Nielsen 1

I heard this work two years ago in the complete cycle which the Halle and CBSO performed in Manchester. I listened to an interview at the time with the conductor Mark Elder who quoted an orchestra member who said the symphony was "not bad for a number one." And it's not. It may be the least of Nielsen's symphonies but it starts with amazing confidence and remains impressive throughout. Apparently Nielsen played in the first performance as one of the second violins. That must be unique in musical history.