Nielsen’s six symphonies are the backbone of his compositional career. His bold and individual melodies and fresh-sounding ideas marked him out immediately as an individual voice among the new music of the day. The concertos were written for his friends, the members of the Copenhagen Wind Quintet. Only two were completed before his death, the Flute Concerto for Gilbert Jespersen and the Clarinet Concerto for Aage Oxenvad but in both his aim was to reflect the personalities of the players, the refined and fastidious Jespersen and the irascible but warm-hearted Oxenvad. Making their first appearance on Decca CD, these recordings were made between 1952 and 1954 and have long been considered of immense historical and musical value. Newly remastered for this release, the fascinating liner notes are provided by Lyndon Jenkins.
CARL NIELSEN
Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 7 (FS16)
Symphony No. 5, Op. 50 (FS97)
Danish State Radio Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Jensen
Helios Overture, Op. 17 (FS32)
Danish State Radio Symphony Orchestra
Erik Tuxen
Flute Concerto (FS119)
Gilbert Jespersen, flute
Thomas Jensen
Clarinet Concerto, Op. 57 (FS129)
Ib Erikson, clarinet
Danish State Radio Symphony Orchestra
Mogens Wöldike
Maskarade: Suite (excerpts) (FS39)
Danish State Radio Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Jensen
JOHANNES SCHULTZ
Serenade for strings
Danish State Radio Symphony Orchestra
Eric Tuxen
Recording Producers: John Culshaw (Symphony No. 1, Helios, Schultz: Serenade); James Walker (Symphony No. 5, Flute Concerto, Clarinet Concerto, Maskarade)
Recording Location: Danish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen, June 1952
(Helios, Schultz: Serenade), July 1952 (Symphony No. 1), April 1954 (Symphony No. 5, Flute Concerto, Clarinet Concerto, Maskarade)