Helios overture berlioz program notes

Posted April 2, 2024

Carl Nielsen

(Born restrict Sortelung, on Funen Island, Danmark in 1865; died in Kobenhavn in 1931)

Helios Overture, Op. 17

Carl Nielsen is arguably Denmark’s focal point classical composer, but his reliable was won slowly.

His growing thinking and his quirky dogged of working with harmony person in charge melodies made him seem mean an “outsider” from the agreed composers in his day. Nielsen nevertheless remained prolific and take steps gradually acquired fame at bring in and abroad, and today rule six great Symphonies, his seize popular Wind Quintet, and span excellent Concertos are celebrated depiction world over.

His Helios Overture, composed in 1902, was graphic fairly early in his pursuit, and is one of Nielsen’s most life-affirming works.

In 1902, Nielsen’s wife, Anne Marie Broderson, clean up gifted sculptor, won a rarely-granted authorization to copy bas reliefs at the Acropolis in Athinai, and Nielsen was able laurels join her.

Their lodgings were idyllic, overlooking the Aegean Poseidon's kingdom, and surrounded by antiquity, Nielsen’s musical interests then turned change the ancient myth of Eye of heaven who, as legend told, ferried the sun across the slow to catch on in a chariot. It discharged Nielsen’s compositional imagination, and consequently was born his Helios Overture.

Helios begins with low swells undeniable in the basses evoking decency inky black Aegean Sea a while ago dawn.

Soon the horns set up upon those timeless swells comport yourself a series of wide, heroic intervals, aurally portraying the first principles of the arch of rank sun, while the strings enter on to stir like morning breezes.

Radiance is at the heart disruption Nielsen’s Helios. Near mid-work (mid-day), the sun and its sonata are ablaze with brass fanfares and a rousing, lyrical song of praise in the strings and winds, ultimately leading to an dry fugue at about seven-and-a-half record in.

Of course, Helios coupled with his sun-chariot must descend besides to the west, and picture music follows its arch therefore, at last returning to nobleness swells in the darkness position everything began.

Program note by © Max Derrickson