Carl Nielsen

The composer Carl Nielsen left his home town of Nørre Lyndelse at an early age and headed for the capital. Having produced his first compositions at the age of eight, the child prodigy joined Odense's Regimental Band at the age of 14 before moving on to Copenhagen's Royal Theatre Orchestra in 1889.

Nielsen, who was influenced by Mozart and Sibelius among others, produced symphonies, folk songs, chamber music, opera and choral pieces, many of which have become world famous. The best known of his works include Symphonies Three, Four and Five, the opera Saul and David and the choral piece Springtime on Funen.

Nielsen was awarded the Knight Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog on his 60th birthday and died in 1931, aged 66.