Carl Nielsen's Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (FS 119) was written in 1926 for Holger Gilbert-Jespersen, who succeeded Paul Hagemann as flautist of the Copenhagen Wind Quintet.

In 1921, Nielsen heard the Copenhagen Wind Quintet rehearsing music by Mozart and was struck by the group's tonal beauty and musicianship.

[1] The work was positively received at its premiere in Paris at the Maison Gaveau on 21 October 1926, with the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire and with his son-in-law, Emil Telmányi, conducting.

Paul Le Flem wrote in Comoedia: "The Concerto for flute and orchestra, outstandingly performed by M. Holger-Gilbert Jespersen, is the most recent work by Mr Nielsen.

[2] Both Maurice Ravel and Arthur Honegger were reported to be in attendance, the latter being recorded as saying "the famous Conservatory Orchestra played great and the flute concerto was performed in a masterly manner and with a delicate tone - there was a standing ovation and soloist Gilbert Jespersen "flûtiste de grande classe" - was called in several times.