Carl Nielsen (1865 - 1931)

composer

Carl August Nielsen was born on 9th June 1865 at Sortelung near Nørre Lyndelse on the island of Funen. His father, who was a painter, also worked as a village musician, and as a boy Carl was already playing in his father's dance orchestra. At the same time he played in the local amateur orchestra, Braga, whose repertoire, besides entertainment and dance music, also included the symphonies of Vienna Classicism. At the age of just fourteen he was engaged as a trombonist in the regimental band in Odense.

Alongside his work as a military musician he played string quartets with his friends and studied Das Wohltemperierte Klavier on his own initiative. From these years came his first real attempts at composition - mainly chamber music works in the Classical style.

Thanks to patrons in Odense, Carl Nielsen had the chance to go to Copenhagen, where he studied at the Royal Academy of Music in 1884-86 with the violin as his main subject and the Joachim pupil Valdemar Tofte as his teacher. He was also taught theory (by J.P.E. Hartmann and Orla Rosenhoff), piano (by Gottfred Matthison-Hansen) and music history (by Niels W. Gade).

After his years at the Academy he continued his theoretical studies with Rosenhoff and in 1888 he felt ready to publish his opus 1, the Little Suite for Strings. The next year he was engaged as violinist in the Royal Orchestra, a position he kept until 1905. In 1890, as recognition of his talent, he was awarded the grant Det Ancker'ske Legat, which enabled him to go on a study trip to the Continent. During this trip, in 1891, he married the sculptress Anne Marie Brodersen, who remained his wife for the rest of his life, although the marriage underwent serious crises in some periods.

In the 1890s Carl Nielsen consolidated his position as one of the country's prominent composers with works like the First Symphony op. 7 (1890-92), the J.P. Jacobsen songs op. 4 and 6 (1891), the violin sonata op. 9 (1895) and the choral work Hymnus amoris (1896-97). The years around the turn of the century brought a further two operas, Saul and David (1898-1901) and Maskarade (1904-06), the last of which quickly gained the status of a Danish national opera.

From 1901 he was granted a Government salary, which meant that he was no longer forced to take private pupils to keep up the family finances. A few years afterwards he also signed a general contract with the publisher Wilhelm Hansen, who published more or less all his works until 1924.

Alongside his composing career Carl Nielsen was to hold several important posts in Danish musical life. In the period 1908-1914 he conducted at the Royal Theatre, then from 1915 until 1927 he conducted the concerts of the society Musikforeningen. In 1915 he was elected to the board of trustees of the Royal Academy, where he also taught theory and composition from 1915 until 1919. Finally he was on the boards of the Danish Composers' Society and the Society for the Publication of Danish Music.

From the earliest works on, Carl Nielsen's compositions were permeated by a Classicist aesthetic which deliberately avoided any element of Late Romanticism. But in the course of the 1910s and 1920s he oriented himself more towards the new currents in European music. Little by little he now worked several modernist elements into his music, but without at any time abandoning his very characteristic personal style. This development is very clear in the last three symphonies, no. 4 (1914-16), no. 5 (1921-22) and no. 6 (1924-25).

Alongside the increasingly modernist instrumental works Carl Nielsen worked, with his friend Thomas Laub for example, to reform the Danish national song tradition. This resulted in a number of collections of simple strophic songs where he deliberately tried to perpetuate the ideals of J.A.P. Schulz' Lieder im Volkston (1784).

Carl Nielsen had a distinctive literary talent which resulted in the childhood memoirs 'Min fynske Barndom' (My Childhood on Funen), which is amazingly objective and unsentimental, and the essay collection 'Levende Musik' (Living Music), where his anti-Romantic aesthetics were clearly expressed.

In later years Carl Nielsen suffered from a weak heart, and he died on 3rd October 1931 after a heart attack, 66 years old.

Live Dates

14/09/2012   New videos: The Nielsen Project
New York Philharmonic's Music Director Alan Gilbert talks about "The Nielsen Project"
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11/09/2012   New York Philharmonic releases new Nielsen series on Dacapo
Dacapo Records has signed a contract with one of the world's most famous symphony orchestras, the New York Philharmonic!
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10/10/2011   Gramophone feature: "Everyones talking about Nielsen"
Complex and contradictory, Nielsen's wide output has been sidelined for more than half a century. But, argues Andrew Mellor from Gramophone, we might at last be on the brink of a major, reputation-shifting Nielsen revival. Read the article here
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16/06/2011   Nielsen goes to New York
One of the world's leading symphony orchestras, the legendary New York Philharmonic, is to record all Carl Nielsen's symphonies and concertos for Dacapo Records.
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10/06/2010   Bent G. recommends
This spring Danish radio listeners have been able to hear a discreet gentleman called Bent G. every Sunday morning in the popular classical programme "Open House". We reveal his identity here, along with three of his Dacapo favourites
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04/03/2013 Fanfare

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
"A mightily impressive recording."
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28/01/2013 American Record Guide

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
"I would not be without this newcomer from New York."
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28/01/2013 Music Web International

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
"This is a disc to have and to hold from this day forth etc."
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08/01/2013 Minnesota Public Radio

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
"There's something about his music — the lushness of the sound, the expansive quality that I think is appropriate for the music, the precision, frankly, that's required." (Alan Gilbert)
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01/12/2012 Berlingske

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
Berlingske - Årets Bedste 2012. "Forbløffende god indføling med fynboens kringlede melodier."
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22/11/2012 Aarhus Stiftstidende

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
6/6 Stars

"New York’erne er forrygende velspillende og klangligt medrivende."
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14/11/2012 Sydsvenskan

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
5/5 Stars

"New Yorks filharmoniker hittar alla de rätta temperamenten.", "Medryckande!"
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03/11/2012 SPIEGEL online

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
"Strömt mit üppiger Klangfülle, spült über Grenzen klassischer Harmonik hinweg und kitzelt die Hörer mit vielfarbiger Instrumentierung."
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01/11/2012 OPUS

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
5/6 Stars

"Gilbert lyckas som få att både förmedla en internationell Nielsen och bevara danskheten."
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23/10/2012 allmusic.com

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
4/5 Stars

"With Dacapo's typically clear sound, this is a fine addition to symphonic libraries"
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20/10/2012 Berlingske Tidende

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
6/6 Stars

"Mødet mellem amerikanernes ældste orkester og danskernes største komponist er en stjernestund fra ende til anden."
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19/10/2012 Weekendavisen

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
"New York Philharmonics indspilninger af Carl Nielsens symfonier og koncerter er en åbenbaring."
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14/10/2012 Jyllands-Posten

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
5/6 Stars

"Suveræne newyorkere får Nielsen til at stråle".
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12/10/2012 Music Web International

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
RECORDING OF THE MONTH - "It’s one of the finest CDs ever produced … period."
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11/10/2012 Audiophile Audition

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
"These symphonies are two of the greatest that the twentieth century has to offer.", "Gilbert’s performance is magnificent."
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10/10/2012 Cinemusical

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
4/4 Stars

"The relaxed atmosphere of these performances brings an almost innate joy in the music making that result in fabulous performances."
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10/10/2012 Politiken

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
5/6 Hjerter

"Der er så meget knald på Alan Gilberts amerikanske Nielsenprojekt, at man sidder med håret blæst helt tilbage (...) spillet er muskuløst og rent ud sagt pissehamrende flot".
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10/10/2012 Kristeligt Dagblad

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
6/6 Stars

"Mageløst nærværende Carl Nielsen"
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10/10/2012 Information

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
"Alan Gilberts Nielsen-odysse har lagt fra land med ikke så lidt selvbevidsthed, erobringslyst og friske øjne. Det bliver selvsagt spændende at følge den videre færd".
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30/09/2012 Classicstoday.com

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
Artistic Quality: 10 - Sound Quality: 10 - "The New York Philharmonic is a powerhouse orchestra, Nielsen is a powerhouse symphonist, and Alan Gilbert revels in the music’s energy and dynamism."
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25/09/2012 BBC Music Review

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
"These are rich and hugely enjoyable performances."
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25/09/2012 Crescenta Valley Weekly

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies 2 and 3
"A remarkable recording sonically and interpretively – and a magnificent testament to the talents of Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic."
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15/08/2012 ConcertoNet.com

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 2
”La compréhension intime de l’esprit et de la musique de leur compatriote permet une interprétation toujours d’un bon niveau et souvent inspirée.”
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13/07/2012 Flensborg Avis

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 2
"Endnu en fantastisk boks med genudgivelser."
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11/06/2012 Fyens Stiftstidene

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 2
5/6 Stars

"Noget nær det perfekte"
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21/05/2012 SØNDAG

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 2
"Fyn er fin, og Carl Nielsen er Fyns fineste."
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05/02/2012 Classics Today (10/10)

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 1 - Orchestral Music
"If you haven't yet heard these performances, then this set will be a mandatory acquisition, particularly if you want to get a big chunk of Nielsen in a single shot"
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28/11/2011 Pizzicato

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 1 - Orchestral Music
5/5 Stars

"Schønwandt zeigt mit seinem Nielsen, dass die bei anderen Dirrigenten festgestellte Klangopulenz die sechs Symphonien des Dänen zwar spektakulär werden lässt, dabei jedoch unendlich viele Details untergehen, die die Musik unerhört reich werden lassen."
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12/09/2011 Søndag

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 1 - Orchestral Music
"Noget af det mest kraftfulde og livsbekræftende inden for nyere skandinavisk komposition"
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31/08/2011 Kristeligt Dagblad

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 1 - Orchestral Music
5/6 Stars

"Pragtfulde værker, spillet med saft og kraft, lige fra forspillet til Maskarade til Helios-ouverturen"
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04/10/2010 DR P2

DR P2 Prize 2010 – Danish Vocal Release of the Year

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06/09/2010 Opera News

Carl Nielsen: Cantatas
"All four works on this disc receive first-rate performances."
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18/04/2010 Dansk Musik Tidsskrift

Carl Nielsen: Cantatas
"Den entusiasme, der præger indspilningen, og den klingende tidsånd fra begyndelsen af det 20. århundrede berettiger fuldt ud udgivelsen."
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04/04/2010 Diapason

Carl Nielsen: Cantatas

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01/04/2010 Classics Today

Carl Nielsen: Cantatas
"All of the music here is well sung, played, and recorded"
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26/03/2010 Classical Lost and Found

Carl Nielsen: Cantatas
"The substantial combined forces (...) under conductor Bo Holten are perfectly suited to this celebratory music."
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09/03/2010 allmusic.com

Carl Nielsen: Cantatas
4 Stars

"The performances led by Bo Holten are sincere, heartfelt, and determined."
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09/02/2010 Musicweb International

Carl Nielsen: Cantatas
"The pleasure is enhanced by some wonderfully well-rehearsed singing - burnished and superbly drilled."
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02/01/2010 Jyllands-Posten

Carl Nielsen: Cantatas
"Den er forfriskende dansk med folkehøjskolen på sidelinjen."
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31/10/2009 Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten

Carl Nielsen: Cantatas
"Bo Holten får alt ud af musikken"
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01/01/2009 Classics Today

Carl Nielsen: Chamber Music Vol. 2
"This is an important release, containing magnificent performances of some major works."
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10/08/2008 New York Times

Carl Nielsen: String Quartets Vol. 2
"...the impassioned, insightful performances again shed light on fascinating repertory (...) they play Nielsen's quartets as if they owned them"
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01/10/2007 Gramophone

Carl Nielsen: Orchestral Music
EDITOR'S CHOICE - "This is outstanding..."
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05/08/2007 New York Times

Carl Nielsen: String Quartets Vol. 1
"These are youthful and energetic performances (...) These young Danes seem to have a genuine insight into the music of their country's best known composer"
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01/07/2007 Gramophone

Carl Nielsen: String Quartets Vol. 1
EDITOR'S CHOICE - "Has Nielsen been played better?"
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30/01/2007 Politiken

Carl Nielsen: Orchestral Music
5/6 Hjerter

"Ligesom i forspillet og den kække 'Hanedans' fra 'Maskerade' behandler Thomas Dausgaard musikken klart og muskuløst. Det er energiske fortolkninger med minimale mængder af lommeuld"
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15/09/1994 International Record Review

Blæserkvintetter
"The most immediately striking about this release is how wonderful it sounds...The playing is delightful."
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15/09/1994 American Record Review

Wind Quintets
"The Scandinavian Woodwind Quintet is a wonderful group that has one of the smoothest, best-blend sounds I have heard."
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15/09/1994 BBC Music Magazine

Wind Quintets
5 Stars

Discography

	Symphonies 2 and 3 Carl Nielsen SACD 6.220623 (2012) An explosive beginning to the New York Philharmonic’s sensational new series of all Carl Nielsen’s symphonies and solo concertos!
	The Masterworks Vol. 2 - Chamber and Instrumental Works Carl Nielsen CD 8.206003 (2012) All Dacapo’s latest recordings of Carl Nielsen’s chamber and piano works, played by Danish musicians with Nielsen’s absolutely distinctive tone in their blood.
	The Masterworks Vol. 1 - Orchestral Music Carl Nielsen CD 8.206002 (2011) The Danish National Symphony Orchestra's hailed recordings of Nielsen's orchestral music, including the six symphonies on both CD and DVD, now beautifully boxed
	Cantatas Carl Nielsen CD 8.226079 (2009) First recordings of newly unveiled and festive works by the great Danish composer
	String Quartets Vol. 2 Carl Nielsen SACD 6.220522 (2008) The new reference recording of Nielsen’s string quartets is now complete
	Chamber Music Vol. 2 Carl Nielsen CD 8.226065 (2007) The collected chamber works for violin – some of Nielsen’s most experimental music
	Maskarade (DVD) Carl Nielsen DVD 2.110407 (2007) The Danish "national opera" in a rebellious, witty new interpretation
	Serenades and Romances Nielsen, Weyse, Lange-Müller, Kunzen CD 8.226012 (2007) Smiles and longings of a summer night embodied by the young tenor Mathias Hedegaard
	Chamber Music Vol. 1 Carl Nielsen CD 8.226064 (2007) Reference recording of the famous Wind Quintet and Nielsen’s shorter chamber works
	String Quartets Vol. 1 Carl Nielsen SACD 6.220521 (2007) Fantastic, innovative recording by The Danish String Quartet
	Orchestral Music Carl Nielsen SACD 6.220518 (2007) Prizewinning collection of Carl Nielsen’s shorter orchestral pieces – a revelation
	Complete Symphonies (DVD) Carl Nielsen DVD 2.110403-05 (2006) Live recordings of a Nielsen marathon with Michael Schønwandt and the Danish National SO.
	Billedbogen (The Picture Book) CD 8.224703 (2005) Piano music for children and the young at heart by among others Carl Nielsen and Fini Henriques
	Passage - Danish Piano Trios Trio Ondine CD 8.226009 (2005) Danish piano trios throughout a century, including an unknown work of Carl Nielsen’s youth
	Maskarade Carl Nielsen CD 6.220507-08 (2004) Nielsen’s stage masterpiece in a classic recording with the conductor John Frandsen
	Songs Carl Nielsen CD 8.224218 (2003) Songs and lieder by the national composer, sung with perfection and empathy
	Complete Symphonies (3CD Box Set) Carl Nielsen CD 8.203130 (2001) Authoritative recording of all six symphonies based on the new edition of the music
	Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6 Carl Nielsen CD 8.224169 (2001) Nielsen’s vital debut and his enigmatic, surreal last work in the genre
	Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 Carl Nielsen CD 8.224156 (2000)
	Music for Wind Quintet Nielsen, Mortensen, Jersild, Wellejus CD 8.224151 (2000) Kammermusikalsk perfektion i værkerne af bl.a. Carl Nielsen og Jørgen Jersild
	Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3 Carl Nielsen CD 8.224126 (1999)
	Piano Music Carl Nielsen CD 8.224095-96 (1998) Reference recording by the composer Herman D. Koppel, who as a young man rehearsed the works with Carl Nielsen himself
	Oboe and Piano CD 8.224043 (1996)
	Wind Quintets CD 8.224001 (1994) Carl Nielsen’s masterpiece and more recent quintets by Abrahamsen, Holmboe and Nørgård