Nielsen: Symphony No. 2 "The Four Temperaments"

I got an unexpected text on Friday, Jan 31, asking if I would learn Carl Nielsen's Symphony No. 2 "The Four Temperaments" for a potential rehearsal with the Oregon Symphony on Wednesday, February 5th. Due to impending weather conditions, it was possible that the guest conductor for the week would have traveling difficulties. And indeed, his flight was canceled the night before the rehearsal, and he was rescheduled to arrive in Portland on Wednesday morning, landing at 9:34am (rehearsal starts at 9:30am). So, I did get to conduct the whole piece and start work on the first movement, until the conductor arrived at the theatre around 10:40am.

I enjoyed learning this piece as best as I could in 4 days. Below is my favorite recording out of the many I perused.

Go hear the amazing Oregon Symphony play this piece (plus Brahms' "Haydn" Variations and Bruch's Scottish Fantasy with concertmaster Sarah Kwak as soloist) on February 7 in Salem and Feb 8, 9 and 10 in Portland. Christian Kluxen conducts. More information and tickets here.