Carl Nielsen Defended
SIR,-1 fear that, in voicing What is a fairly widespread astonishment at the very great esteem now enjoyed by 'Nielsen's music in some circles in this country, I have unwittingly offended the feelings of one of the composer's compatriots. I can only assure him that, should a British composer (say, Elgar) suddenly enjoy a similar belated and—as it seems to me—exaggerated vogue in Denmark, I should expect no different reaction among Danish critics, nor feel any resent- ment if a performance of Elgar's 'cello concerto in Copenhagen aroused in that case comments at least as sharp as those aroused by the performance of Nielsen's violin concerto -here.'
I should of course have realised that the word " reactionary," however qualified, has the same panic effect today as the words " fast " or " common " had upon readers of earlier generations; it is in fact taken as a compendious term of abuse, which was far from my inten- tion. It was only fair to remark that three of the four champions of -Nielsen's music quoted by W.J.L., have other—and, I hasten to add, perfectly reputable—reasons for sponsoring a " new " composer beside the absolute value of his music.—Yours faithfully, MARTIN COOPER.
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