Canon
Where to start with Nielsen
Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles-
OrchestralFlute Concerto, FS119
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KeyboardCommotio, for organ, op. 58
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ChamberString Quartet in F, FS36, op. 44, "Piacevolezza"
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Vocal3 Motetter, FS139, op. 55
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OrchestralSymphony no. 4, FS76, op. 29, "The Inextinguishable"
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OrchestralSymphony no. 5, FS97, op. 50
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OrchestralClarinet Concerto, FS129, op. 57
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KeyboardDen Luciferiske, suite for piano, FS91, op. 45
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OrchestralPan and Syrinx, FS87, op. 49
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OrchestralSaga Dream, FS46, op. 39
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OrchestralSymphony no. 2, FS29, op. 16, "The 4 Temperaments"
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OrchestralSymphony no. 3, FS60, op. 27, "Sinfonia espansiva"
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OrchestralSymphony no. 6, FS116, "Sinfonia semplice"
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OrchestralViolin Concerto, FS61, op. 33
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ChamberViolin Sonata no. 2 in G minor, FS64, op. 35
Listening guide
Hand-curated paths into Nielsen's catalogueMost Popular
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Symphony No. 4 ”The Inextinguishable”
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Flute Concerto
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Clarinet Concerto
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Symphony No. 2 ”The Four Temperaments”
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Helios Overture
Most Acclaimed
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Symphony No. 5
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Symphony No. 6 ”Sinfonia Semplice”
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Wind Quintet
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Commotio (organ)
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String Quartet No. 4 in F major
Most Weird
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Symphony No. 6 ”Sinfonia Semplice”the title is ironic — it’s angular, spare, and emotionally withholding; unlike any other Danish symphony
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Clarinet Concertothe clarinet seems to drive the conductor mad with its stubbornness; the snare drum interrupts to defend the orchestra
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Commotio for organ50 minutes for solo organ — one of the most demanding works in the repertoire
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Symphony No. 5in the first movement, a snare drum is instructed to play at will to destroy the music — the orchestra fights back
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Saul and David (opera)his first opera — biblical subject, surprisingly dramatic
Similar composers
Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinityWorks 93
- Orchestral
- ● Flute Concerto, FS119
- ● Symphony no. 4, FS76, op. 29, "The Inextinguishable"
- ● Symphony no. 5, FS97, op. 50
- Clarinet Concerto, FS129, op. 57
- Pan and Syrinx, FS87, op. 49
- Saga Dream, FS46, op. 39
- Symphony no. 2, FS29, op. 16, "The 4 Temperaments"
- Symphony no. 3, FS60, op. 27, "Sinfonia espansiva"
- Symphony no. 6, FS116, "Sinfonia semplice"
- Violin Concerto, FS61, op. 33
- Aladdin, FS89, op. 34 — Incidental music
- Amor og Digteren, FS150, op. 54 — Incidental music
- Andante tranquillo e Scherzo, for string orchestra, FS310
- Bohemian-Danish Folk Tune, paraphrase for string orchestra, FS130
- Cosmus, FS98 — Incidental music
- En Aften paa Giske, FS9 — Incidental music
- Helios, FS32, op. 17
- Herr Oluf han rider, FS37 — Incidental music
- Little Suite in A minor, FS6, op. 1
- Moderen, FS 94, op. 41 — Incidental music
- Overture to Maskarade, FS39
- Paraphrase on 'Naermere Gud til dig', for winds, FS63
- Rhapsody Overture 'En fantasirejse til Faeroene', FS123
- Symphonic Rhapsody in F major, FS7
- Symphony no. 1 in G minor, FS16, op. 7
- Tove, FS43 — Incidental music
- Willemoes, FS44 — Incidental music
- Keyboard
- Commotio, for organ, op. 58
- Den Luciferiske, suite for piano, FS91, op. 45
- 2 Preludes, for organ, FS137
- 29 små praeludier, for organ, FS136, op. 51
- 3 Pieces for Piano, FS131, op. 59
- 5 Pieces for Piano, FS10, op. 3
- 6 Humoresque-bagatelles, FS22, op. 11
- Chaconne, op. 32
- Drømmen om Glade Jul, FS34
- Festival Prelude: At the Turn of the Century, FS24
- Klaverstykke in C major, FS159
- Piano Music for Young and Old, FS148, op. 53
- Symfonisk Suite, FS19, op. 8
- Tema med variationer, FS81, op. 40
- Chamber
- String Quartet in F, FS36, op. 44, "Piacevolezza"
- Violin Sonata no. 2 in G minor, FS64, op. 35
- Wind Quintet, FS100, op. 43
- 2 Fantasy Pieces, FS8, op. 2, for oboe and piano
- 5 Movements, for string quartet, FS3c
- Allegretto, for 2 recorders in F major, FS157
- Canto serioso, for horn and piano, FS132
- Duet for 2 violins in A major, FS3e
- Fantasy Piece, for clarinet and piano in G minor, FS3h
- Piano Trio in G major, FS3i
- Praeludium og Tema med Variationer, for violin, FS104, op. 48
- Preludio e presto, for violin solo, FS128, op. 52
- Serenata in vano, for clarinet, bassoon, horn, cello, and double bass, FS68
- String Quartet in D minor, FS3d
- String Quartet in E flat major, FS23, op. 14
- String Quartet in F major, FS3k
- String Quartet in F minor, FS11, op. 5
- String Quartet in G minor, FS4, op. 13
- String Quintet in G major, FS5
- Tågen Letter, for flute and harp
- Ved en ung kunstners baare, for string quartet and double bass, FS58
- Violin Sonata in A major, FS20, op. 9
- Violin Sonata no. 1 in G major, FS3b
- Vocal
- 3 Motetter, FS139, op. 55
- 6 Songs of Ludvig Holstein, FS18, op. 10
- 7 Strophic Songs, FS42, op. 21
- Aftenstemning, for male chorus, FS48
- En snes danske vise, Vol.1, FS70
- En snes danske vise, Vol.2, FS78
- Fem Digte, FS12, op. 4
- Forunderligt at sige, FS83, no. 1
- Fynsk foraar, for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, FS96, op. 42
- Förunderligt och märkligt, for chorus
- Hjemlige Jul, FS108
- Hyldest til Holberg, for soloists, chorus and orchestra, FS102
- Hymnus amoris, for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, FS21, op. 12
- Jeg ved en Lærkerede, FS114, no. 1
- Kantate til Grosserersocietetet, FS 86
- Kantate ved Landsudstillingen i Århus, for chorus and orchestra, FS54
- Kantate ved Universitetets Aarsfest, for chorus and orchestra, FS47, op. 24
- Mit hjerte altid vanker, for chorus
- Prelude no. 1; Der er en Vej
- Prologen ved Mindefesten for Shakespeare, FS80
- Selv naar Tordenen tynger, "Ariel's Song"
- Solen er saa rød, mor, FS114 no. 2
- Studie efter naturen, FS82
- Søvnen, for chorus and orchestra, FS33, op. 18
- Tyve folkelige melodier FS95
- Viser og vers FS14, op. 6
- Stage
- Maskarade, FS39 — Opera
- Saul og David, FS25 — Opera
- Snefrid, FS17 — Melodrama