Thanks for posting this. It's ancient! There is very little around as far as documentaries about Nielsen go. The BBC used to do this kind of thing very well back in the day, and since there weren't many channels to choose from, many people had to learn new things despite themselves.
Even though the documentary looks old and lower quality (probably from a VHS tape), I'm still excited to finally be able to watch a documentary on Carl Nielsen.
Excellent little documentary -- just the kind of thing we miss on TV nowadays. Robert Simpson's analysis was eye- (an ear-) opening, and it was a treat to hear the daughters' reminiscences.
1) Agreed. Simpson "wrote the book" on Nielsen's symphonies in English. Here he analyzes just the 5th's first movement and wisely lets the final Allegro from the second movement speak for itself starting at 51:19 to end the documentary. 2) Commentators have noticed a similarity between the ending of the 5th's first movement and Maurice Ravel's Bolero, particularly the clarinet melody and the side drum over the sustained harmony in the strings. Ravel attended the Paris premiere of Nielsen's 5th in 1924 and then premiered his Bolero in Paris two years later in 1926. 3) In 2004, Carl Nielsen's native country placed only his Fourth Symphony in their Danish Culture Canon, "a collection and presentation of the greatest, most important works of Denmark's cultural heritage", but I consider the 5th to be his best and most profound symphony.
Thanks for this splendid programme, not least for Robert Simpson's insights and the playing of a vintage Philharmonia Orchestra under the great Horenstein, which brings back so many memories, not least Denis Blyth's unassailable timpani playing! It is therefore unfortunate that the synchronisation slips at 17'30", particularly affecting the speech to camera sections. No matter - it is wonderful to be able to see this programme again in its entirety (the sort of programme the BBC used to do superbly but hardly does at all any more - for shame!).
It was through the brilliant Horenstein recording that I first became familiar with Nielsen’s Fifth Symphony fifty plus years ago. Subsequent recordings and a fine live performance led by Sixten Ehrling have not eclipsed it. For me the plaintive and ultimately triumphant clarinet solo that ends the first movement in a whisper is one of the most memorable clarinet solos in the symphonic literature. It also offers an example of the ambiguity between the major and minor third so characteristic of this composer’s style.
Can anyone find and share Carl Nielsen's essay on music referenced at about 50:30 minutes in? “I am everywhere and nowhere,” he once wrote, describing his very personal spiritual vision of composition, “I leap over the wave and over the top of the forest. All can grasp me, but none can catch me.”
Nielsen has to be one of the best symphonists of all time - I adore all his symphonies except for nol.6 which I've yet to fully appreciate. Trust Horenstein to give a great performance of the 4th and 5th symphonies - possibly the least known and most underrated great conductors of the 20th c. - he never gave a dull or poor performance, many of the younger generation could learn a hell of a lot from him.
+cameronpaul Perhaps I misunderstood you but there is no Nielsen 4th with Horenstein. There are JH recordings of 3 & 6, however, which you can find here on YT. No. 6 is a great work, it's "simplicity" is deceptive, give it another try.
Misha Horenstein Thanks for your reply. Sorry I meant to say the 3rd (the introduction on this video) not the 4th ! and of course the 5th also on this documentary.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
L'explication de Robert Simpson sur la structure harmonique de la 5ème symphonie est vraiment intéressante.
thank you for this deeply appreciated post of this under appreciated but fantastic work and composer.
que tremendo documental,
Thanks for posting this. It's ancient! There is very little around as far as documentaries about Nielsen go. The BBC used to do this kind of thing very well back in the day, and since there weren't many channels to choose from, many people had to learn new things despite themselves.
Even though the documentary looks old and lower quality (probably from a VHS tape), I'm still excited to finally be able to watch a documentary on Carl Nielsen.
Excellent little documentary -- just the kind of thing we miss on TV nowadays. Robert Simpson's analysis was eye- (an ear-) opening, and it was a treat to hear the daughters' reminiscences.
Simpson was ": the" Nielsen authority when I was a kid and of course Maestro H. championed so many pieces and composers needing more attention.
You have done the most marvelous service to the mempry of your wonderful (?) father Jascha. Thanks so many times. From New Zealand, Craig
Great docu. One of my favorite composers
What a marvelous documentary. Robert Simpson's analysis of the 5th symphony is amazing.
1) Agreed. Simpson "wrote the book" on Nielsen's symphonies in English. Here he analyzes just the 5th's first movement and wisely lets the final Allegro from the second movement speak for itself starting at 51:19 to end the documentary.
2) Commentators have noticed a similarity between the ending of the 5th's first movement and Maurice Ravel's Bolero, particularly the clarinet melody and the side drum over the sustained harmony in the strings. Ravel attended the Paris premiere of Nielsen's 5th in 1924 and then premiered his Bolero in Paris two years later in 1926.
3) In 2004, Carl Nielsen's native country placed only his Fourth Symphony in their Danish Culture Canon, "a collection and presentation of the greatest, most important works of Denmark's cultural heritage", but I consider the 5th to be his best and most profound symphony.
Saw the 5th performed in Birmingham last Wednesday by CBSO, have loved it for 50 years, great to discover this on You Tube
Thanks for this splendid programme, not least for Robert Simpson's insights and the playing of a vintage Philharmonia Orchestra under the great Horenstein, which brings back so many memories, not least Denis Blyth's unassailable timpani playing! It is therefore unfortunate that the synchronisation slips at 17'30", particularly affecting the speech to camera sections. No matter - it is wonderful to be able to see this programme again in its entirety (the sort of programme the BBC used to do superbly but hardly does at all any more - for shame!).
It was through the brilliant Horenstein recording that I first became familiar with Nielsen’s Fifth Symphony fifty plus years ago. Subsequent recordings and a fine live performance led by Sixten Ehrling have not eclipsed it. For me the plaintive and ultimately triumphant clarinet solo that ends the first movement in a whisper is one of the most memorable clarinet solos in the symphonic literature. It also offers an example of the ambiguity between the major and minor third so characteristic of this composer’s style.
Thank you…！I appreciate great Holenstein and generous you with deepest appreciation.
Excellent bit of drumming there.
Thank you, Mischa!
Can anyone find and share Carl Nielsen's essay on music referenced at about 50:30 minutes in?
“I am everywhere and nowhere,” he once wrote, describing his very personal spiritual vision of composition, “I leap over the wave and over the top of the forest. All can grasp me, but none can catch me.”
it is called "Ord, musik og programmusik"
Nielsen has to be one of the best symphonists of all time - I adore all his symphonies except for nol.6 which I've yet to fully appreciate. Trust Horenstein to give a great performance of the 4th and 5th symphonies - possibly the least known and most underrated great conductors of the 20th c. - he never gave a dull or poor performance, many of the younger generation could learn a hell of a lot from him.
+cameronpaul Perhaps I misunderstood you but there is no Nielsen 4th with Horenstein. There are JH recordings of 3 & 6, however, which you can find here on YT. No. 6 is a great work, it's "simplicity" is deceptive, give it another try.
+cameronpaul By the way, I invite you to join the Horenstein page on Facebook...
Misha Horenstein
Thanks for your reply. Sorry I meant to say the 3rd (the introduction on this video) not the 4th ! and of course the 5th also on this documentary.
hi misha. is joshua your dad or grandfather?