Symphony No. 3 (Nielsen)

Around 35 minutes in length,[1] it is unique in his symphonic output for having vocal parts, specifically wordless solos for soprano and baritone in the second movement.

[2][3] Within two months of its premiere the symphony was in the repertoire of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, and by 1913 it had seen performances in Germany (Stuttgart), Sweden (Stockholm) and in Finland (Helsinki).

The character designation of the first movement (Allegro espansivo) serves as the symphony's subtitle, but it is not clear what Nielsen meant by 'espansiva'.

[7] Nielsen himself wrote of the first movement that it 'begins with some strong unisono jerks which gradually take on rhythmic form until the following subject, as if under great pressure, breaks out'.

(Danish: "begynder med nogle stærke unisone Ryk som efterhaanden antager rytmisk Form indtil følgende Tema, ligesom ved et voldsomt pres, springer frem").

Until then, Carl Nielsen experts had believed that the original copy of the manuscript had been lost during World War II.