Recording Review #1: Nifty Nielsen

 

Nielsen: Violin Concerto, Op. 33; Symphony No. 4 ("The Inextinguishable"), Op. 29. James Ehnes, Violin; Edward Gardner, Conductor; Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Chandos CHSA 5311. ISBN: 0095115531129.

This is not exactly a new recording, having been released one year ago. But as I am reviewing the next disc in Chandos's new Carl Nielsen symphony cycle soon for Classical Candor, I thought it propitious to begin my write-ups here with the series' excellent first installment. For excellent it is, all around. Both soloist and conductor understand Nielsen in a way that some others nowadays apparently don't. This music requires energy and clarity. And while it's sometimes quite moving, too much "syrup" spoils things. In other words, treating these works like just more late German Romantic fare is to act against their nature. (For example, see here.) 

The performance of the Violin Concerto is among the best I've ever heard. It's in turns exuberant and tender, while always sharply rendered. Ehnes plays magnificently in every way, with a mixture of deft virtuosity and well-judged timing. Gardner supports him wonderfully, and leads a balanced orchestra whose woodwinds in particular skillfully dispatch the heightened roles Nielsen gives them. All is accomplished without obscuring the soloist. By my count this is the second recording of the Violin Concerto produced by Chandos. The first has long been in my collection: violinist Kim Sjogren with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, led by Michael Schønwandt (CHAN 8894). It is a fine recording which, though lacking some of the Ehnes/Gardner/BPO energy, radiates at least as much warmth. Both options are good, but now I may just prefer the newer one. If the classical music world were just, Nielsen's Violin Concerto would be performed far more often as the great, if quirky, work that it is.

This "Inextinguishable" Symphony is similarly exciting. Gardner and the BPO definitely get its character right. (Character states in Nielsen are all-important.) Here is a conductor who doesn't get bogged down in the slow spots, while embracing tastefully brisk tempi in the quicker stretches. And once again the BPO's woodwinds acquit themselves especially admirably; I particularly loved the second movement, where their colors come through beautifully. The timpani battle in the finale is suitably thrilling. There are plenty of good recordings of this symphony available already, but this one holds its own even in such company. I'm excited to hear the rest of the series. We certainly have an auspicious beginning. 

Highly Recommended