John Nelson

Classical

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Top Songs By John Nelson

Listen to Beethoven's 5 Secrets by The Piano Guys, Lyceum Philharmonic Orchestra & John Nelson, see lyrics, music video & more!

Beethoven's 5 SecretsThe Piano Guys, Lyceum Philharmonic Orchestra & John Nelson

Listen to Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 2: Chorus. "Hallelujah" by Choir of The English Concert, John Nelson & The English Concert, see lyrics, music video & more!

Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 2: Chorus. "Hallelujah"Choir of The English Concert, John Nelson & The English Concert

Listen to Su le sponde del Tebro, chamber cantata for soprano, 2 violins, trumpet & continuo: II. Recitativo by Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John T. Kulowitsch & Daire Fitzgerald, see lyrics, music video & more!

Su le sponde del Tebro, chamber cantata for soprano, 2 violins, trumpet & continuo: II. RecitativoKathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John T. Kulowitsch & Daire Fitzgerald

Listen to Samson, oratorio, Act 3, HWV 57: Let the Bright Seraphim by Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald & Orchestra of St. Luke's, see lyrics, music video & more!

Samson, oratorio, Act 3, HWV 57: Let the Bright SeraphimKathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald & Orchestra of St. Luke's

Listen to Mio Tesoro, per te moro, for voice, trumpet & continuo (Arie con tromba sola No. 6) by Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald & Marc Goldberg, see lyrics, music video & more!

Mio Tesoro, per te moro, for voice, trumpet & continuo (Arie con tromba sola No. 6)Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald & Marc Goldberg

Listen to Eternal Source of Light Divine (Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74) by Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney & Daire Fitzgerald, see lyrics, music video & more!

Eternal Source of Light Divine (Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74)Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney & Daire Fitzgerald

Listen to Si suoni la tromba, for voice, trumpet & continuo (Arie con tromba sola No. 1) by Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald & Marc Goldberg, see lyrics, music video & more!

Si suoni la tromba, for voice, trumpet & continuo (Arie con tromba sola No. 1)Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald & Marc Goldberg

Listen to Su le sponde del Tebro, chamber cantata for soprano, 2 violins, trumpet & continuo: III. Sinfonia - Aria by Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John T. Kulowitsch & Daire Fitzgerald, see lyrics, music video & more!

Su le sponde del Tebro, chamber cantata for soprano, 2 violins, trumpet & continuo: III. Sinfonia - AriaKathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John T. Kulowitsch & Daire Fitzgerald

Listen to Su le sponde del Tebro, chamber cantata for soprano, 2 violins, trumpet & continuo: I. Sinfonia - Grave by Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John T. Kulowitsch & Daire Fitzgerald, see lyrics, music video & more!

Su le sponde del Tebro, chamber cantata for soprano, 2 violins, trumpet & continuo: I. Sinfonia - GraveKathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John T. Kulowitsch & Daire Fitzgerald

Listen to Semele HWV 58: The Morning Lark to Mine Accords His Note by John Nelson, English Chamber Orchestra & Kathleen Battle, see lyrics, music video & more!

Semele HWV 58: The Morning Lark to Mine Accords His NoteJohn Nelson, English Chamber Orchestra & Kathleen Battle

Latest Release

Listen to An American in Paris by John Nelson

ALBUMAn American in ParisJohn Nelson

More albums from John Nelson

Listen to Handel: Messiah, HWV 56 by John Nelson & The English Concert

ALBUMHandel: Messiah, HWV 56John Nelson & The English Concert

Listen to Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette, H 79 - Cléopâtre, H 36 by Christopher Maltman, John Nelson, Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg, Joyce DiDonato & Cyrille Dubois

ALBUMBerlioz: Roméo et Juliette, H 79 - Cléopâtre, H 36Christopher Maltman, John Nelson, Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg, Joyce DiDonato & Cyrille Dubois

Listen to Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été, Op. 7 - Harold en Italie, Op. 16 by Michael Spyres, Timothy Ridout, Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg & John Nelson

ALBUMBerlioz: Les Nuits d'été, Op. 7 - Harold en Italie, Op. 16Michael Spyres, Timothy Ridout, Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg & John Nelson

Listen to Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust by Coro Gulbenkian, John Nelson, Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg, Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres, Nicolas Courjal, Alexandre Duhamel & Verónica Silva

ALBUMBerlioz: La Damnation de FaustCoro Gulbenkian, John Nelson, Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg, Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres, Nicolas Courjal, Alexandre Duhamel & Verónica Silva

ALBUMBohuslav Martinů, Sergei Prokofiev, Ernő Dohnányi: Cello Concertos [In Memoriam János Starker]János Starker, Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, John Nelson, The Philharmonia & Walter Susskind

ALBUMBel Canto Arias. Rossini, DonizettiVivica Genaux, John Nelson & Orchestre de chambre de Paris

Listen to Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 31 "Paris", 39, 40 & 41 "Jupiter" by Orchestre de chambre de Paris & John Nelson

ALBUMMozart: Symphonies Nos. 31 "Paris", 39, 40 & 41 "Jupiter"Orchestre de chambre de Paris & John Nelson

ALBUMChopin: Concertos pour Piano Nos. 1 & 2Boris Berezovsky, Orchestre de chambre de Paris & John Nelson

Listen to Stadelman, J.: Pity Paid - Kinderszenen - Mr. Natural - Starry Wisdom by Slee Sinfonietta, Movses Pogossian, Magnus Martensson, Jonathan Golove, Stephen Manes, Cheryl Gobbetti Hoffman, Anthony Miranda, John Nelson, Jacob Greenberg & Jon Nelson

ALBUMStadelman, J.: Pity Paid - Kinderszenen - Mr. Natural - Starry WisdomSlee Sinfonietta, Movses Pogossian, Magnus Martensson, Jonathan Golove, Stephen Manes, Cheryl Gobbetti Hoffman, Anthony Miranda, John Nelson, Jacob Greenberg & Jon Nelson

Listen to Beethoven: Symphonies 1-9 by Orchestre de chambre de Paris & John Nelson

ALBUMBeethoven: Symphonies 1-9Orchestre de chambre de Paris & John Nelson

Listen to Polski Nowoczesny (Polish Modern) by The Louisville Orchestra, Robert Whitney & Jorge Mester

ALBUMPolski Nowoczesny (Polish Modern)The Louisville Orchestra, Robert Whitney & Jorge Mester

ALBUMMozart: Wind ConcertosOrchestre de chambre de Paris & John Nelson

ALBUMBerlioz: Benvenuto CelliniJean-François Lapointe, Renaud Delaigue, Laurent Naouri, John Nelson, Joyce DiDonato, Orchestre National de France, Patrizia Ciofi & Gregory Kunde

ALBUMBrahms: Alto Rhapsody/Mahler: Das Lied der Erde etc.Orchestre de chambre de Paris & John Nelson

Listen to Bel Canto Arias by John Nelson & Orchestre de chambre de Paris

ALBUMBel Canto AriasJohn Nelson & Orchestre de chambre de Paris

Listen to Dallas Trumpets by The Dallas Symphony Trumpet Section, Richard Giangiulio, Bert Truax, Thomas Booth, Andrew McCandless, Thomas Stevens, Stanley Friedman, Glen Bell, Charles Berginc, Carol Herrick, John Nelson, Forest W. Yenne, Cameron Chandler, Frank Ticheli, Carl Albach & Harvey Boatright

ALBUMDallas TrumpetsThe Dallas Symphony Trumpet Section, Richard Giangiulio, Bert Truax, Thomas Booth, Andrew McCandless, Thomas Stevens, Stanley Friedman, Glen Bell, Charles Berginc, Carol Herrick, John Nelson, Forest W. Yenne, Cameron Chandler, Frank Ticheli, Carl Albach & Harvey Boatright

ALBUMHandel - Oratorio AriasDavid Daniels, Orchestre de chambre de Paris & John Nelson

Listen to Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream & Ruys Blas Overture by John Nelson, Joyce DiDonato, Orchestre de chambre de Paris & Rebecca Evans

ALBUMMendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream & Ruys Blas OvertureJohn Nelson, Joyce DiDonato, Orchestre de chambre de Paris & Rebecca Evans

ALBUMMendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61 & Ruys Blas Overture, Op, 95John Nelson, Joyce DiDonato & Orchestre de chambre de Paris

ALBUMHandel & Bach: AriasJohn Nelson, Stephanie Blythe, Orchestre de chambre de Paris & Emmanuelle Haïm

ALBUMBerlioz: Te Deum, Op. 22John Nelson, Orchestre De Paris, Marie-Claire Alain & Roberto Alagna

ALBUMPsalms for the Third MilleniumJohn Nelson & Orchestre de chambre de Paris

Listen to Berlioz: Les Nuits D'été, Op. 7 by Susan Graham, John Nelson & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

ALBUMBerlioz: Les Nuits D'été, Op. 7Susan Graham, John Nelson & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

Listen to Schoenfield: 4 Parables, Vaudeville & Klezmer Rondos by Jeffrey Kahane, New World Symphony & John Nelson

ALBUMSchoenfield: 4 Parables, Vaudeville & Klezmer RondosJeffrey Kahane, New World Symphony & John Nelson

Listen to Górecki: Beatus Vir - Totus tuus - Old Polish Music by Nikita Storojew, Prague Philharmonic Chorus, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra & John Nelson

ALBUMGórecki: Beatus Vir - Totus tuus - Old Polish MusicNikita Storojew, Prague Philharmonic Chorus, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra & John Nelson

Listen to Handel: Semele by English Chamber Orchestra, Kathleen Battle, John Aler, Sylvia McNair, John Nelson, Marilyn Horne, Michael Chance & Samuel Ramey

ALBUMHandel: SemeleEnglish Chamber Orchestra, Kathleen Battle, John Aler, Sylvia McNair, John Nelson, Marilyn Horne, Michael Chance & Samuel Ramey

Listen to Baroque Duet by Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, Orchestra of St. Luke's & John Nelson

ALBUMBaroque DuetWynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, Orchestra of St. Luke's & John Nelson

Listen to Bach: Arias for Soprano and Violin by Itzhak Perlman, John Nelson, Kathleen Battle & The Orchestra Of St. Luke's

ALBUMBach: Arias for Soprano and ViolinItzhak Perlman, John Nelson, Kathleen Battle & The Orchestra Of St. Luke's

Listen to Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict by Choeur de l'Opéra de Lyon, John Nelson, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Susan Graham & Jean-Luc Viala

ALBUMBerlioz: Béatrice et BénédictChoeur de l'Opéra de Lyon, John Nelson, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Susan Graham & Jean-Luc Viala

Listen to Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict by Laurence Roy, Catherine Robbin, Philippe Bardy, Philippe Bertin, Enrico Di Giovanni, Sophie Niedergang, Gabriel Bacquier, Valérie Jeannet, Henri Ambert, Gilles Cachemaille, Jean-Paul Racodon, Jean-Luc Viala, John Nelson, Choeur de L'Opéra National de Lyon, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Philippe Magnant, Susan Graham, Sylvia McNair & Vincent Le Texier

ALBUMBerlioz: Béatrice et BénédictLaurence Roy, Catherine Robbin, Philippe Bardy, Philippe Bertin, Enrico Di Giovanni, Sophie Niedergang, Gabriel Bacquier, Valérie Jeannet, Henri Ambert, Gilles Cachemaille, Jean-Paul Racodon, Jean-Luc Viala, John Nelson, Choeur de L'Opéra National de Lyon, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Philippe Magnant, Susan Graham, Sylvia McNair & Vincent Le Texier

Listen to Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Symphony #1 by Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra & John Nelson

ALBUMEllen Taaffe Zwilich: Symphony #1Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra & John Nelson

Listen to Charles Martin Loeffler: Orchestral Works by Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, John Nelson, Jennie Hansen & Neil Rosenshein

ALBUMCharles Martin Loeffler: Orchestral WorksIndianapolis Symphony Orchestra, John Nelson, Jennie Hansen & Neil Rosenshein

Artist Playlists

John Nelson Essentials

The finest moments from the career of US conductor John Nelson who died in March 2025.

About John Nelson

Hometown

Indianapolis, United States of America

Born

1941

Genre

Classical

Conductor John Nelson was noted as a specialist in choral-orchestral music, especially the works of Berlioz. In 1972, Nelson conducted Bizet's Carmen at the New York City Opera and later conducted Britten's Owen Wingrave at the Santa Fe Opera in the work's U.S. premiere. In 1976, Nelson became the conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony. He programmed new music by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and Charles Martin Loeffler, improved the group's sound, transformed it into a 52-week-a-year ensemble, restarted its recording career, and moved it into the Circle Theater in downtown Indianapolis. In 2022, Nelson issued a recording of Berlioz's song cycle Les Nuits d'été, Op. 7, and the viola concerto Harold en Italie, Op. 16. By that time, his recording catalog comprised more than 30 items. Nelson died in Chicago on March 31, 2025; he was 83 years of age.

John Nelson has also released music as a member of Poi Dog Pondering.