Celebrating Nielsen: Pride & Power

We have invited the Hallé to give the second half of our Nielsen cycle with its music director Mark Elder. Nielsen might have written his First Symphony while he was working as a second violinist, but there’s nothing bashful about it – he even marked the score “Proudly”! It bursts with energy and freshness. His mighty Fifth Symphony is even more powerful – a gripping musical battle between order and chaos, triggered by one of the all-time great drum solos. It’s one of the greatest symphonies of the 20th century, so it’s only fitting that our guests are playing it alongside two dramatic masterpieces by Nielsen’s hero – Ludwig van Beethoven.