Fanfare 1 (US)

Five stars: World premier recordings of Nielsen’s 4 hand piano music, played to perfection.
Saul and David: Act 4 Prelude; Battle Music. Symphony No. 3, “Sinfonia Espansiva”, op. 27. JØRGENSEN-NIELSEN Højby Rifle Club March (arr. Hyldig)  Rikke Sandberg, Kristoffer Hyldig (pn)  OUR RECORDINGS 8.226923 (45:44 DXD)

This is a recording that had to be made. The discovery of Nielsen’s manuscript of a piano 4 hands arrangement of his Symphony No. 3 gives a different view of the music – likely as the composer first heard it. It is surmised that he would have used this version with his duo partner, Henrik Knudsen, to promote the Symphony to prospective conductors and music directors. This version was mentioned in some of Rikke Sandberg’s early research, and she eventually found the manuscript in the Royal Library in Copenhagen. There were also the two sections from Saul and David that were arranged by Nielsen specifically for piano 4 hands, while Knudsen had arranged the rest of the score for solo piano. Finally, in the archives of the Tivoli Amusement Park in Copenhagen, the pianists came across Nielsen’s fragmentary manuscript to the 4 hand Højby Rifle Club March. They theorize that this little march was actually the only composition by Nielsen’s father, Niels ‘Painter’ Jørgensen and the version here is the result of Hyldig’s arrangement of Nielsen’s manuscript.
The pianists are not shy about admitting to touching up the piano parts with some additional material from the orchestral scores. Seldom in my experience is an orchestral reduction for piano duet made for concert performances. They originated in the pre-recording eras as a far more utilitarian way to learn an orchestral score or perhaps to enjoy playing it in a home setting. There are few recollections of note about when, where and by whom many of these arrangements were performed. The Rite of Spring being played for friends by 4 hands – those of Stravinsky and Debussy – is an exception here. Another use for a 4 hands version by the composer allowed the reconstruction of a lost conductor’s score (along with a set of discovered parts) for Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 1. I have learned and performed that Symphony, and yes I also touched up some of the 4 hand writing from the orchestral score – nothing I would not share with the composer if it were possible.
Though it is labeled “Works for 4 Hand Piano”, this release is performed on two pianos. This allows for individual pedaling and avoids the inevitable hand collisions and very awkward hand choreography that can be necessary in complex romantic orchestral music. All pieces are world premier recordings (in the 4 hand versions by the composer). A Fazioli was used for the secondo parts because of its rich and round bass, while a Steinway was used for the primo parts for its sparkling and beautiful upper registers. From the booklet pictures it appears that Sandberg and Hyldig alternate pianos and parts. They have a strong, note-perfect ensemble and a common interpretation that allows for the most quiet melodic places as well as big virtuosic climaxes. Excellent recorded piano sound and a substantial, detailed booklet complete this must have release. James Harrington (07.08.24)
Five stars: World premier recordings of Nielsen’s 4 hand piano music, played to perfection.