This album features three of Carl Nielsen's notable works performed by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. These pieces highlight significant moments in Nielsen's career and his association with the orchestra.
The Overture to Masquerade is from Nielsen's comic opera, initially accepted by the Royal Opera in Copenhagen in 1905, even though it was unfinished. Nielsen cleverly disguised the incomplete third act, and the overture was composed during rehearsals, completed just a week before the premiere. The overture has become a popular concert piece, often performed by Danish orchestras on international tours.
Symphony No. 3, Sinfonia Espansiva, composed between 1910-11, quickly gained recognition beyond Denmark. Nielsen conducted its premiere in Copenhagen in 1912, and it was well-received in Amsterdam shortly after. The symphony was described by Nielsen as expressing strong tension in the first movement, which is replaced by idyllic calm in the second. The symphony established Nielsen's reputation internationally.
The Clarinet Concerto, first performed privately in 1928, was tailored to the prominent Danish clarinettist Aage Oxenvad. The public premiere in Copenhagen received mixed reviews due to its intense musicality. Despite initial reception, the concerto has become an essential part of Nielsen's repertoire, showcasing his intricate and thoughtful composition style.
This recording was made in the Gothenburg Concert Hall, renowned for its exceptional acoustics, confirmed by scientific studies and interviews with leading conductors. The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1905, has a rich history of collaboration with renowned composers and conductors, contributing to its esteemed position in Scandinavian music.
