Carl Nielsen (1865-1931), the composer, gave up his position as a violinist at the Royal Danish Theatre in 1905, though friends described him as an amusing and characterful quartet first violinist.
Critical Reception
The String Quintet in G major was praised by critics at its premiere for its melodiousness and inventiveness, with one calling it 'an extraordinarily fresh and pleasing string quintet'.
Composition History
Carl Nielsen's only String Quintet in G major was written in 1888, immediately following his G minor string quartet, and he himself played second violin in its first two performances.
Composition History
Carl Nielsen's String Quartet in G minor, op. 13, was published in 1900 with opus number 13, despite being written before his Opus 1, Suite for Strings.
Composition History
Carl Nielsen's F major quartet, op. 44, was composed in Copenhagen in 1906 while he was also busy with his opera Maskarade, sharing its gaiety and grace.
Compositional Technique
In the last movement of his G minor quartet, Carl Nielsen included a 'Resumé' section that contrapuntally combines thematic material from the first, third, and fourth movements to underscore the work's unity.
Performer Biography
The Danish String Quartet, the performers on this album, won First Prize in the Eleventh London International String Quartet Competition in 2009, along with four additional prizes.
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