Carl Nielsen and the Idea of Modernism

Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) remains arguably the most underrated composer of his international generation. This book offers a critical re-evaluation of Carl Nielsen's music and his rich literary and artistic contexts. Drawing extensively on contemporary writing, criticism, and the newly completed Carl Nielsen Edition, the book presents a series of case studies centred on key works in Carl Nielsen's output. Topics covered include his relationship with symbolism and fin-de-sicle decadence, vitalism, counterpoint, and the Danish landscape. Running throughout the book is a critical engagement with the idea of musical modernism - a term which, for Nielsen, was fraught with anxiety and yet provided a constant creative stimulus.