Carl Nielsen amazingly cheap on Dacapo label (6 symphonies $9)

[Bob Stern]

Nielsen is Denmark's greatest composer, and Dacapo is the Danish national record label.

 

Promo code NIELSEN150 gives you 33% off all Nielsen recordings until Dec 31. Even before the discount, prices on box sets are very low, especially the somewhat older recordings.

 

Nielsen catalog:

Carl Nielsen - biography & discography - Dacapo Records

 

Symphonies & Concertos by New York Philharmonic conducted by Alan Gilbert, 4 CD-equivalents in 24/88 FLAC for $32 ($48 less 33%).

Carl Nielsen: The Symphonies & Concertos (6.200003) - Dacapo Records

 

Symphonies by Michael Schoenwandt conducting Danish National Sym, 1999-2001, 16/44.1 FLAC, $9 after discount!!

http://www.dacapo-records.dk/en/recording-carl-nielsen---complete-symphonies--3-cd-box-set.aspx

 

To get the chamber music in 24/96 FLAC, you have to buy individual albums at $12 each. I have only one: String Quartets vol. 1. I love the two quartets in this album (#1 op 13 & #4 op 44), but I'm not crazy about the quintet.

 

Alternatively, the same performances are collected in a 6 CD set of chamber music in 16/44.1 FLAC for only $27 after discount:

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 2 - Chamber and Instrumental Works (8.206003) - Dacapo Records

 

In the symphonies, Gilbert has much better SQ, and his performance is notable for delicacy and detail, but it has a certain decorum that shortchanges Nielsen's modern style. I prefer Schoenwandt and Bernstein, which are spikier and more vibrant, but those of you averse to modernist classical music probably would prefer Gilbert.

[ChrisW]

Thanks for posting that, I love Nielsen. I'd had an email from Dacapo but this gave the impression that the discount was just for CDs. I decided to go for the Gilbert Symphonies and Concertos high res download - £22.41 GBP, a great bargain. I've got the Blomstedt recordings, so it will be interesting to compare.

[rodrigaj]

Thank you. The Gilbert Studio Master is outstanding. I downloaded the set yesterday and feel it is as good as it gets in terms of sound quality and musicianship. "Strong, beautiful and independent" (quote: Alan Gilbert).

 

I love the fact that Dacapo charges less for the downloads. This is as it should be. Harmonia Mundi, OTOH, charges more, offers discounts on box sets, but not on the box sets that are downloaded. I do not see the logic of that.

[mkrzych]

When I looked at the credits for the particular recordings it says that it was recorded in 24/96kHz, so why DaCapo offering it in 24/88.2? There is also another resolution available in 24/192kHz, which could sound as the upsample version, am I right? What symphonies are you recommend for the non Nielsen expert though?

[Bob Stern]

What symphonies are you recommend for the non Nielsen expert though?

3, 4 & 5 definitely are considered his best and most popular symphonies.

[Bob Stern]

"Pan and Syrinx" is his most famous non-symphonic orchestral work. It is soft and pretty, unlike the symphonies. You can buy it as a single track from one of the albums of miscellaneous orchestral works.

[mkrzych]

"Pan and Syrinx" is his most famous non-symphonic orchestral work. It is soft and pretty, unlike the symphonies. You can buy it as a single track from one of the albums of miscellaneous orchestral works.

 

Thanks Bob. I am just thinking to pick up one or two symphonies, but not decided yet which one. Also curious about the resolutions which DaCapo is offering.

[ChrisW]

If you want to try Nielsen, this album of Nielsen's orchestral music from Dacapo is excellent:-

 

Carl Nielsen: Orchestral Music (6.220518) - Dacapo Records

 

For the symphonies, I'd agree with Bob and start with 3, 4 and 5.

[nicholasg]

Thanks Bob for sharing. Buying the Gilbert cycle, Maskarade and the single Orchestral Music disc.

 

Thanks again,

Nicholas