Nielsen Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4, conducted by Thomas Dausgaard, has been nominated for a Grammy© award in the category of Best Orchestral Performance. Aaron Jay Kernis Violin Concerto, conducted by Ludovic Morlot with soloist James Ehnes, is also nominated for Best Classical Instrumental Solo and Best Contemporary Classical Composition.
President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan shared, “We are so proud of Ludovic Morlot, Thomas Dausgaard, Aaron Jay Kernis and James Ehnes for their compelling work, beautifully captured by our Grammy-winning recording engineer Dmitriy Lipay, that led to this recognition from the Recording Academy. It’s an exciting moment for this organization to celebrate the achievements of our current Music Director, Ludovic Morlot, now in his final season with us, and to witness our artistic growth and reputation continuing under our incoming Music Director, Thomas Dausgaard.”
Richard Ginell of the Los Angeles Times wrote, “The Seattle Symphony leads all orchestras with three nominations — two for its present music director, Ludovic Morlot, in Aaron Jay Kernis’ traditionally shaped Violin Concerto with soloist James Ehnes (in the classical instrumental solo and contemporary composition categories), and one for its future music director, Thomas Dausgaard, in Nielsen’s Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 (orchestral performance), a strong opening entry for a complete Nielsen cycle.”
The Seattle Symphony announced in October 2017 that Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard will become the orchestra’s next Music Director, beginning in the 2019–2020 season. Dausgaard will succeed current Music Director Ludovic Morlot whose tenure concludes after the 2018–2019 season.
Thomas Dausgaard’s latest Seattle Symphony Media live recording of Nielsen’s Symphonies No. 3, “Sinfonia espansiva,” and No. 4, “The Inextinguishable,” marks the beginning of his long-awaited cycle of the great Danish composer’s human and majestic symphonies. In addition to the Seattle Symphony, Nielsen’s Symphony No. 3 features soprano Estelí Gomez and baritone John Taylor Ward.
The Seattle Times review of the Fourth Symphony from that performance stated, “Dausgaard underscored the drama in the mighty outbursts from nearly every section; elegant descending passages in thirds, broad unison statements, mysteriously hushed string passages and a blazing finale.”
“Full of dynamism, instrumental color and expressive range, and they bespeak a close and productive working relationship.” – San Francisco Chronicle
“..this Seattle Symphony recording of Symphonies No. 3 and 4 could well be the first installment of what will eventually be hailed as the Nielsen cycle of the 21st century.” – Stereophile
“While there have been other fine recorded performances of Nielsen’s Fourth, Dausgaard and the Seattle Symphony, combining virtuosic playing with the flying by the seat of your pants abandon of a live performance, give us one that ranks right up there with the best of them.” – Ludwig van Toronto
“Bracing and thrilling coupling of Nielsen’s Third and Fourth Symphonies” – Gramophone
“Dausgaard’s second Seattle disc – the start of a new cycle of the six Carl Nielsen symphonies – adds further evidence that this partnership is a keeper.” – Classical Voice North America