Nielsen, Carl August 1865 - 1931
Author: Saitoh, Noriko
Last updated：August 1, 2008
Author: Saitoh, Noriko
Danish composer. He established a unique polyphonic style, drawing upon his studies of 16th-17th century music and influences from composers such as Brahms and Grieg.
He received instruction in violin and cornet from his father and later joined a military band as a horn player. In the mid-1880s, he studied violin, music theory, and music history at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. After graduation, he served as a violinist in the Royal Danish Orchestra. During this time, he became a composer supported by state grants. He served as Kapellmeister at the Royal Theatre, began teaching music in Copenhagen, and also conducted the Music Society.
Nielsen composed works for various ensembles. His representative works are often found among his symphonies and songs. Notably, his music is characterized by an expansion of tonality, utilizing all twelve semitones while maintaining a sense of key. Furthermore, modal tonality, polytonality, and atonal passages can also be observed.
Works(11)
Piano Solo (6)
pieces (6)
prelude (1)
Fest-Præludium 'Ved Aarhundredskifter' (Festival Prelude) FS 24
Composed in: 1900 Playing time: 1 min 30 sec
Various works (1)
Drømmen om 'Glade Jul' ("The Dream of 'Silent Night') FS 334
Composed in: 1905 Playing time: 3 min 00 sec