Carl Nielsen intended to write a concerto for each of the five instruments in his 1922 Wind Quintet, but only completed two before his death in 1931.
Composer Biography
Carl Nielsen was originally a violinist, playing improvised dance music at weddings as a boy and later joining the Royal Danish Orchestra in Copenhagen at age 24.
Critical Reception
Carl Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto was considered radical and frightening by his contemporaries at its 1928 premiere, but the composer was delighted by the debate it sparked.
Performer Biography
Nikolaj Znaider, the violinist on this recording, plays the 'Kreisler' Guarnerius del Gesù, a 1741 violin on extended loan from The Royal Danish Theater.
Composition History
Carl Nielsen's three solo concertos, along with his six symphonies, form the central part of his orchestral music.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in the DXD audio format (Digital eXtreme Definition) at 352.8kHz / 32 bit, using DPA microphones and a Pyramix DAW system.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Carl Nielsen, at age 60, stated that he had evolved from composing with the piano to thinking directly in terms of the instruments themselves, "creeping into their souls."
