The Royal Danish Orchestra’s performing history stretches back to 1448, making it the oldest orchestra in the world, with Carl Nielsen counted amongst its distinguished former members. His 16 years of experience as one of the orchestra’s second violinists helped shape him as a composer, and it was this ensemble that introduced his symphonies to the world. From the ‘imminent storm of genius’ of the First Symphony to the disarming outlandishness of the Sixth, Nielsen’s symphonies are recognised as among the greatest in their genre, heard here in recordings made with a league of conductors whose bond with Denmark and Nielsen’s music is second to none.
Disc 1
Nielsen, Carl
Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 7, FS 16
1 I. Allegro orgoglioso 09:19
2 II. Andante 06:26
3 III. Allegro comodo 08:14
4 IV. Finale: Allegro con fuoco 08:55
Symphony No. 2, Op. 16, FS 29, "The Four Temperaments"
5 I. Allegro collerico 10:35
6 II. Allegro comodo e flemmatico 05:29
7 III. Andante malincolico 11:44
8 IV. Allegro sanguineo 07:56
Disc 2
Symphony No. 3, Op. 27, FS 60, "Sinfonia espansiva"
1 I. Allegro espansivo 11:40
2 II. Andante pastorale 09:51
3 III. Allegretto un poco 06:26
4 IV. Finale: Allegro 09:30
Symphony No. 4, Op. 29, FS 76, "The Inextinguishable"
5 I. Allegro 10:58
6 II. Poco allegretto 04:51
7 III. Poco adagio quasi andante 09:22
8 IV. Allegro 08:23
Disc 3
Symphony No. 5, Op. 50, FS 97
1 I. Tempo giusto - 12:28
2 I. Adagio non troppo - 09:34
3 II. Allegro - Presto - 08:53
4 II. Andante un poco tranquillo - Allegro 07:17
Symphony No. 6, FS 116, "Sinfonia semplice"
5 I. Tempo giusto 12:18
6 II. Humoreske: Allegretto 03:56
7 III. Proposta seria: Adagio 05:11
8 IV. Tema con variazioni 10:56
Disc 4
Clarinet Concerto, Op. 57, FS 129
1 Allegretto un poco - 08:34
2 Poco adagio - 05:18
3 Allegro non troppo - 07:34
4 Allegro vivace 04:42
Maskarade (Masquerade), FS 39: Overture
5 Maskarade (Masquerade), FS 39: Overture 04:07
Total Playing Time: 04:00:27
