Symphonies Nos 2 & 3
The unique collaboration between Denmark's national recording label Dacapo Records and one of the world's most prominent symphony orchestras, the New York Philharmonic, has come about thanks to a close dialogue with the orchestra's music director, Alan Gilbert.
After eight years as chief conductor of the Royal Swedish Philharmonic in Stockholm, Gilbert has developed a special interest in Scandinavian music. He says of Nielsen's music:
'Carl Nielsen's music comes out of a classic Germanic symphonic tradition, but it's so distinctly Danish! It's very gripping and has a craggy edge to it that is characteristic of life in the high North. I'm sure that Nielsen's time has now come, and I am looking forward to sharing this wonderful music with audiences and CD listeners.'
In June of 2012, The New York Times remarked of the concert performance, 'A pulsing vividly characterized account. . . Mr. Gilbert drew colorful, glittering and full bodied playing from the musicians.' . . . 'Music directors should have personal passions and it is heartening to see Mr. Gilbert turning one of his into a major statement.'