Photo: Georg Lindstrøm 1866-1923 Restored by Adam Cuerden / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Born on June 9, 1865 in Sortelung, Denmark, Carl Nielsen was a conductor, classical composer and choreographer. Death is recorded on October 3, 1931, at the age of 66. Awards on record include commander of the Order of the Dannebrog (1925). Notable works include Min Jesus, lad mit hjerte få, Clarinet Concerto and Forunderligt at sige.
My Take
Nielsen is one of those composers I keep returning to precisely because he refuses to be comfortable. Coming from a poor family on Funen, he built a voice that feels both rugged and tender, and his Clarinet Concerto remains a small miracle of giving a difficult instrument real soul. What impresses me most is the range: composer, conductor, even autobiographer. He didn't just write music, he thought hard about it. The 1925 Order of the Dannebrog feels almost beside the point next to the music itself. For me, he's Scandinavia's quietly defiant heartbeat, still bracing a century later.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Carl Nielsen
- Name (Japanese)
- カール・ニールセン
- Reading
- かーる・にーるせん
- Born
- June 9, 1865 – October 3, 1931
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Gemini / Ox
- Origin
- Sortelung, Denmark
- Occupation
- conductor / classical composer / choreographer / autobiographer / music educator
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1925 commander of the Order of the Dannebrog
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Min Jesus, lad mit hjerte få | — | |
| Notable work | Clarinet Concerto | — | |
| Notable work | Forunderligt at sige | — | |
| Notable work | Den milde dag er lys og lang | — | |
| Notable work | Min pige er så lys som rav | — | |
| Notable work | Irmelin Rose | — |
4. Links
- Official sitehttps://carlnielsen.dk
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl%20Nielsen
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BB%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q205139
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-24
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Carl Nielsen born?
Born June 9, 1865.
When did Carl Nielsen die?
Died October 3, 1931, aged 66.
Where was Carl Nielsen from?
Carl Nielsen was from Sortelung, Denmark.
What did Carl Nielsen do?
Carl Nielsen worked as conductor, classical composer, choreographer, autobiographer, music educator.
What was Carl Nielsen known for?
Notable works include Min Jesus, lad mit hjerte få, Clarinet Concerto, Forunderligt at sige.