Syms 1 & 4

"Music is life, and like life itself, music is inextinguishable," said the Danish national composer Carl Nielsen (1865-1931). Raised in the Danish countryside as the son of a poor folk musician, Nielsen's indomitable courage and infinite curiosity helped him develop into one of the greatest symphonists of the 20th century. This acclaimed series of Nielsen recordings, featuring the New York Philharmonic and their music director Alan Gilbert, has now reached the 1st and 4th symphonies, the former of which has never previously been performed - not to say recorded - by the New York Philharmonic.