Classical Source (UK)

OUR Recordings specialize in Danish music and performers, usually recorded in very high-definition sound, and here we have Denmark’s greatest composer’s own arrangements of three of his works played by Danes. Those used to be able to access multiple recordings of the works might ask why he bothered; forgetting that back then it was usually to introduce them to people who might never hear them in concert and promoters.
If you don’t read the program notes first you might be confused why all of the works are played on two pianos, when Nielsen wrote the Symphony for four hands and one instrument. The performers explain that this gave them the chance to use a sonorous Fazioli for the lower part, a Steinway for the upper and make more independent use of the pedals.
After all of that what matters is how it sounds. First the Saul & David pieces are more sonorous, because they were arranged for two pianos, but irrespective of the piece they almost sound like different works. In the Symphony the transparency exposes inner parts, Nielsen’s unique harmonies, chromaticism, occasional echoes of Grieg and Sibelius and what Robert Simpson called ‘the outward growth of the mind’s scope and the expansion of life that comes from it’. Yes the opening might lack the arresting, jarring power of the original and the reduction cannot adequately recreate the Andante pastorales marvelous refrain for soprano and baritone, but this makes for fascinating listening.
The performances are very fine, but you can’t help but feel that great pianists such as Argerich and Pletnev who sometimes play together would have brought more tension, drive, power and expressive largesse to bear.
OUR very kindly provided an LP and DXD master, the former cut from the latter and I downloaded the DSD512 version. The DXD is excellent and nicely recreates the thankfully short reverberation time of the hall and the instruments’ different timbres within a wide dynamic range. As ever though the DSD is even more natural sounding; the LP very much more so. Rob Pennock, November 2024 https://www.classicalsource.com/cd/espansiva/