Stavanger Symphony Orchestra is releasing a new album featuring Symphony No. 2 and Symphony No. 4 by the Danish composer Carl Nielsen, recorded with the orchestra’s Chief Conductor Andris Poga.
With this release, the orchestra highlights Nordic symphonic music and underscores Nielsen’s central place in music history, in line with the orchestra’s artistic profile.
“After recording an extensive catalogue of Norwegian music over the past 30 years, we at Stavanger Symphony Orchestra have now taken the next step in exploring the Nordic sound. We have done this by recording two of Carl Nielsen’s most well-known symphonies together with Chief Conductor Andris Poga,” says Ilmari Hopkins, Head of the Programme Committee.
In recent years, the orchestra has performed both Nielsen’s Second and Fourth symphonies in concert, and subsequently recorded them in the spring of 2024.
Symphony No. 2, The Four Temperaments (1902) is inspired by the theory of the classical temperaments. Each movement portrays a human character trait, ranging from energetic and outgoing to calm and reflective.
Symphony No. 4, The Inextinguishable (1916) was composed during the First World War. The work centres on vitality and resilience, and is particularly known for its finale featuring two timpani sets playing against each other.
“An important part of the orchestra’s strategy is to work with the Nordic sound and to perform Nordic music. It has been inspiring to immerse ourselves in this part of Danish cultural heritage,” says Hopkins.
