wimpel69
02-07-2016, 12:22 PM
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Although Finland's extraordinary Jean Sibelius may be foremost among Nordic composers, his contemporary, Carl Nielsen -
best known for six highly original symphonies and simple popular songs -- holds an honored place as Denmark's foremost
post-Romantic musical ambassador, and has found considerable acclaim amongst musicians and audiences alike.
A painter by profession, Nielsen's father spent as much or more energy on his secondary activities as a violinist, and it was
in this way that young Carl received his first musical instruction. At 14 Carl auditioned for a position with a military wind
ensemble at Odense (he was hired as a bugler, despite his lack of formal training on the instrument). During a visit to
Copenhagen in 1883, Nielsen was introduced to composer Niels W. Gade, who suggested that the young musician enroll
at the Conservatory for serious studies. During Nielsen's three years at the Conservatory (1884-1886) his primary subjects
were violin and theory, and at no time did he actually receive formal instruction in composition. Nevertheless, in 1888 his
Suite for Strings, Op.1 received a successful debut in Copenhagen.
In 1889 Nielsen was hired as a violinist at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, a position he retained until 1905 (though
in 1891 he journeyed to Paris, where he met and married Danish sculptress Anne Marie Brodersen). During the 1890s
Nielsen composed prolifically, and much of his output was put into print. By 1903 he had signed a contract with the
Wilhelm Hansen publishing firm in Copenhagen, effectively ending his tenure with the Royal Theatre (though he would
not officially resign for two more years). His career as a conductor began in 1908 when he accepted a staff position
with the Royal Theatre Orchestra. From 1916 until his death in 1931 (of heart disease), he taught at the Royal
Danish Conservatory.
Nielsen's music is highly individual in both content and construction, although only the symphonies and the three
concertos (violin, flute, and clarinet) have earned places in the repertory outside Denmark (where many of his
choral pieces have become part of the national heritage). Each of the three concertos is a worthy contribution to
its instrument's literature, though perhaps the Clarinet Concerto deserves the most attention. While starting out
from the perspective of Classical form and harmony, his music later developed into an "extended" tonal and even
atonal language, born of his highly expressive melodic style.
Like his colleague Sibelius, Nielsen poured his finest material into the symphonic mold. From the early First
Symphony of 1892 (which is one of the first such works to begin and end in different keys), to the famous Fourth
Symphony ("The Inextinguishable," a reference to the enduring power of both life and music), each is a noble
testament to a remarkable man's view of the world around him.
Finland's Jean Sibelius is perhaps the most important composer associated with nationalism in music and
one of the most influential in the development of the symphony and symphonic poem. Sibelius was born in southern
Finland, the second of three children. His physician father left the family bankrupt, owing to his financial
extravagance, a trait that, along with heavy drinking, he would pass on to Jean. Jean showed talent on the
violin and at age nine composed his first work for it, Rain Drops. In 1885 Sibelius entered the University of
Helsinki to study law, but after only a year found himself drawn back to music. He took up composition studies
with Martin Wegelius and violin with Mitrofan Wasiliev, then Hermann Csillag. During this time he also became
a close friend of Busoni. Though Sibelius auditioned for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, he would come
to realize he was not suited to a career as a violinist.
In 1889 Sibelius traveled to Berlin to study counterpoint with Albert Becker, where he also was exposed to
new music, particularly that of Richard Strauss. In Vienna he studied with Karl Goldmark and then Robert
Fuchs, the latter said to be his most effective teacher. Now Sibelius began pondering the composition of the
Kullervo Symphony, based on the Kalevala legends. Sibelius returned to Finland, taught music, and in June
1892, married Aino J�rnefelt, daughter of General Alexander J�rnefelt, head of one of the most influential
families in Finland. The premiere of Kullervo in April 1893 created a veritable sensation, Sibelius thereafter
being looked upon as the foremost Finnish composer. The Lemmink�inen suite, begun in 1895 and premiered
on April 13, 1896, has come to be regarded as the most important music by Sibelius up to that time.
In 1897 the Finnish Senate voted to pay Sibelius a short-term pension, which some years later became a lifetime
conferral. The honor was in lieu of his loss of an important professorship in composition at the music school, the
position going to Robert Kajanus. The year 1899 saw the premiere of Sibelius' First Symphony, which was a
tremendous success, to be sure, but not quite of the magnitude of that of Finlandia (1899; rev. 1900).
In the next decade Sibelius would become an international figure in the concert world. Kajanus introduced several
of the composer's works abroad; Sibelius himself was invited to Heidelberg and Berlin to conduct his music. In
March 1901, the Second Symphony was received as a statement of independence for Finland, although Sibelius
always discouraged attaching programmatic ideas to his music. His only concerto, for violin, came in 1903. The
next year Sibelius built a villa outside of Helsinki, named "Ainola" after his wife, where he would live for his
remaining 53 years. After a 1908 operation to remove a throat tumor, Sibelius was implored to abstain from
alcohol and tobacco, a sanction he followed until 1915. It is generally believed that the darkening of mood in
his music during these years owes something to the health crisis.
Sibelius made frequent trips to England, having visited first in 1905 at the urging of Granville Bantock. In 1914
he traveled to Norfolk, CT, where he conducted his newest work The Oceanides. Sibelius spent the war years in
Finland working on his Fifth Symphony. Sibelius traveled to England for the last time in 1921. Three years later
he completed his Seventh Symphony, and his last work was the incidental music for The Tempest (1925). For
his last 30 years Sibelius lived a mostly quiet life, working only on revisions and being generally regarded as the
greatest living composer of symphonies. In 1955 his 90th birthday was widely celebrated throughout the world
with many performances of his music. Sibelius died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1957.
Music Composed by
Carl Nielsen
Jean Sibelius
Conducted by
John Storg�rds
Played by the
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
"...For me this set was brilliantly played, expertly shaped and recorded in exhilarating sound:
in short, a revelation. Previously, my touchstone for these works had been Blomstedt’s Danish RSO
version, but now Storg�rds has more than surpassed these for me, the excitement of his readings
making me hear these works in a new way. This isn’t just an anniversary plod through Nielsen:
it’s a proper exploration, so join the explorers and prepare to be challenged."
Musicweb
“… a masterly reading of the Fifth … The BBC Philharmonic players respond to their principal guest
conductor superbly: the woodwind with well-characterised phrasing, notably clarinettist John
Bradbury in the fifth; the strings with perfect discipline in Nielsen’s challenging outbursts. The
Chandos recording maintains clear internal balance throughout … “
BBC Music Magazine
“… As to the sound of this set, I think it is the best recorded of the cycle we have ever had… the
sheer excellence of capturing the Sibelian sonority is exemplary. So too is the playing of the orchestra
who surely benefited from having performed the cycle live (with broadcasts) before taking it to the
studio. The players seem to have absorbed the music into their bones… Storg�rds achieves wonders
in the most enigmatic works and never gives less than his best in the others. Among Finnish cycles
this ranks highly…”
Music Opinion Quarterly
"...this is a fine and distinctive set from an orchestra playing consistently at somewhere near its
best and conducted by a Sibelian of stature ... it should be investigated by all who wish to delve
deeper into a symphonic cycle whose riches seem ever more inexhaustible."
International Record Review
Source: Chandos Records (my albums)
Format: FLAC, DDD Stereo, RAR files
File Sizes: 923 MB / 926 MB (incl. covers & booklets)
Provider: MEGA
Please reply in this thread to get the FLAC links. Personal messages will be ignored.
Also, please add to my reputation if you've downloaded and enjoyed the music
Limited sharing period. Front covers & booklets included. Please do not share further!
Also, please add to my reputation if you've downloaded and enjoyed the music
Limited sharing period. Front covers & booklets included. Please do not share further!
Although Finland's extraordinary Jean Sibelius may be foremost among Nordic composers, his contemporary, Carl Nielsen -
best known for six highly original symphonies and simple popular songs -- holds an honored place as Denmark's foremost
post-Romantic musical ambassador, and has found considerable acclaim amongst musicians and audiences alike.
A painter by profession, Nielsen's father spent as much or more energy on his secondary activities as a violinist, and it was
in this way that young Carl received his first musical instruction. At 14 Carl auditioned for a position with a military wind
ensemble at Odense (he was hired as a bugler, despite his lack of formal training on the instrument). During a visit to
Copenhagen in 1883, Nielsen was introduced to composer Niels W. Gade, who suggested that the young musician enroll
at the Conservatory for serious studies. During Nielsen's three years at the Conservatory (1884-1886) his primary subjects
were violin and theory, and at no time did he actually receive formal instruction in composition. Nevertheless, in 1888 his
Suite for Strings, Op.1 received a successful debut in Copenhagen.
In 1889 Nielsen was hired as a violinist at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, a position he retained until 1905 (though
in 1891 he journeyed to Paris, where he met and married Danish sculptress Anne Marie Brodersen). During the 1890s
Nielsen composed prolifically, and much of his output was put into print. By 1903 he had signed a contract with the
Wilhelm Hansen publishing firm in Copenhagen, effectively ending his tenure with the Royal Theatre (though he would
not officially resign for two more years). His career as a conductor began in 1908 when he accepted a staff position
with the Royal Theatre Orchestra. From 1916 until his death in 1931 (of heart disease), he taught at the Royal
Danish Conservatory.
Nielsen's music is highly individual in both content and construction, although only the symphonies and the three
concertos (violin, flute, and clarinet) have earned places in the repertory outside Denmark (where many of his
choral pieces have become part of the national heritage). Each of the three concertos is a worthy contribution to
its instrument's literature, though perhaps the Clarinet Concerto deserves the most attention. While starting out
from the perspective of Classical form and harmony, his music later developed into an "extended" tonal and even
atonal language, born of his highly expressive melodic style.
Like his colleague Sibelius, Nielsen poured his finest material into the symphonic mold. From the early First
Symphony of 1892 (which is one of the first such works to begin and end in different keys), to the famous Fourth
Symphony ("The Inextinguishable," a reference to the enduring power of both life and music), each is a noble
testament to a remarkable man's view of the world around him.
Finland's Jean Sibelius is perhaps the most important composer associated with nationalism in music and
one of the most influential in the development of the symphony and symphonic poem. Sibelius was born in southern
Finland, the second of three children. His physician father left the family bankrupt, owing to his financial
extravagance, a trait that, along with heavy drinking, he would pass on to Jean. Jean showed talent on the
violin and at age nine composed his first work for it, Rain Drops. In 1885 Sibelius entered the University of
Helsinki to study law, but after only a year found himself drawn back to music. He took up composition studies
with Martin Wegelius and violin with Mitrofan Wasiliev, then Hermann Csillag. During this time he also became
a close friend of Busoni. Though Sibelius auditioned for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, he would come
to realize he was not suited to a career as a violinist.
In 1889 Sibelius traveled to Berlin to study counterpoint with Albert Becker, where he also was exposed to
new music, particularly that of Richard Strauss. In Vienna he studied with Karl Goldmark and then Robert
Fuchs, the latter said to be his most effective teacher. Now Sibelius began pondering the composition of the
Kullervo Symphony, based on the Kalevala legends. Sibelius returned to Finland, taught music, and in June
1892, married Aino J�rnefelt, daughter of General Alexander J�rnefelt, head of one of the most influential
families in Finland. The premiere of Kullervo in April 1893 created a veritable sensation, Sibelius thereafter
being looked upon as the foremost Finnish composer. The Lemmink�inen suite, begun in 1895 and premiered
on April 13, 1896, has come to be regarded as the most important music by Sibelius up to that time.
In 1897 the Finnish Senate voted to pay Sibelius a short-term pension, which some years later became a lifetime
conferral. The honor was in lieu of his loss of an important professorship in composition at the music school, the
position going to Robert Kajanus. The year 1899 saw the premiere of Sibelius' First Symphony, which was a
tremendous success, to be sure, but not quite of the magnitude of that of Finlandia (1899; rev. 1900).
In the next decade Sibelius would become an international figure in the concert world. Kajanus introduced several
of the composer's works abroad; Sibelius himself was invited to Heidelberg and Berlin to conduct his music. In
March 1901, the Second Symphony was received as a statement of independence for Finland, although Sibelius
always discouraged attaching programmatic ideas to his music. His only concerto, for violin, came in 1903. The
next year Sibelius built a villa outside of Helsinki, named "Ainola" after his wife, where he would live for his
remaining 53 years. After a 1908 operation to remove a throat tumor, Sibelius was implored to abstain from
alcohol and tobacco, a sanction he followed until 1915. It is generally believed that the darkening of mood in
his music during these years owes something to the health crisis.
Sibelius made frequent trips to England, having visited first in 1905 at the urging of Granville Bantock. In 1914
he traveled to Norfolk, CT, where he conducted his newest work The Oceanides. Sibelius spent the war years in
Finland working on his Fifth Symphony. Sibelius traveled to England for the last time in 1921. Three years later
he completed his Seventh Symphony, and his last work was the incidental music for The Tempest (1925). For
his last 30 years Sibelius lived a mostly quiet life, working only on revisions and being generally regarded as the
greatest living composer of symphonies. In 1955 his 90th birthday was widely celebrated throughout the world
with many performances of his music. Sibelius died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1957.
Music Composed by
Carl Nielsen
Jean Sibelius
Conducted by
John Storg�rds
Played by the
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
"...For me this set was brilliantly played, expertly shaped and recorded in exhilarating sound:
in short, a revelation. Previously, my touchstone for these works had been Blomstedt’s Danish RSO
version, but now Storg�rds has more than surpassed these for me, the excitement of his readings
making me hear these works in a new way. This isn’t just an anniversary plod through Nielsen:
it’s a proper exploration, so join the explorers and prepare to be challenged."
Musicweb
“… a masterly reading of the Fifth … The BBC Philharmonic players respond to their principal guest
conductor superbly: the woodwind with well-characterised phrasing, notably clarinettist John
Bradbury in the fifth; the strings with perfect discipline in Nielsen’s challenging outbursts. The
Chandos recording maintains clear internal balance throughout … “
BBC Music Magazine
“… As to the sound of this set, I think it is the best recorded of the cycle we have ever had… the
sheer excellence of capturing the Sibelian sonority is exemplary. So too is the playing of the orchestra
who surely benefited from having performed the cycle live (with broadcasts) before taking it to the
studio. The players seem to have absorbed the music into their bones… Storg�rds achieves wonders
in the most enigmatic works and never gives less than his best in the others. Among Finnish cycles
this ranks highly…”
Music Opinion Quarterly
"...this is a fine and distinctive set from an orchestra playing consistently at somewhere near its
best and conducted by a Sibelian of stature ... it should be investigated by all who wish to delve
deeper into a symphonic cycle whose riches seem ever more inexhaustible."
International Record Review
Source: Chandos Records (my albums)
Format: FLAC, DDD Stereo, RAR files
File Sizes: 923 MB / 926 MB (incl. covers & booklets)
Provider: MEGA
Please reply in this thread to get the FLAC links. Personal messages will be ignored.
Also, please add to my reputation if you've downloaded and enjoyed the music
Limited sharing period. Front covers & booklets included. Please do not share further!