Op. 29): Poco allegretto (8 bars after tempo marking)

3. Symphony No. 4 ('Det uudslukkelige'; 'Inextinguishable'), FS 76 (Op. 29): Poco adagio quasi andante

4. Symphony No. 4 ('Det uudslukkelige'; 'Inextinguishable'), FS 76 (Op. 29): Con anima - Allegro

5. Symphony No. 5, FS 97 (Op. 50): 1. Tempo giusto -

6. Symphony No. 5, FS 97 (Op. 50): 1. Adagio

See all 10 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great interpretations of Nielsen's symphonies, August 16, 2004

By 

LJM (Earth) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Carl Nielsen: Complete Symphonies (Box Set) (Audio CD)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-Crafted Performances, January 20, 2009

By 

Hegelian (Concord, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carl Nielsen: Complete Symphonies (Box Set) (Audio CD)

When I first listened to this set, I was not enthusiastic. But after several re-hearings, I now appreciate how good these thoughtful and detailed performances are. Tempos are on the slow side, which suits the careful shaping that makes these symphonies sound different. I would still pick the well-played Bloomstedt/San Francisco performances as a first choice, but if you love these symphonies and want a new take on them, this is it.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but not the best, May 14, 2009

By 

Long-time listener "Will" (Wichita KS, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carl Nielsen: Complete Symphonies (Box Set) (Audio CD)

This is a consistently good set of readings, yet I cannot feel that any of the individual performances are equal to the best by other conductors. The 5th is somewhat slow in tempo and lacking forward movement and tension, and a burble by a horn player at a critical moment in the second movement should have been edited out. Having said that, the conductor does well with the later movements, sustaining forward movement and drama as well as anyone. Likewise, his 1st is good, and is an accessible introduction to the work, but simply not the best; the same can be said of his 4th, in which the tempos are well chosen but the performance isn't managed with the same degree of fire and drama that others find in it. So all in all, a cycle with consistently good performances, but Blomstedt, and especially Rozhdestvensky, would really be first choices for a complete set. (Along with the BIS set that mixes performances by Chung and Jarvi.)