Niels Gade - Symphonies Vol. 4 (Christopher Hogwood)

Information

Composer: Niels Gade

• (01) Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 5 'Paa Sjølunds fagre Sletter'
• (05) Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 25

Ronald Brautigam, piano
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Christopher Hogwood, conductor

Date: 2001
Label: Chandos
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%2010026

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Review

This excellent disc completes Christopher Hogwood's sterling Niels Gade symphony cycle on a high note. In fact, these are Gade's two most interesting symphonies. The First has a "Nordic" cut to its themes that the composer largely abandoned in later works, and the scoring of the finale, with solo timpani and some bold brass writing, also stands out as unusually adventurous. Mendelssohn loved this work, and it's easy to see why; indeed, it's easy to prefer it to much Mendelssohn, but that's another story altogether! The Fifth Symphony includes a delicious obbligato piano solo, played with great sensitivity and sparkle by Ronald Brautigam on a fine-sounding early-19th-century Erard instrument that perfectly suits the music.

Hogwood's period-instrument credentials have worked to his advantage all through this series, and they pay particular dividends here. The timpanist's use of hard sticks, the clarity of the wind writing, the brass that cut through the string textures but never overwhelm, the lively tempos in the allegros, and the flowing, never soggy slow movements--all of these qualities manifest themselves at their finest in these performances. It may be that in some respects Neeme Järvi on BIS offers more animal high spirits, but Hogwood's combination of vivacity and finesse seems totally at one with the spirit of this finely crafted music. The Danish National Symphony clearly relishes his approach and plays this music as well as it can be. Gorgeous, natural sonics round out an absolutely irresistible package. [8/9/2003]

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/gade-symphonies-vol-4
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Mar03/Gade_1_5.htm
http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/c/cha10026a.php
https://www.amazon.com/Gade-Symphonies-Vol-Niels/dp/B00007JGRF

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Niels Gade (22 February 1817 – 21 December 1890) was a Danish composer and teacher. Gade began his career as a violinist with the Royal Danish Orchestra. After his 1st symphony was positively received and conducted by Felix Mendelssohn, Gade himself moved to Leipzig and befriending Mendelssohn, who had an important influence on his music. He returned to Copenhagen in 1848 and became director of the Copenhagen Musical Society and Copenhagen Conservatory. Among Gade's works are 8 symphonies, a violin concerto, chamber music and a number of large-scale cantatas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niels_Gade

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Christopher Hogwood (10 September 1941 – 24 September 2014) was an English conductor, harpsichordist, writer, and musicologist. Founder of the early music ensemble the Academy of Ancient Music (1973), he was an authority on historically informed performance and a leading figure in the early music revival of the late 20th century. Although best known for baroque and early classical repertoire, he also performed contemporary music, especially the neo-baroque and neoclassical schools, including many works by Stravinsky, Martinů and Hindemith. Hogwood also made many solo recordings of harpsichord works.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Hogwood

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