Notes and Editorial Reviews
This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.
Talk about a slam-dunk! This is without doubt the finest collection of Nielsen's short orchestral works currently available. It is perfectly played, brilliantly conducted, and superbly recorded in stereo and SACD formats. You won't hear a more ebullient performance of the Maskerade Overture anywhere. Thomas Dausgaard keeps the tension mounting right through the quiet central episode, and the coda is beyond exciting. The manic eruptions in both An Imaginary Journey to the Faroe Islands and Pan and Syrinx rage with uninhibited impact, but the poetry in the soft passages isn't ever slighted,
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particularly in the latter. The Prelude to Act 2 of Saul and David sounds suitably imposing, while a rousing, joyous account of the Helios Overture closes the program in the most satisfying and contented fashion imaginable.
What makes this disc even more satisfying is the presence of some very rare examples of Nielsen's extensive output of incidental music. Usually we only get to hear Aladdin, or very occasionally the overture to Love and the Poet (but not as well played as here). Willemoes is only a charming couple of minutes long, but the Snefrid Suite and the Hr. Oluf Hand Rider Prelude are more substantial. The former dates from the period of the First Symphony (early 1890s) and finds the composer discovering his personal voice, particularly in terms of harmony. The latter dates from the same period as Maskerade (around 1906), and it's a fully characteristic gem. In all of this music the playing of the orchestra reveals proprietary pride without a trace of complacency or routine. Everything sounds fresh and new, and if you don't love this disc, then--well, never mind. It's just plain irresistible. Might there be a sequel in the offing, with Aladdin, Saga-Drom, and the remaining shorter orchestral works? We can only hope.
-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording
1.
Maskarade, FS 39: Overture by Carl Nielsen
Conductor:
Thomas Dausgaard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1904-1906; Denmark
2.
Maskarade, FS 39: Dance of the Cockerels by Carl Nielsen
Conductor:
Thomas Dausgaard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1904-1906; Denmark
3.
Snefrid, FS 17: Suite by Carl Nielsen
Conductor:
Thomas Dausgaard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1893; Denmark
4.
An imaginary trip to the Faeroe Islands, FS 123 by Carl Nielsen
Conductor:
Thomas Dausgaard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1927; Denmark
5.
Pan and Syrinx, Op. 49 by Carl Nielsen
Conductor:
Thomas Dausgaard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1917-1918; Denmark
6.
Amor og Digteren, FS 150/Op. 54: Overture by Carl Nielsen
Conductor:
Thomas Dausgaard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1930; Denmark
7.
Helios Overture, FS 32/Op. 17 by Carl Nielsen
Conductor:
Thomas Dausgaard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1903; Denmark
Featured Sound Samples
An Imaginary Trip to the Faeroe Islands
Sound Samples
Maskarade (Masquerade), FS 39: Overture
Maskarade (Masquerade), FS 39: Act III: Hanedans (Cockerel's Dance)
Herr Oluf han rider (Master Oluf He Rides), FS 37: Master Oluf Rides, Op. 37: Prelude
Snefrid Suite, FS 17: I. Prelude
Snefrid Suite, FS 17: II. Andante quasi sostenuto
Snefrid Suite, FS 17: III. Postlude: Allegro non troppo
Snefrid Suite, FS 17: IV. Snefrid's Sleep: Andante - Quasi allegretto - Andante
Snefrid Suite, FS 17: V. Funeral Music: Andante sostenuto
Saul og David (Saul and David), FS 25: Act II: Prelude
En fantasirejse til Faeroene (A Fantasy Journey to the Faroes), FS 123: Rhapsodic Overture - A Fantasy Journey to the Faroes, Op. 123
Willemoes, FS 44: Willemoes, Op. 44, Act III: Prelude
Pan og Syrinx (Pan and Syrinx), Op. 49, FS 87: Pan and Syrinx, Op. 49
Amor og Digteren (Cupid and the Poet), Op. 54, FS 150: Amor og Digteren (Cupid and the Poet), Op. 54: Overture
Helios, Op. 17, FS 32: Helios Overture, Op. 17
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