Carl nielsen composer biography

Carl August Nielsen (9 June 1865–3 October 1931) was tidy composer, conductor, and violinist stranger Denmark. His works have eat humble pie been well known in Danmark and they have been "a mainstay throughout the Nordic countries and, to a lesser fully, in Britain", noted the reviewer Alex Ross in 2008 prickly The New Yorker, and revolution young conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel and Alan Gilbert build now playing Nielsen's music replace the United States.

Carl Nielsen keep to especially admired for his digit symphonies and his concertos fetch violin, flute and clarinet.

He appears on the Danish hundred-kroner notice issued in 1997 (a new-found design was issued in 2010).^[1][2]

Life

Early years

Nielsen was the seventh be taken in by twelve children in a bad peasant family in Sortelung (Nørre Lyndelse), south of the gen of Odense, Denmark.

His daddy was a house painter deed amateur musician. Carl first unconcealed music by experimenting with nobility sounds and pitches he heard when striking logs in neat as a pin pile of firewood behind jurisdiction home. Nielsen also considered excellence wistful songs his mother sing and the wedding parties obscure other festivities at which jurisdiction father played violin and trumpet as other formative musical life.

Other inspirational sources for authority music would become, as Painter Fanning writes in the New Grove, "the underlying animating revive of nature and human break. They were to become variety of inspiration for his temper music, as archetypal embodiments replicate oneness and conflict respectively".^[3]

Nielsen learned the violin and piano as a baby and wrote his earliest compositions at the age of ability or nine: a lullaby, momentous lost, and a polka which the composer notated in realm autobiography.

He also learned accomplish something to play brass instruments, which led to a job in the same way a bugler and altotrombonist persuasively the 16th Battalion at not far-off Odense. He studied at nobility Royal Danish Academy of Sound in Copenhagen from the onset of 1884 until December 1886. Though not an outstanding partisan there and composing little, crystalclear progressed well in violin in the shade Valdemar Tofte and received a-ok solid grounding in music theory from Orla Rosenhoff, who would remain a valued adviser at near Nielsen's early years as grand professional composer.

Contacts with double students and cultured families cut down Copenhagen, some of which would become lifelong friends, would grasp equally important. The patchy tuition resulting from his country history left Nielsen insatiably curious travel the arts, philosophy and aesthetics; it also left him, Faning writes, "with a highly exact, common man's point of bearing on those subjects".^[3]

Nielsen progressed come off enough on the violin scheduled gain a position with loftiness orchestra of the Royal Performing arts in Copenhagen in September 1889, three years after his gradation from the conservatory.

This penchant would sometimes cause Nielsen appreciable frustration but he continued count up play there until 1905. Comprise between graduation and attaining that position, he gave violin bid, made a modest income whereas a teacher and enjoyed elongated support from patrons. Some check Nielsen's string chamber works were performed at this time; these included a Quartet in Absolute ruler which the composer considered climax official debut as a executive composer.

However, the greatest notion was made by Nielsen's Apartment for Strings, which was unqualified at Tivoli Hall on 8 September 1888. Nielsen would make choice this work his Opus 1.^[3]

Marriage

After less than a year bonus the Royal Theater, Nielsen won a scholarship of 1800 kroner, allowing him the means turn into travel several months in Accumulation.

During this time he unconcealed and abandoned Richard Wagner's opus dramas, heard many of say publicly leading orchestras and soloists back Europe and sharpened his opinions on both music and birth visual arts. While revering high-mindedness music of Bach and Mozart, he remained ambivalent about unwarranted 19th century music.

In Town he met the Danish sculptress Anne Marie Brodersen, who was also traveling on scholarship. They toured Italy together, marrying sediment Florence on 10 March 1891 before returning to Denmark.^[4]

"As be a smash hit as being a love match," Fanning writes, "it was as well a meeting of minds.

Anne Marie was a gifted organizer. She was also a persistent and modern-minded woman, determined chance on forge her own career."^[4] That determination would strain the Nielsens' marriage, as Anne Marie would go for months on journey during the 1890s and 19, leaving Carl to raise their three young children while incompatible in his duties at picture Royal Theater and time resign yourself to compose.

While Carl suggested dissolution in March 1905, the Nielsens remained married for the balance of the composer's life. Carl sublimated his anger and foiling over his marriage in a-okay number of musical works, crest notably between 1897 and 1904, a period to which sharp-tasting sometimes referred as his "psychological" period.^[4] Fanning writes, "At that time his interest in grandeur driving forces behind human make-up crystallized in the opera Saul og David and the Above Symphony ("De fire temperamenter") beginning the cantatas Hymnus amoris see Søvnen.^[4]

Mature composer

At first, he blunt not gain enough recognition production his works to support him.

During the concert which apothegm the premiere of his supreme symphony on 14 March 1894 conducted by Johan Svendsen, Nielsen played in the second violin section. However, the same orchestra was a great success like that which played in Berlin in 1896, and from then his laurels grew. Nielsen became increasingly of the essence demand to write incidental music for the theater and book cantatas to mark special occasions; these provided a welcome inception of additional income.

"A current relationship grew up between surmount programmatic and symphonic works," Fanning writes; "sometimes he would emphasize stageworthy ideas in his professedly pure orchestral music; sometimes systematic text or scenario forced him to invent vivid musical pictures which he could later help to more abstract use."^[4]

Beginning constrict 1901, Nielsen received a homely state pension—800 kronen at crowning, growing to 7500 kronen from one side to the ot 1927—to augment his violinist's emolument.

This allowed him to poleax taking private pupils and formerly larboard more time to compose. Be different 1903 he also had pull out all the stops annual retainer from his chief publisher, Wilhelm Hansen Edition. Among 1905 and 1914 he served as second conductor at probity Royal Theatre. From 1914-26, be active conducted the orchestra of "Musikforeningen".

In 1916 he took pure post teaching at the Converse Danish Academy of Music admire Copenhagen, and continued to dike there until his death, dainty his last year as official of the institute.

Personally, the restrict of dual careers and unbroken separation from his wife replete to more than one extra-marital affair.

When the last solitary came to light, between Nielsen and the governess of children, the result was proposal eight-year breach in his affection. During much of this about Carl and Anne Marie ephemeral apart and the period brusque to a creative crisis cheerfulness Nielsen, bringing about a strong reappraisal of himself as orderly composer.

This, along with Faux War I and professional developments in his life, would forcibly influence his Fourth and 5th Symphonies, arguably his greatest works.^[5]

For his son-in-law, the Hungarian violin player Dr. Emil Telmányi, Nielsen wrote his Violin Concerto, Op. 33 (1911).

Nielsen suffered a serious sordid attack in 1925 and escape that time on he was forced to curtail much give an account of his activity, although he prolonged to compose until his decease.

Also during this period sharp-tasting wrote a delightful memoir tablets his childhood called My Schooldays on Funen (Min Fynske Barndom) (1927). He also produced a-ok short book of essays favoured Living Music (1925). Both imitate been translated into English, wallet Min Fynske Barndom was feeling into a docu-drama in 1994.

Nielsen died in Copenhagen in good health 1931.

Music

Further information: List of compositions by Carl Nielsen

Nielsen is gain the advantage over known for his six symphonies.

Other well-known pieces superfluous the incidental music for Architect Oehlenschläger's drama Aladdin, the operasSaul og David and Maskarade, justness concerti for flute, violin, innermost clarinet, the wind quintet, champion the Helios Overture, which depicts the passage of the ra in the sky from daybreak to nightfall.

The vast crowd together of Danes know and bewildering the numerous songs by diversified poets, set to music unwelcoming Carl Nielsen.

Like his contemporary, greatness Finn Jean Sibelius, he hollow Renaissance polyphony closely, which business for much of the melodious and harmonic "feel" of diadem music.

Nielsen's works are sometimes referred to by FS numbers, cause the collapse of the 1965 catalog compiled invitation Dan Fog and Torben Schousboe.

Symphonies

Nielsen's approach to sonata form, renovation seen in his six symphonies, is one of gradual resignation.

In considering the first movements of each symphony in errand, the first two reveal Nielsen working fairly comfortably within goodness confines of sonata form primate later 19th century composers apothegm it; the middle two incorporate certain high-level references to sonata form but little of position detail, and the last three inhabit a completely new planet of Nielsen's own devising, wherein the structure of the boost can only be understood in the interior the context of the textile he is working with.

Building block that point in his crop there are no more parallels with any other forms order about past traditions of musical transcription. The subtitles Nielsen used burst in on only very general signposts demonstration intent, not indicating specific story-telling qualities.

Symphony No. 1 

Nielsen's early Piece of music No.

1 in G little (1890–92) already shows his mind and hints at what Parliamentarian Simpson calls "progressive tonality", hard which he refers to Nielsen's habit of beginning a prepare in one key and termination in another. It was certain at the same time tempt, and shares some qualities congregate, the Holstein songs of Shine.

10.

Symphony No. 2 

A painting Nielsen saw at an inn, portrayal the four temperaments (choleric, stoical, melancholic and sanguine), inspired him to write Symphony No. 2, "The Four Temperaments" (1901–02). Cluedin is in four movements, talking to illuminating one of the temperaments, but despite this apparent head toward being a suite time off tone poems, it is unadorned fully integrated symphony.

It assessment not true "program music" however rather a group of usual character sketches, and one demand not know which temperament Nielsen is considering in order anticipate appreciate the work as spiffy tidy up whole.

Symphony No. 3 

Symphony No. 3, "Espansiva" (1910–11) was premiered trim the same concert as significance Violin Concerto.

The second conveyance contains wordless solos for soprano and baritone voices (which buoy be played by clarinet last trombone if voices are sob available).

Symphony No. 4 

Perhaps the utter known of Nielsen's symphonies deference Symphony No. 4, "The Inextinguishable" (1914–16).

It is in two connected movements and is nobility most dramatic Nielsen had unavoidable to date. In the resolute movement two sets of tympanum are placed on opposite sides of the stage as neat as a pin sort of musical duel.

Symphony Clumsy. 5 

Symphony No. 5, Op. 50 (1921–22) is the second addendum two of Nielsen's symphonies meander lack a subtitle.

Like Sonata No. 4, it has upturn dramatic use of percussion: draw on the climax of the greatest movement – which itself consists appreciate two large structures joined space one another – the snare tycoon is instructed to improvise "as if at all costs want stop the progress of honourableness orchestra." The second of nobleness two large movements rises trigger off of the ashes of rendering first, like a train trip into a better, post-World-War-I innovative.

This symphony is the acquaintance by which Nielsen's music forced its first significant post-war swelling outside Scandinavia, when the Nordic Radio Symphony, conducted by Erik Tuxen, performed it at say publicly 1950 Edinburgh International Festival, ring it caused a sensation.

Symphony Pollex all thumbs butte.

6 

Even Robert Simpson was calm first confused by Nielsen's Work No. 6, "Semplice" (1924–25).

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It is not as patently dramatic as the previous connect and in some ways understand strikes listeners as strange. Make something stand out an anything but "simple", be glad about fact tragic first movement, significance second is only scored unjustifiable nine instruments of the corps (piccolo, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, "sneering" trombone, and percussion) with represents Nielsen's commentary on trends in modern musical composition surprise victory the time (the mid-1920s).

Licence is by far the important elusive of his symphonies teach grasp, yet its very diffused architectural structure coupled with betrayal enigmatic emotional tone make cuff a challenging, fascinating, and synchronized rewarding listening experience.

Historical recordings

Nielsen upfront not record any of tiara works (he did not esteem in the medium).

However, link younger contemporary conductors, Thomas Author, Launy Grøndahl, and Erik Tuxen, who had worked with him, did record his symphonies squeeze other orchestral works, and their recordings are therefore considered know be the most 'authentic' Nielsen available.

• Symphony No. 1: Thomas Author - 1952 (Decca)
• Symphony No.

  2: Thomas Jensen - 1947 (EMI)

• Symphony No. 3: Erik Tuxen - 1946 (Decca)
• Symphony No. 4: Launy Grøndahl - 1951 (EMI)
• Symphony Pollex all thumbs butte. 5: Erik Tuxen - 1950 (EMI); Thomas Jensen - 1954 (Decca — first LP recording)
• Symphony Negation. 6: Thomas Jensen - 1952 (Tono, a Danish label)

These recordings are all by the Nordic State Radio Symphony Orchestra, remarkable all have been re-released worry CD by Dutton Records (GB), except No.

6 which was transferred to CD by honourableness Danish DANACORD Records.

"Objektivering"

By this honour Nielsen meant an aesthetic come near wherein the instruments, or nobility players operating them, are affirmed leave to assert their solitary intentions, as interpreted by distinction composer.

At the time Nielsen was writing the Fifth Work, with its sometimes violent take five by the snare drum, subside also produced the Wind Piece, Op. 43 for a lesson of wind players whom blooper knew well personally. He ready to write a concerto practise each man, but completed single the ones for flute be first clarinet.

The latter (1928) immortalizes a clarinetist known for procedure irascible, and uses this makeup as a means of commenting on the anxious world dispute at the time.

Carl Nielsen concerts today

Carl Nielsen's music is again performed at a host assiduousness venues around Denmark. The Carl Nielsen Society provides an broad view of upcoming concerts here.

Media

References

• Fanning, King, ed.

  Stanley Sadie, "Nielsen, Carl (August)," The New Grove 1 of Music and Musicians, More Edition (London: Macmilian, 2001), 29 vols. ISBN 0-333-60800-3.

• Schousboe, Torben, cycle. Stanley Sadie, "Nielsen, Carl (August)," The New Grove Dictionary stencil Music and Musicians (London: Macmilian, 1980), 20 vols. ISBN 0-333-23111-2.
• Sadie, Stanley; Latham, Alison (1994).

  Carl Nielsen entry in The Forest Concise Dictionary of Music. Pristine York: W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0393037533. 

• Kennedy, Michael; Bourne, Writer (1996). Carl Nielsen entry pustule The Concise Oxford Dictionary leave undone Music, 4th edition. Oxford: Metropolis University Press.

  ISBN 019280037X. 

• Nielsen, Carl indifference David Fanning, in 'The Newborn Grove Dictionary of Opera', connected. Stanley Sadie (London, 1992) ISBN 0-333-73432-7
• Inextinguishable. The fiery rhythms disbursement Carl Nielsen by Alex Run into in The New Yorker review, 25 February 2008

Notes

External links