Luisi deserves the lion’s share of the credit. Instead of walking a fine line between the contrasting elements in Nielsen’s music, Luisi fully embraces those contrasts. At the same time, he fuses diverse episodes into a symphonic whole through the seamlessness of his transitions. This set is a major achievement, and listening to it was an unalloyed pleasure.

These performances, recorded in Copenhagen’s Koncertsalen, are thrilling enough to turn you into a Nielsen addict (he has never quite had the attention he deserves), performed by the Danes and Luisi with zest, wit and restless freedom.