This week's selection for The Gaggle Music Club is Carl Nielsen's Symphony No. 4, "The Inextinguishable." Composed between 1914 and 1916 during the Great War, the symphony is frequently described as Nielsen's greatest work—in terms of ambition, originality and long-term influence.

Unquestionably Denmark’s greatest composer, Carl Nielsen (1865–1931) was born into a modest family on the island of Funen and developed into one of the most original symphonic voices of the early 20th century. His style is characterized by contrapuntal clarity, structural innovation and a fascination with dynamic opposition—conflict and resolution are central to his symphonic thought. Nielsen also contributed significantly to chamber music, concertos, choral works and songs.

The war deeply disturbed Nielsen, and the symphony reflects his anguish. He saw Europe’s civilization, art and values under siege. Nonetheless, he wanted to assert that life persists, fights, renews itself—and that music embodies this same vitality. The symphony expresses the indestructibility of the human spirit and of music itself.

The symphony features a struggle between opposing forces: turbulence and serenity, chaos and lyricism. Its structure is continuous--there are no breaks between movements--creating a sense of growth, development and narrative.

Though Symphony No. 4 was composed as a continuous whole, it nonetheless contains four connected sections.

The work opens with shocking, eruptive energy—the music seems already in the middle of a struggle. A sense of restlessness and organic growth pervades.

The second movement is a more lyrical, dance-like interlude, but the tension relaxes but is never fully absent.

The third movement is warm and hymn-like, yet shadowed by unease. It provides emotional depth and momentary spiritual repose amid the turbulence.

The fourth movement begins with a renewed sense of conflict, and gradually escalates toward a dramatic climax. The symphony ends in a radiant affirmation of life, with a bold, unifying final theme.

Nielsen's Symphony No. 4 bridges the classical optimism of his earlier works (Symphony No. 1 and No. 3) and the modernist, dissonant ambiguity of his later works (Symphony No. 5). It is the first of his symphonies to abandon conventional movement breaks, anticipating similar experiments by Sibelius and others.

Nielsen' Symphony No. 4 is today it is widely performed and recorded. Its structural boldness and use of musical conflict have influenced later composers such as Malcolm Arnold and Peter Maxwell Davies.

In this performance from 2020, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra is conducted by chief conductor Fabio Luisi.