Carl Nielsen - Fynsk Forår - De gamle

Carl Nielsen (1865 - 1931):
DE GAMLE ~ The old people

Excerpt from Danish composer Carl Nielsen's choral work "Fynsk Forår" (Springtime in Funen - a lyric humoresque) for soloists, chorus and orchestra (Opus 42). It was composed in 1921. In many respects it is a musical account of his memories, paralleled in his published memories of 1927, "My childhood in Funen". The first performance in 1922, in the large Market Hall in Odense, was a major national event. No less than 1000 singers took part, and among the audiences were the Danish King and Queen.

The text was provided by Danish doctor, poet and painter Aage Berntsen (1885-1952). He had won a competition launched by the Danish Choral Society, for a text about Danish nature, history and popular life. Carl Nielsen was asked to write the music, which he accepted, although he was quite busy at that time, working on one of his greatest symphonic works, the 5th.

English translation of the text:

We put the pipe in the corner by the stove
And close the hidebound bible book.
It is the blessed time of Spring
And the gout is slightly better.

We take each other by the hand,
Each finger as crooked as a bent wand.
Then we walk together in sun and wind
Which warms the cold-to-touch old hide.

But when we have rocked along a little,
We long for a little snooze.
For old'uns lean down towards the dust
And long for eternal rest.

Radiokoret
(The Danish National Radio Choir)
Conducted by Leif Segerstam

Видео Carl Nielsen - Fynsk Forår - De gamle канала stigekalder