NIELSEN: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 6. Royal...

NIELSEN: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 6. Royal Danish Orchestra, conducted by Paavo Berglund. RCA Victor Red Seal 60427-2-RC. Berglund closes his Nielsen cycle on a generally stronger note than he began it, particularly in a vigorous, life-affirming performance of the Third Symphony. Yet he steers clear of the wild extremes of the schizophrenic, still-little-known Sixth, treading cautiously through passages of black pessimism and weird humor. The Royal Danes’ main strength is excellent winds, while the strings have their messy moments.