Nielsen: Symphonies no 1-3 / Blomstedt, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Kevin McMillan (Performer), Carl Nielsen (Composer), Herbert Blomstedt (Conductor), San Francisco Symphony Chorus (Orchestra), Nancy Wait Kromm (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Kevin McMillan, Nancy Wait Kromm
• Orchestra: San Francisco Symphony Chorus
• Conductor: Herbert Blomstedt
• Composer: Carl Nielsen
• Audio CD (October 12, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00001X5A0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,262 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #13 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Incidental Music
  • #18 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Modern & 20th Century
  • #20 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Forms & Genres > Symphonies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Symphonic Cycle with Great Bonuses, July 20, 2000

By 

Ed Luhrs (Long Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nielsen: Symphonies no 1-3 / Blomstedt, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (Audio CD)

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.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars actually I'd give it six stars if possible, April 20, 2001

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"[e-mail]" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nielsen: Symphonies no 1-3 / Blomstedt, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (Audio CD)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Part One Of Blomstedt's Great Nielsen Symphony Cycle, April 17, 2002

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nielsen: Symphonies no 1-3 / Blomstedt, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (Audio CD)

This excellent Decca/London two CD set includes Blomstedt's splendid interpretations of Nielsen's first three symphonies and the Aladdin Suite. Those who say that Michael Tilson Thomas is responsible for the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra's stature as an internationally renowned ensemble should hear Blomstedt's recordings with the San Francisco Symphony; his Nielsen symphony cycle is widely acclaimed as among his best. Blomstedt emphasizes the Romantic qualities inherent in these early Nielsen scores, leading the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in brisk, vibrant performances. The sound quality is absolutely first rate for these early digital recordings; I doubt they could be enhanced further with the latest digital image-bit remastering.