In 1994, RCA Victor released a complete set of one of the 20th-century’s greatest symphonic cycles, the six masterpieces by Carl Nielsen, Denmark’s leading composer (the great English musicologist Deryck Cooke called Nielsen’s Fifth the greatest symphony of the century, and many would agree).

The RCA Nielsen cycle, now available again in Sony Classical’s Masters series, was made in 1987–89 by the Royal Danish Orchestra – which the composer himself had played in as a violinist and later conducted – under the great Finnish maestro Paavo Berglund. It was widely acclaimed for its insight and integrity. Gramophone’s reviewer wrote: “Berglund secures playing of no mean polish and sophistication from the Danish orchestra. The RCA recording has excellent body and presence.”