Ron S

Nielsen, An Imaginary Journey to the Faroe-Islands / Symphony No. 4 / Pan and Syrinx Sibelius, The Dryad / En Saga Alexander Gibson, Scottish National Orchestra (Chandos)

Indeed! And the palpable energy of live performances.

Shostakovich, Symphonies Nos. 1 and 7 Leonard Bernstein, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)

Sibelius, Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5 Alexander Gibson, Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Chandos)

Martinu, String Quartet No. 7 / Quartet for clarinet, french horn, cello, and side drum / Quartet for oboe, violin, cello, and piano / Mazurka-Notturno for oboe, two violins, and cello / Nonetto Prazak Quartet (string quartet), Czech Nonet and associated soloists (Praga)

Mendelssohn, Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 Leonard Bernstein, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)

Debussy, String Quartet Ravel, String Quartet Vlach Quartet (Supraphon)

Martinu, Double Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano, and Timpani / The Frescoes of Piero della Francesca Charles Mackerras, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra (Supraphon/Denon)

This was the first complete Nielsen symphony cycle, if I recall correctly (at least outside of Denmark), and is still very highly regarded from what I've heard and read. I currently have 4 complete Nielsen symphony cycles in my collection, including this one. At its current low price in this Alto release, I figured it was worth picking up.

Currently making my way through this classic cycle: Nielsen, Symphonies Nos. 1-6 Ole Schmidt, London Symphony Orchestra (alto/Unicorn)

Sibelius, The Complete Tone Poems Alexander Gibson, Scottish National Orchestra (Chandos)

Still, Symphonies Nos. 4 and 5 / Poem for Orchestra John Jeter, Fort Smith Symphony (Naxos)

Sibelius, Symphonies Nos. 1 and 4 Alexander Gibson, Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Chandos)

Still, Wood Notes / Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3 John Jeter, Fort Smith Symphony (Naxos)

Mahler, Symphony No. 1 Rafael Kubelik, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (live recording, November 2, 1979) (audite)

Still, In Memoriam / Africa (Symphonic Poem) / Symphony No. 1 "Afro-American" John Jeter, Fort Smith Symphony (Naxos)

Haydn, String Quartets, Op. 76, Nos. 1-6 Tatrai Quartet (Hungaroton)

Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, Vienna Philharmonic, Joan Sutherland (soprano), Marilyn Horne (alto), James King (tenor), Martti Talvela (bass), Vienna State Opera Chorus (Decca Japan)

Elgar, Introduction and Allegro / Serenade in E minor / Elegy / Sospiri Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis / Fantasia on "Greensleeves" John Barbirolli, Sinfonia of London, Allegri String Quartet, New Philharmonia Orchestra (EMI)

Most of you have probably already seen this article about and interview of legendary Contemporary engineer Roy DuNann concerning the origins of the Contemporary "sound," but for those who haven't yet seen it: https://www.stereophile.com/interviews/402roy/index.html As porcy62 pointed out, the Black Hawk sessions weren't recorded by DuNann--it was Howard Holzer--but this article helps to explain how Contemporary got such phenomenal sound. Thanks! I should have taken the time to actually pull them off the shelf to refresh my memory.

As I recall, the first 4 volumes of the CD editions matches the contents of the 4 volumes of the original LPs, and CD volume 5 consists of takes that were not included on the original LPs. And agreeing with everyone else here, the recording quality is simply stunning. Close your eyes, and you are back there in the Black Hawk in 1959--like having a time machine.

Seem to be on a Nielsen kick these past few weeks, so listening again to this one: Nielsen, Symphonies Nos. 4 and 5 Sakari Oramo, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (BIS)

Yeah, I was actually thinking of the 5 separate CDs designated volumes 1-5 and issued by Contemporary/Fanatasy as part of the old OJC series, so technically not a box set. I never bought that PD box set, since I already had the 5 original Contemporary CDs.

Nielsen, Symphonies Nos. 4 and 5 Michael Schonwandt, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (Dacapo)

Saint-Saens, Symphony No. 3 / Bacchanale from "Samson and Delilah" / French Military March / Danse macabre / Carnival of the Animals Eugene Ormandy, E. Power Biggs (organ, symphony), Philadelphia Orchestra, Miscellaneous classical stars, e.g., Entremont, Tortelier, Ma, etc. (Carnival) (Sony)