NIELSEN THE SYMPHONIES - eClassical

my little Humoresque, which is the second movement of the symphony, and in
the last movement, a theme with variations, where everything is very jolly. In
the first and third movements there are more serious, troubling things, but as a
whole I have tried to make the symphony as lively and gay as possible.’
The Copenhagen critics had a hard time trying to find out where Nielsen was
heading with his new symphony. Polite respect for the composer celebrating his
birthday, rather than true understanding, coloured their reactions. The Sixth was
the only one of his symphonies that remained unpublished until after the com -
poser’s death.
© Knud Ketting 2001–03, rev. 2010
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra is widely regarded as one of Europe’s
leading orchestras and enjoys an enviable position as a cultural flagship for the
BBC and for Scotland. Formed in 1935 – and now based at Glasgow City
Halls – the orchestra appears in venues throughout Scotland, is a core part of the
BBC Proms in London, and performs regularly at the Edinburgh Inter na tion al
Festival. As befits its busy schedule of broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, the orchestra
has the widest repertory of almost any ensemble in the UK. Its many commercial
recordings have received prizes, including four Gramophone Awards.
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra is Scotland’s leading supporter of
new music and through its education programme has established strong links
with local communities. Abroad, it has appeared in many of the great musical
centres of Europe and has toured the USA, South America and been twice to
China, most recently in May 2008.
Donald Runnicles became the orchestra’s chief conductor in September
2009. He succeeded Ilan Volkov (chief conductor from 2003 until 2009, who
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