BaL 19.12.15 - Nielsen: Symphony no. 6

[BBMmk2]

I think there's a germ of an idea for a radio programme there, Bbm! An expert compares extracts from various recordings of a piece... coming up with a suggestion for the best one to choose. Could be called... oh, I don't know... 'Constructing a Collection'...? Could catch on!

I quite like that idea, Cali! :) Cheers! A Spitfire for you! :)

[Daniel]

I was reminded of the uncanny similarities above all else and very specifically to Shostakovich 15... The repeated opening notes on solo glockenspiel: utterly identical in spirit... I thought they were actually the same note, but it's a D in the Nielsen and an E an octave plus a note higher in DSCH15. You get half measure in the latter, only two notes rather than 4, but in each case, introducing a sparsely-orchestrated, whimsical, apparently 'simple' first movement, soon taken over by other things; the 'haunted toyshop' themes; the bleak interludes; the accent on eccentric percussion... And in general, both pieces' overall 'enigmatic' nature seems similarly positioned at the end of the respective symphonic career of each man. Only Nielsen ends with that face-pulling bassoon raspberry, while DSCH seems to have attained some rareified other world, with his rattling and ringing and that final transcendent bell chime...

Excellent exegesis!

And I agree the similarity is striking with DSCH 15, though to my ears the 'whimsical' in Nielsen doesn't seem to have the latent exasperation that it does in DSCH. And as you say the Shostakovich ends somewhat in numinous territory, which somehow casts a retrospective meaning on the symphony. I do like the Nielsen but find a big difference between them in emotional depth, for want of a better expression.

p.s Haven't heard the programme and can't comment on different recordings, the Blomsted, SFSO recording is the one I know.

[Nick Armstrong]

I do like the Nielsen but find a big difference between them in emotional depth, for want of a better expression.

I agree, and reflecting I think similar differences in their whole (symphonic) output.

I remain very curious as to whether DSCH (who was 25 when Nielsen died) knew CN's 6th...

Cheers! A Spitfire for you! :)

Cheers ... I don't mind if I do!

[Bryn]

On the afternoon of April 26th this year, Sakari Oramo conducted the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in both Nielsen's 6th and Shostakovich's 15th in the final concert of a Sibelius and Nielsen festival. The blurb for the festival refers to influences on Sibelius and Nielsen, but in this case it would seem the influence might be seen the other way round. Shostakovich was no musical hermit, and may well have perused the score of the Sinfonia Semplice (possibly even prior to composing his 4th) even if he did not actually hear a performance of the work. Does anyone here know of any performance history of the Sinfonia Semplice in the USSR during Shostakovich's lifetime?

[Nick Armstrong]

Does anyone here know of any performance history of the Sinfonia Semplice in the USSR during Shostakovich's lifetime?

Second the question!

[gradus]

A first rate example of BAL by Mr Johnson (again).

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Second the question!

IIRC (I don't have a copy) - in the CUP Shostakovich Studies (edited by David Fanning) there is reference made to the similarities between the the "snare drum" theme of Nielsen #5 and the climax of the First movement of DSCH's #5 (prominent snare drum driving rhythm over minor third oscillation in the celli & Basses in both cases) and some reference to Nielsen performances in the Soviet Union in the 20s and 30s. Can't help more than this, but I'll have a look to see if I can find the notes I made when I read the book.)

Cali is right about the similarities between N#6 and S#15 - hitherto, it was always DSCH#9 that I thought of as most similar to the Semplice.

[visualnickmos]

A first rate example of BAL by Mr Johnson (again).

Absolutely. One of the aspects I found very useful, was that the extracts played were quite long, thereby giving more than a mere 'flavour'; they were excellently chosen and brilliantly timed, enabling the listener to make valid judgments and form pertinent impressions linking 'hand in glove' with Mr Johnson's well-crafted narrative.

Top BaL.

[Nick Armstrong]

Worth perhaps reminding the company of the wonderful Carl Nielsen 150th Anniversary website, with a host of resources, invitingly presented...

... including the opportunity to listen to his works while following the score. The 6th Symphony can be found here, and flicking digitally through the pages of the score is a pleasure in itself:

http://www.carlnielsen.org/en/works?page=1

[umslopogaas]

I have one LP version that no-one seems to have mentioned: Philadelphia Orchestra cond. Eugene Ormandy, on CBS SBRG 72456. Dated 1966. As far as I recall, it is very good. I also have the Ole Schmidt version on LP. I dont really want another, though I suppose it would be good to have one on CD.

[antongould]

Absolutely. One of the aspects I found very useful, was that the extracts played were quite long, thereby giving more than a mere 'flavour'; they were excellently chosen and brilliantly timed, enabling the listener to make valid judgments and form pertinent impressions linking 'hand in glove' with Mr Johnson's well-crafted narrative.

Top BaL.

Totally agree IMVVHO he is a top man .....

[techniquest]

I haven't noticed any mention of the recording by Theodore Kuchar with the Janacek Phil' from the cycle on Brilliant Classics. Is it truly awful, or is the omission just an oversight?

[BBMmk2]

My pianist friend on The Book of Face, Martin Roscoe, really alluded to the cause of the Jon Storgards recording, so on his recommendation I bought it. I quiote like this one, as it happens. I can't remember what the reviewer thought, though.

[Nick Armstrong]

Storgards... I can't remember what the reviewer thought, though.

Nor can I !

I do have a tendency to get me Storgards muddled with me Sondergards and me Schønwandts (not to mention me Dausgards)

I do remember that the Royal Stockholm Orchestra under Oramo (at one point I misheard Stephen Johnson calling him Sir Gary Oramo ) was the runner-up by a short head...

[aeolium]

I haven't noticed any mention of the recording by Theodore Kuchar with the Janacek Phil' from the cycle on Brilliant Classics. Is it truly awful, or is the omission just an oversight?

I seem to recall jayne lee wilson being very enthusiastic about this set on these boards a fair while back. I don't think SJ mentioned it. It sounded as though there were a good number of very fine recordings, not least the old LSO/Schmidt and the RSPO/Oramo which SJ thought highly of. I don't think Blomstedt's other recording (which I have) with the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra was played either.