Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Grrr! From childhood rages to professional frustrations, the jovial Nielsen sometimes had good reasons to get angry: that's the first of his temperaments Donald Macleod explores.

Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) is probably the most eminent Danish composer. Known mainly for his talent as a symphonist and for his incidental music for 'Aladdin', he also pushed the boundaries of Romantic music, whether in his work for voice or his exploration of dissonance. Born on the fairy tale-looking island of Fyn, his music is full of characters. Nielsen was fascinated by the multiplicity of human emotions and personalities, to the extent that they were frequently the source of his musical creativity. After all, he was himself a passionate character, something that transpires in the scores themselves, in which the composer often hides behind the music. All this week, inspired by his second and fourth symphonies, Donald Macleod invites you to discover Carl Nielsen's story through the prism of five different aspects of his temperament.

Episode 1: Grrr! From childhood rages to professional frustrations, the jovial Nielsen sometimes had good reasons to get angry: that's the first of his temperaments we explore.

Saul og David [Saul and David]
Prelude to Act II
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Dausgaard, conductor

Symphony No 2, Op 16, FS29 鈥楾he Four Temperaments鈥�
I. Allegro colerico
蜜芽传媒 Philharmonic
John Storg氓rds, conductor

Fynsk Forar [Springtime in Funen], Op 42 (excerpts)
Per Hoyer, baritone
Andr茅as Thors, soprano
Asa Baverstam, soprano
Kjell Magnus Sandve, tenor
Linn茅a Ekdahl, soprano
Stockholm Boys Choir
Swedish Radio Choir
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Polka in A major, FS1
Hasse Borup, violin

Little Suite for strings in A minor, Op 1
III. Finale. Andante con moto 鈥� Allegro con brio
New Stockholm Chamber Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Aladdin Suite, Op 34
"Aladdin's Dream/Dance of the Morning Mist"
"The Marketplace in Isphahan"
Philharmonia Orchestra
Paavo J盲rvi, conductor

S酶vnen [The Sleep], for chorus and orchestra, Op 18
Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir
Mogens W枚ldike, conductor

Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Julien Rosa
A 蜜芽传媒 Audio Wales & West production for 蜜芽传媒 Radio 3

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 7 Apr 2025 16:00
蜜芽传媒 Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

Next

PhlegmaticCarl Nielsen (1865-1931)

See all episodes from Composer of the Week

Music Played

  • Carl Nielsen

    Saul og David (Prelude to Act 2)

    Orchestra: Danish National Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Dausgaard.
    • DACAPO : 6220518.
    • DACAPO.
    • 9.

  • Carl Nielsen

    Symphony No 2 "The Four Temperaments" Op 16 (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: 蜜芽传媒 Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: John Storg氓rds.
    • Nielsen Symphony.
    • chandos.
    • 5.

  • Carl Nielsen

    Fynsk Foraar, Op 42 (excerpt)

    Singer: Per Hoyer. Singer: Andreas Thors. Singer: 脜sa B盲verstam. Singer: Kjell Magnus Sandve. Singer: Linn茅a Ekdahl. Choir: Stockholm Boys' Choir. Choir: Swedish Radio Choir. Orchestra: Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Esa鈥怭ekka Salonen.
    • SONY : SK-53276.
    • SONY.
    • 10.

  • Carl Nielsen

    Polka in A major

    Performer: Hasse Borup.
    • NAXOS : 8.573870.
    • NAXOS.
    • 25.

  • Carl Nielsen

    Little Suite in A minor, Op 1 (Finale)

    Orchestra: Stockholms Nya Kammarorkester. Conductor: Esa鈥怭ekka Salonen.
    • SONY G010003844956L.
    • SONY.
    • 7.

  • Carl Nielsen

    Aladdin Suite, Op 34 (excerpts)

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Paavo J盲rvi.
    • Signum Classics : SIGCD477.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 8.

  • Carl Nielsen

    Sovnen, Op 18

    Orchestra: Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Mogens W枚ldike. Choir: Danish Radio Chorus.
    • EMI : 72435-660002.
    • EMI.
    • 9.

Broadcast

  • Mon 7 Apr 2025 16:00
    蜜芽传媒 Radio 3

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.