Carl Nielsen

A Danish composer of many musical forms whose finest achievements are his symphonies. Nielson's music is characterized by its direct expression, clarity like that of a mountain spring, and deep humanity and warmth. In the second movement of his Third Symphony, a soprano and baritone sing wordless songs to each other across the expanse of the gently murmuring orchestra -- after the listeners have been swept away by a first movement that combines a glorious waltz-like theme and punctuations reminiscent of Beethoven's Symphony no. 3 (also partly in 3/4 time). There is humor and lyricism in the Concerto for Clarinet and a variety of moods and inventive sonorities that is unlike anyone else's in the piano music. ~ Blue Gene Tyranny