Search - Nielsen, Salonen, Swedish Radio Symphony :: Symphonies 3 & 6

Salonen's Natural Affinity for the Symphonies of Carl Nielse

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 01/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If there has ever been a more satisfying recording of Nielsen's exquisitely beautiful 'Sinfonia espansiva' (Symphony No. 3) this listener has yet to hear it. Salonen finds all the irrepressible drive in the first movement and follows that with the most introspective and meditative Andante pastorale movements imaginable. The soloists (soprano Pia-Maria Nilsson and baritone Olle Persson) who intone the wordless melismatas have just the right amount of organic inclusion in the orchestral fabric to make the voice simply another orchestral instrument. The final two movements are equally well conveyed: Salonen never rushes the tempi and allows each idea to emerge and develop with care. The majesty of the Finale is royal and stately (there is a bit of the Elgar sound here...) and contains many of the compositional methods that were to mature in the final three symphonies.



Sensitively coupled with the Third Symphony is Nielsen's final symphony, the Symphony No. 6 'Sinfonia semplice'. In great contrast to the Romantic 3rd, the 6th returns to a neo-classical vein. In his words, Nielsen wanted his final symphony to be created in 'the same simple delight in pure sound as the a cappella composers'. Salonen plays this sparkling work with amazing attention to detail while always keeping each movement with a keen arching form.



The orchestra is the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the sound is excellent. This orchestra is not only polished but also very attentive to Salonen's vision of these symphonies. As fine as these recordings are it is gratifying to report that subsequent performances in the concert hall have shown the constant musical maturity of this exceptional conductor. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, January 06







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The best Nielsen 3rd ever?

Kurt Kohler | Corvallis, OR United States | 01/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I happened to hear this Nielsen 3rd on KUSC not long ago and ordered it immediately. If Salonen's isn't the best performance ever, it's certainly the best one I've ever heard. And the 6th is just as good. Sony is nuts to have ever let this go out of print. Highly recommended!"

Pure, and Faithful to the Score

Tom Pitsis | New South Wales | 07/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Esa-Pekka Salonen brings us a modernistic and literal reading of these great symponies (3&6). Not in evidence here is the sentimentality and bloatedness that the 'star' conductors sometimes re-compose into Nielsen's works. If you love these works please try these versions."