Violin Concerto, op. 33

Nielsen started his only violin concerto in the summer of 1911 at Troldhaugen, where Nina Grieg had invited him to work in her late husband's composing hut. He proceeded slowly, turning over what a solo concerto should be: effective and accessible without being superficial, and never virtuosic at the expense of substance. The premiere came on 28 February 1912, with Peder Møller as soloist and the composer conducting; the Third Symphony was heard the same evening. Instead of the customary three movements Nielsen marked two, the first opening with a declamatory Praeludium.