Episode 4

Synopsis

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Carl Nielsen, Denmark's best-known composer.

In 1914, after his resignation as conductor at the Royal Theatre, Nielsen's conducting career wasn't going so well. Things began to look up when he was offered work in Sweden and appointed conductor of Copenhagen's Philharmonic Orchestra. His personal life was in crisis, too - his wife had asked for a legal separation, a situation which would last for the next eight years.

Donald introduces works from those turbulent years, including his Piano Suite, regarded as the most important music Nielsen wrote for the instrument, part of the Wind Quintet written for five friends and his most popular choral work - the folk oratorio Springtime in Funen.

Afsted!
Aksel Schiotz
Danacord DACOCD365-367 CD1 Tr 8

Suite
Martin Roscoe (piano)
Hyperion CDA67591/2, CD2 Tr 1

Wind Quintet (4th mvt)
Athena Ensemble
Chandos 10454 X Trs 1-3

Springtime in Funen
Inga Nielsen (soprano)
Peter Gronlund (tenor)
Sten Byriel (bass-baritone)
Children's Chorus of Sankt Annae Gymnasium
Leif Segerstam (conductor)
Chandos CHAN8853 Tr 3.

Tracklist

Timings are shown from the start of the programme in hours and minutes.

1. --:--

   Carl Nielsen — Afsted!

   Performer: Aksel Schiotz

   Danacord DACOCD365-367, CD1 Tr 8
2. --:--

   Carl Nielsen — Suite

   Performer: Martin Roscoe (piano)
   Performer: Hyperion CDA67591/2, CD2 Tr 1
   Performer: Wind Quintet (4th mvt)
   Performer: Athena Ensemble

   Chandos 10454 X, Trs 1-3
3. --:--

   Carl Nielsen — Springtime in Funen

   Performer: Inga Nielsen (soprano)
   Performer: Peter Gronlund (tenor)
   Performer: Sten Byriel (bass-baritone)
   Performer: Children's Chorus of Sankt Annae Gymnasium
   Performer: Leif Segerstam (conductor)

   Chandos CHAN8853, Tr 3.

Broadcasts

1. Thu 5 Nov 2009
   12:00
   BBC Radio 3
2. Thu 5 Nov 2009
   22:00
   BBC Radio 3