Poster Carl Nielsen
Danish composer Carl Nielsen
Det Danske Kultur Institut
Performance Today®

The Inextinguishable

In 1914, things were going well for Danish composer Carl Nielsen... so well that he quit a good conducting job so he could focus on writing music. At that time, events in Europe were taking a dark turn, and Nielsen poured his energy into a new piece of music. It's a fervent symphony that expresses his belief that, despite horrific darkness, life and light can prevail. On Wednesday's Performance Today, hear a concert performance of Symphony No. 4, "The Inextinguishable", by Carl Nielsen.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Claude Debussy: Clair de lune
Renaud Capucon, violin; Jerome Ducros, piano
Capriccio Violin Pieces
Virgin 74807

Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6
Michael Tree, viola; Philip Dukes, viola; Savannah Music Festival musicians
Savannah Music Festival, Trinity United Methodist Church, Savannah, GA

The Piano Puzzler: This week's contestant is Christina Stone from Houston, Texas

Claude Debussy: Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune, L. 86
Catriona Ryan, flute; RTE Symphony Orchestra; Andrew Gourlay, conductor
National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland

Hour 2

Carl Nielsen: Woodwind Quintet, Op. 43: Movement 2
Susan Rotholz, flute; Elaine Douvas, oboe; Joaquin Valdepenas, clarinet; Stefanie Przybylska, bassoon; Robin Graham, horn
Barber: Summer Music and Nielsen: Woodwind Quintet
Sony 46250

Franz Joseph Haydn: Sonata for Piano in G Major, Hob. XVI: 40
Anne-Marie McDermott, piano
Seattle Chamber Music Society, Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA

Johann Sebastian Bach: Air, from Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068
Italian Saxophone Quartet
Beaches Fine Arts Jacksonville, St. Paul's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, FL

Carl Nielsen: Symphony No. 4, Op. 29, FS 76, "The Inextinguishable"
Artosphere Festival Orchestra; Corrado Rovaris, conductor
Artosphere Festival, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, AR

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About Performance Today®

To find a station near you on our Stations Listings page, click here.

American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.

Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

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