Nielsen Concerto

The Nielsen Violin Concerto (1911) holds a distinctive place in the violin concerto repertoire. The first half of the work, presented on this recording, demonstrates both the violin's expressive range and Nielsen's compositional craft.

Nielsen alternates between passages that evoke natural phenomena and human expression. The work's broad architecture—at times it proceeds at a glacial pace—and dense orchestration suggest the former, while its folk-like melodies and dance elements characterize the latter.

The concerto's structure is notable both in its overall conception and in its idiomatic writing for the violin. The solo part assumes a central role in developing the musical narrative, often leading rather than elaborating upon the orchestral material For these reasons, it is always a joy for me to share this exceptional work with audiences.