Carl Nielsen's musical language, as demonstrated in his symphonies, is idiosyncratic and individual, essentially tonal but covering an extended range of keys within a tonal system.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The title of Nielsen's Fourth Symphony, "The Inextinguishable," expresses what he saw as the elemental Will of Life, indicating that Music, like Life, is inextinguishable.
Performer Biography
Adrian Leaper, born in 1953, was co-principal French horn in the Philharmonia Orchestra before becoming a conductor and has recorded a complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies for Naxos.
Performer Biography
The National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, originally the RTE Symphony Orchestra founded in 1947, was augmented and renamed in 1990 and is known for its adventurous programs featuring 20th-century compositions.
Compositional Technique
Nielsen's Fourth Symphony is scored for triple woodwind, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, strings, and timpani, with two sets of timpani placed opposite each other.
Composer Biography
Carl Nielsen, a leading influence on Scandinavian music, was born in 1865, the son of a painter and village musician, and had his earliest musical experience playing the violin in his father's band.
Composer Biography
Nielsen's career included playing violin in the royal chapel until 1905, followed by a growing demand for his services as a conductor, particularly of his own works.
