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- Nielsen, Carl A.
Duration: 27 minutes
Description: Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) composed his CONCERTO FOR CLARINET, Op. 57/F. 129 for clarinetist Aage Oxenvad in 1928. Cast in a single continuous movement, the concerto is filled with emotional contrasts, angular melodies, and sudden shifts between lyricism and confrontation—reflecting, in part, Nielsen’s awareness of Oxenvad’s mercurial temperament. The piece also features an unusual role for the snare drum, which interjects combatively with the soloist. Though initially challenging to audiences, it is now considered one of the cornerstones of the 20th-century clarinet repertoire, prized for its dramatic intensity, psychological depth, and technical demands. Oxenvad performed the premiere with the Copenhagen Wind Quintet under the baton of Erik Tuxen on October 11, 1928. Instrumentation: 0.0.0.2: 2.0.0.0: Perc(1): Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set): Solo Clarinet in set. Reprint edition.