Special offer. Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3
Lucy Hall (soprano), Marcus Farnsworth (baritone)
London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
Davis approaches both works with driving energy...this recording is an exhilarating display of the life-force at full blast in both composer and conductor.
Special offer. Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3
Lucy Hall (soprano), Marcus Farnsworth (baritone)
London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
Purchase product
Davis approaches both works with driving energy...this recording is an exhilarating display of the life-force at full blast in both composer and conductor.
About
With this eagerly awaited recording of Symphonies 2 & 3, Sir Colin Davis completes his enlightening Nielsen symphony cycle. The first title in the series, Symphonies Nos.4 & 5, was Editor's Choice in Gramophone and Orchestral Choice of the Month in BBC Music Magazine. The second, with Symphonies 1 & 6 was awarded CD of the Week in the Sunday Times.
Nielsen's second symphony was inspired by a naïve but vivid painting representing the four temperaments of the human personality. Adopting these defining characters for each of the symphony's movements Nielsen realised a sonic depiction of emotion. His third symphony, the most openly Danish of his symphonies, portrays spaciousness, power and vitality and is considered his greatest international achievement.
Contents and tracklist
- Sir Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra, Lucy Hall, Marcus Farnsworth
Awards and reviews
May 2013
Davis approaches both works with driving energy...this recording is an exhilarating display of the life-force at full blast in both composer and conductor.
9th February 2013
This third and final CD from the series reminds us why Davis is so attuned to Nielsen: the music’s Beethovenian conflict brings out the visceral dynamism in his personality. The opening and closing movements of these two symphonies bristle with vitality, and even in the slower music...Davis finds metaphysical fire and majesty, reinforced by the London Symphony Orchestra’s meaty tone.
March 2013
The LSO responds with relish … Davis’s readings are a notable achievement, and one can only admire his having taken on a major cycle this late in his career
3rd March 2013
with this set he establishes himself as a Nielsenian of the first rank...Uplifting, inspired stuff.
9th February 2013
There’s none of the angst and anger that came later in Nielsen’s work, but plenty of rugged, boisterous, quirky and sometimes beautifully rustic music, which the London Symphony Orchestra deliver with a terrific punch in these concert recordings.
