Carl Nielsen
Musik til Helge Rodes skuespil "Moderen", opus 41
Et eventyrspil i en prolog og syv billeder
Music for Helge Rode's Play 'The Mother', Opus 41
A Play in a Prologue and Seven Scenes
Opus 41
CNW 18
CNUCarl Nielsen Udgaven (The Carl Nielsen Edition. Royal Danish Library: Copenhagen 1998–2009)
I/9; IV/1, Add. 35; III/4, 117–124
CNSCarl Nielsens Samling (The Carl Nielsen Collection, Royal Danish Library, Copenhagen)
345
FSDan Fog & Torben Schousboe: Carl Nielsen kompositioner. En Bibliografi. København 1965.
94
Author: Helge Rode
Composition: 1920–21.
To celebrate the reunion of South Jutland with Denmark in 1920, Helge Rode was commissioned to write the text. It appears that the author had Nielsen in mind as the composer at a very early stage; however, it was difficult to convince Nielsen to take on the task. Already from March and April, he was drafting the work though the earliest musical sources are dated May 1920. He was still composing in October, when he also began working on his fifth symphony (CNW 29).
Original version for orchestra, vocal soloists and choir
CNUCarl Nielsen Udgaven (The Carl Nielsen Edition. Royal Danish Library: Copenhagen 1998–2009) I/9
The Scald; The Jester; The Mother; The Son; The Hope; The Faith; A Voice
Music
Prolog
Prologue
Første Billede
Scene One
Sections
-
1a. Saga-Drøm
Andante tranquillo
Saga Dream -
1b.
Allegretto quasi andantinoRoselil og hendes Moder, de sad over Bord
Arranger: Carl Nielsen
-
2. Taagen letter
Andante quasi allegretto
The Fog is Lifting -
3. Melodrama
Andante
MelodramaStunden er nær, min Søn
-
3a. Tro og Haab spiller
Allegro marciale
Faith and Hope are Playing
Andet Billede
Scene Two
Tredje Billede
Scene Three
Sections
Fjerde Billede
Scene Four
Sections
Femte Billede
Scene Five
Sections
Sjette Billede
Scene Six
Sections
Syvende Billede
Scene Seven
Sections
Sources
Sketch (Nos. 20, 22)
Piano score (No. 14), sketch (Henrik Knudsen )
Score, draft (Prelude to Scene Seven)
Score/short score, draft (No. 20)
Score, draft (No. 5)
Vocal score, draft (No. 22)
Choral score, autograph, fair copy (No. 22)
Vocal score, autograph, fair copy (Nos. 7, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 16)
Vocal score, partly autograph, fair copy (No. 20)
Vocal score, manuscript copy (Nos. 7, 8, 16)
Score, partly autograph, fair copy
Vocal score, manuscript copy (Emil Reesen) (Nos. 19, 4, 20, 22)
Piano part, manuscript copy (No. 5)
Parts, manuscript copy (No. 22)
Parts, manuscript copy
Instrumental part (fl.), manuscript copy (Nos. 3a, 12)
Instrumental part (fl.), manuscript copy (Nos. 3a, 12)
Instrumental part (fl.), manuscript copy (Nos. 3a, 12)
Instrumental part (va.), manuscript copy (Nos. 3a, 12)
Instrumental parts, manuscript copy
Contains string and harp parts for the Danish national anthem Der er et yndigt land (melody by H.E. Krøyer). Apparently Nielsen intended to use the anthem in the play, but it is not included in any score.
Parts, manuscript copy (No. 13)
Choral part, print (No. 22)
Choral part, print (No. 22)
Choral part, print (No. 22)
Instrumental parts, print (No. 1a)
Choral parts, print (No. 22)
Text, typewritten
Prompter's copy
Text, typewritten
Prompter's copy
Text, print
Digital Edition: Arkiv for Dansk Litteratur
Performances
30 Jan. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik; performers: Betty Hennings (the Mother); Svend Methling (the Scald); Johannes Poulsen (the Jester)). First performance. Reviews: Nationaltidende, 31 Jan. 1921. Facsimile (Photo) (Review) Politiken, 31 Jan. 1921. Ekstrabladet, 31 Jan. 1921. Theatret, 20/11, 1921, p. 131. Aalborg Stiftstidende, 31 Jan. 1921. Facsimile Folkets Avis, 31 Jan. 1921. Facsimile |
31 Jan. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
2 Feb. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
5 Feb. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
6 Feb. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
10 Feb. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
18 Feb. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
21 Feb. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
23 Feb. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
27 Feb. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
3 Mar. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
7 Mar. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
13 Mar. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
15 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense (performers: Ellen Aggerholm (the Mother); Svend Aggerholm (the Jester); Angelo Bruun (the Son); Erik Henning-Jensen; Fernanda Movin). Reviews: Fyns Venstreblad. Facsimile Fyns Social-Demokrat. Facsimile |
16 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense. |
17 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense. |
18 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense. |
20 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense. |
21 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense. |
21 Mar. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
22 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense. |
23 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense. |
26 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense. |
26 Mar. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
28 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense. |
29 Mar. 1921 | Odense Teater, Odense. |
2 Apr. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
10 Apr. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
18 Apr. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
19 Apr. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
26 Apr. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
1 May 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
20 May 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
28 May 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
2 June 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
7 July 1921 | Tivoli Concert Hall (Tivolis Koncertsal), Copenhagen (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester); conductor: Frederik Schnedler-Petersen). Partial performance. |
24 Aug. 1921 | Sønderborghus, Sønderbrog (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester); conductor: Frederik Schnedler-Petersen). |
25 Aug. 1921 | Sønderborghus, Sønderbrog (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
26 Aug. 1921 | Nørherredshus, Nordborg (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
27 Aug. 1921 | Augustenborg Teater, Augustenborg (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
28 Aug. 1921 | Graasten Teater, Graasten (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
29 Aug. 1921 | Forsamlingsgården, Sundeved (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
30 Aug. 1921 | Teatret, Broager (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
31 Aug. 1921 | Tønder (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
3 Sept. 1921 | Centralhotellet, Toftlund (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
4 Sept. 1921 | Teatret, Bovrup (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
5 Sept. 1921 | Aabenraa Teatret, Aabenraa (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
6 Sept. 1921 | Aabenraa Teatret, Aabenraa (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
7 Sept. 1921 | Haderslev Teater, Haderslev (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
8 Sept. 1921 | Haderslev Teater, Haderslev (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
10 Sept. 1921 | Rødding Teater, Rødding (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
11 Sept. 1921 | Teatret, Sommersted (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
12 Sept. 1921 | Haderslev Teater, Haderslev (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
13 Sept. 1921 | Jernbanehotellet, Tinglev (Tivoli Symphony Orchestra (Tivolis Symfoniorkester)). |
14 Sept. 1921 | Kolding Teater, Kolding. |
15 Sept. 1921 | Kolding Teater, Kolding. |
16 Sept. 1921 | Kolding Teater, Kolding. |
18 Sept. 1921 | Aalborg Teater, Aalborg. |
19 Sept. 1921 | Aalborg Teater, Aalborg. |
20 Sept. 1921 | Aalborg Teater, Aalborg. |
21 Sept. 1921 | Hjørring Teater, Hjørring. |
22 Sept. 1921 | Frederikshavn Teater, Frederikshavn. |
23 Sept. 1921 | Brønderslev Teater, Brønderslev. |
16 Oct. 1921 | Næstved Teater, Næstved. |
24 Oct. 1921 | Nykøbing Teater, Nykøbing. |
6 Nov. 1921 | Horsens Teater, Horsens. |
7 Nov. 1921 | Horsens Teater, Horsens. |
9 Nov. 1921 | Horsens Teater, Horsens. |
11 Nov. 1921 | Herning Teater, Herning. |
13 Nov. 1921 | Lemvig Teater, Lemvig. |
24 Nov. 1921 | Frederecia Teater, Frederecia. |
27 Nov. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
8 Dec. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
14 Dec. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
30 Dec. 1921 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
6 Jan. 1922 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
10 Jan. 1922 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
18 Apr. 1922 | The Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater), Copenhagen (conductor: Ebbe Hamerik). |
23 June 1922 | Slotspavillonen, Hillerød (conductor: M. Merril). Partial performance. |
2 June 1926 | Christianhavns Vold, Copenhagen (conductor: M. Merrild). March (Marsch) only. |
28 July 1926 | Christianhavns Vold, Copenhagen (conductor: Andreas Møller). March (Marsch) only. |
9 Nov. 1928 | Fakse og Omegns Musikforening, Fakse (conductor: H. Christian Jensen). No. 19 (Prelude to Scene Seven) only. |
7 Dec. 1928 | Radiostudie(?), Stockholm (Radioorkester; conductor: Carl Nielsen). Excerpts only. |
20 Dec. 1928 | Radiostudie(?), Stockholm (performer: Karl Achatz, flute; composer: Ingrid Lang-Fagerström, harp). The Fog is Lifting (Taagen letter) only. |
31 Dec. 1928 | Axelborg, Copenhagen (The Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra (Radiosymfoniorkestret); conductor: Emil Reesen). Prologue (Prolog) only. |
14 Mar. 1929 | Axelborg, Copenhagen (The Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra (Radiosymfoniorkestret); conductor: Launy Grøndahl). Prologue (Prolog) only. |
22 Apr. 1929 | Axelborg, Copenhagen (Radio-blæserensemblet). No. 19 (Prelude to Scene Seven) only. |
5 June 1929 | Ringsted Lystanlæg, Pavillonen, Ringsted (conductor: H. Christian Jensen). No. 19 (Prelude to Scene Seven) only. |
28 July 1929 | Rosenborg Have, Copenhagen (Harmoniorkester; conductor: Frederik Schnedler-Petersen). No. 19 (Prelude to Scene Seven) only. |
15 Oct. 1929 | Axelborg, Copenhagen (Radio-blæserensemblet; conductor: Johannes Andersen). No. 19 (Prelude to Scene Seven) only. |
27 May 1931 | Teatersalen, Ringsted (Det sjællandske Provins-orkester; conductor: H. Christian Jensen). No. 19 (Prelude to Scene Seven) only. |
25 July 1931 | Axelborg, Copenhagen (The Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra (Radiosymfoniorkestret); conductor: Emil Resen; performers: Per Knudsen, singer; Carl Schnedler-Meyer, piano). No. 6 (Min Pige er saa lys som Rav) only. |
Version for voice and piano. Excerpts
CNUCarl Nielsen Udgaven (The Carl Nielsen Edition. Royal Danish Library: Copenhagen 1998–2009) IV/1, Add. 35 (instrumental pieces); III/4, 117–124 (songs)
A few months before the premiere of the play Moderen, Nielsen published extracts from the work in piano reduction, including eight songs and five instrumental pieces (Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 7, 9, 10, 11, 16, 15, 19, 1, 22 from the original version). Nielsen delivered the material to the publishers in December 1920, and the music was published in 1921.
Music
1. Taagen letter
The Fog is Lifting
Andantino quasi allegretto
2.
Andante pesante3.
Andantino quasi allegretto4.
Allegretto pesante5.
Allegro molto6.
Andantino7. Forspil til fjerde Billede
Prelude to Scene Four
Andante serioso
8.
Moderato9.
Allegretto vivo10. Menuet
Minuet
11. Forspil til syvende Billede
Prelude to Scene Seven
Andante
12. Marsch
March
Tempo giusto
13. Kor
Chorus
Tempo giusto
Sources
Score, partly autograph, fair copy
Score, autograph, fair copy (Nos. 5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9)
Score, print
Recording, wax cylinder (No. 13; piano part only)
Performer: Carl Nielsen, piano
Published on CD: Carl Nielsen spiller Carl Nielsen. Tre fonografvalser fortæller. SBCD 05, Aarhus 2003 (track 8).
Documents
Letters:
Diary entries:
Manuscripts:
Carl Nielsen: [Levnedsberetning]. DK-København, Ordenskapitlet. 25 June 1925. (SamtidJohn Fellow (ed.): Carl Nielsen til sin samtid. Det Kongelige Bibliotek/Gyldendal: Copenhagen 1999. 102)
Bibliography
Jill Austin: 'Behind "The Mother"'. Flutist Quarterly – The Official Magazine of the National Flute Association, 30/4, 2005, pp. 46–48.
Daniel M. Grimley: Carl Nielsen and the Idea of Modernism. The Boydell Press: Woodbridge 2010.
Last changed 2022-12-02 by MerMEId