Carl August Nielsen, Danish composer and conductor, 1865-1931

Carl August Nielsen was a Danish composer, conductor and violinist, widely recognized as his country's most prominent composer. He premiered his Op. 1, "Suite for Strings", in 1888, at the age of 23. The following year, Nielsen began a 16-year stint as a second violinist in the Royal Danish Orchestra under the conductor Johan Svendsen. In 1916, he took a post teaching at the Royal Danish Academy and continued to work there until his death. Nielsen is especially noted for his six symphonies, his "Wind Quintet" and his concertos for violin, flute and clarinet. In Denmark, his opera "Maskarade" and many of his songs have become an integral part of the national heritage.