Carl Nielsen: Symphonies Nr. 4 & 5 - Herbert Blomstedt, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
XLD | FLAC (tracks) | No Log/cue-sheet | frontcover embedded, seperate High-def JPEG | ~341 Mb
Classical | DDD | Decca
The Symphony No. 4 Op. 29 FS 76, The Inextinguishable was completed in 1916. This symphony is among the most dramatic that Nielsen wrote, featuring a 'battle' between two sets of timpani. Nielsen named his 4th Symphony "The Inextinguishable'. Inextinguishable does not apply to the symphony itself, but rather to 'that which is inextinguishable'. In his notes for the symphony, Nielsen refers to the 'the elemental will to live" ('inextinguishable' is not an exact translation of uudslukkelige, which itself suggests the life-force).
The Symphony No. 5 (Op. 50, FS 97) was completed on 15 January 1922 and first performed in Copenhagen on 24 January 1922 with the composer conducting. It is one of two of Nielsen's six symphonies lacking a subtitle. The Fifth Symphony is noted for its unusual structure - two movements instead of the customary three or four - and for the modernity of its language. As Nielsen's previous symphonies, its subjects are contrast and opposition, concerning the struggle between light and darkness, navigatism and affirmation, violence and humanity.
The composer that Nielsen resembles more than any other as a symphonist is Beethoven. Naturally the idiom is a bit more modern (though firmly tonal and melodic), but there's the same sense of drama, energy, and musical concentration that you find in Beethoven's symphonies. When you listen to Nielsen's music, you can't miss the sense of purpose–the music has a goal and will literally overcome any hurdle to get there. That's exactly what happens in these two splendid symphonies. Herbert Blomstedt has been a forceful proponent of Nielsen's music for his entire career, and he plays with total commitment.
- David Hurwitz (amazon.com)
The recordings of the Nielsen symphonies by Blomstedt with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra won critical acclaim. The recordings were re-issued at a later date in box-sets with different pairings of the symphonies. This one is the original release containing Nr. 4 & 5. Enjoy!
Tracklist:
1. Sym No.4 'The Inextinguishable': Allegro
2. Sym No.4 'The Inextinguishable': Poco Allegretto
3. Sym No.4 'The Inextinguishable': Poco Adagio Quasi Andante
4. Sym No.4 'The Inextinguishable': Con Anima - Allegro
5. Sym No.5: I. Tempo Giusto -
6. Sym No.5: Adagio Non Troppo
7. Sym No.5: II. Allegro -
8. Sym No.5: Presto -
9. Sym No.5: Andante Un Poco Tranquillo -
10. Sym No.5: Allegro
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