Wind Quintet, Op. 43 played by the Copenhagen Wind Quintet:
Poul Birkelund (flute)
Erik Hovaldt (oboe)
Ib Eriksson (clarinet) Leif Carlsen (bassoon)
Knud Olsen (horn)
(Recording made available by courtesy of Statsradiolonien, Copenhagen)
Nielsen's last chamber work, completed m 1922 (shortly after his fifth symphony), reveals both his intimate understanding of the woodwind instruments and his deep and kindly sense of humour. It was written for the original members of the Copenhagen Wind Quintet, who were personal friends of his, and was intended to reflect, to some extent, their individual characters: in particular, we make the acquaintance of a highly fastidious flautist, a clarinettist of uncertain temper, and an imperturbable bassoonist. D.C.