Symphonies No. 1 & 5 / Flute & Clarinet Concertos / etc

Nielsen's six symphonies are the backbone of his compositional career. His bold and individual melodies and fresh-sounding ideas marked him out immediately as an individual voice among the new music of the day. The concertos were written for his friends, the members of the Copenhagen Wind Quintet. Only two were completed before his death, the Flute Concerto for Gilbert Jespersen and the Clarinet Concerto for Aage Oxenvad, but in both his aim was to reflect the personalities of the players, the refined and fastidious Jespersen, and the irascible but warm-hearted Oxenvad. Making their first appearance on Decca CD, these recordings were made between 1952 and 1954 and have long been considered of immense historical and musical value. Newly remastered for this release, the fascinating liner notes are provided by Lyndon Jenkins.