Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931)
Symphony No.4, Op.29 Inextinguishable [34:02]
Symphony No.5, Op.50 [35:43]
London Symphony Orchestra/Ole Schmidt
ADD stereo, 1974
ALTO ALC 1236 [69:45]
This pairing was last issued under the Regis
imprint when it swept the board. It derives from the Bob Auger/Bob Simpson
project which first emerged in a single vinyl boxed set from Unicorn on KPM
7001-3. The whole set has at various times been issued on CD and has invariably
been eulogised just as it deserves (review
review).
It first came out on CD on Unicorn-Kanchana UKCD 2000-2002. Initially this
set came with a spoken introduction to and analysis of each of the symphonies.
These analogue sessions are quite simply magnificent and I am hard put to
criticise the sound and the artistic approach, even now, some four decades
later. If you are interested in the present two symphonies then there is no
real reason for you to go looking elsewhere.
The heavenly bodies must have been in a perfect alignment during those Auger
sessions because the sound is natural yet virile. I say this whether the score
is at full tilt or is quietly rhapsodising as in the second movement of the
Fourth. Tension is tightly sustained in the opening of the Fifth Symphony.
As I have said previously, the Fifth is humanity to the Fourth's nature
and it is given a wonderful outing by Schmidt. Listen to how well he terraces
the dynamic contours and echoing terrain in the first movement! In the radiant
adagio the horns bell out in unblushing glory (tr. 6 2:20). The imprecations
of the side-drum are rapped out in all their finally impotent malevolence.
It’s such a pity that we did not get more from the fiery Schmidt – parallels
here with another awkward cuss conductor wisely favoured by Alto’s sister
label, Musical Concepts: Wyn Morris in his Beethoven
cycle. Schmidt can be heard inexpensively on Regis in truly inspiriting
accounts of Borodin
2 and Sibelius
5 (also Alto).
Not to be missed – do not be put off by the low price. Only Chung on Bis comes
anywhere near when it comes to Nielsen.
The liner-note is a fine thing with a useful article on Ole Schmidt (1928-2010)
and the music is profiled with David Dougherty having re-edited the original
Regis essay.
Rob Barnett
Not to be missed – do not be put off by the low price.
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