The death of Aretha Franklin on August 16 got me thinking about singers in the gospel tradition, or who began their singing careers that way. I shared my thoughts with my wife and a friend. Naturally, I prefer some singers (meaning those who began as gospel singers) and some styles to others.

In a message to my friend, I noted that I had never really developed a taste for opera, but that — along with admiring many popular singers (meaning those who did not perform opera or classical music) — I have, over the years, developed a taste for the lied or art song.

A Wikipedia entry notes that a favorite composer of mine, Carl Nielsen (Danish, 1865-1931), wrote over 290 songs and hymns. What I like most about his songs is their simplicity and directness, along with their beauty. They convey a certain emotional state so clearly.

Nielsen’s songs do not seem to be well known.

Below is a selection of my favorites.

 

— Roger W. Smith

   August 2018

 

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Æbleblomst (Apple Blossom)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/c3a6bleblomst-apple-blossom-soprano.mp3?_=1

 

Den danske sang er en ung, blond pige (The Danish song is a young blonde girl)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/den-danske-sang-er-ung-blond-pige-the-danish-song-is-young-blonde-girl-baritone.mp3?_=2

 

Den milde dag er lys og lang (The mild day is light and long)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/den-milde-dag-er-lys-og-lang-tenor.mp3?_=3

 

Der er et yndigt land (A fair and lovely land) – tenor

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/der-er-et-yndigt-land-there-is-a-lovely-land-tenor.mp3?_=4

 

Der er et yndigt land (A fair and lovely land) – choir

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/der-er-et-yndigt-land-there-is-a-lovely-land-choir.mp3?_=5

 

Fatimas sang (Fatima’s song) – from Incidental Music to Aladdin

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/fatimas-sang-fatimas-song-from-incidental-music-to-aladdin.mp3?_=6

 

Forderligt at sige (Strange to say)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/forderligt-at-sige-strange-to-say-soprano.mp3?_=7

 

Hvor sódt i Sommeraftenstunden (How sweet is the summer evening)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/hvor-sc3b8dt-i-sommeraftenstunden-how-sweet-is-the-summer-evening-soprano.mp3?_=8

 

Jeg bærer med Smil min Byrde (I take with a smile my burden) – baritone

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jeg-baerer-med-smil-min-bryde-i-bear-with-a-smile-my-burden-baritone.mp3?_=9

 

Jeg bærer med Smil min Byrde (I take with a smile my burden) – choir

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jeg-bc3a6rer-med-smil-min-byrde-i-bear-with-a-smile-my-burden-choir.mp3?_=10

 

Jeg lægger mig saa trygt til ro (I am so comfortable at rest) – baritone

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jeg-laegger-mig-saa-trygt-til-ro-in-peace-i-lay-me-down-to-sleep-baritone.mp3?_=11

 

Jeg lægger mig saa trygt til ro (I am so comfortable at rest) – soprano

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jeg-lc3a6gger-mig-saa-trygt-til-ro-in-peace-i-lay-me-down-to-sleep-soprano.mp3?_=12

 

Jeg lægger mig saa trygt til ro (I am so comfortable at rest) – tenor

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jeg-lc3a6gger-mig-saa-trygt-til-ro-in-peace-i-lay-me-down-to-sleep-tenor.mp3?_=13

 

Min Jesus, lad mit Hjerte faa (My Jesus, let my heart obtain)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/min-jesus-lad-mit-hjerte-faa-jesus-mine-let-my-heart-savor-soprano.mp3?_=14

 

Min pige er saa lys som Rav (Like golden amber is my girl) – baritone

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/min-pige-er-sa-lys-som-rav-as-bright-as-amber-is-my-girl-baritone.mp3?_=15

 

Min pige er saa lys som Rav (Like golden amber is my girl) – tenor

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/min-pige-er-sc3a5-lys-som-rav-as-bright-as-amber-is-my-girl-tenor.mp3?_=16

 

Nu er da Vaaren kommen (At last spring has come)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/nu-er-da-vaaren-kommen-now-the-spring-has-come-baritone.mp3?_=17

 

Sænk kun dit Hoved du Blomst (Lay down, sweet flower, your head)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/sank-kun-dit-hoved-du-blomst-bow-thy-corolla-thou-bloom-baritone.mp3?_=18

 

Solen er saa rød, Mor (The sun is so red, Mother)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/solen-er-sa-rod-mor-the-sun-is-so-red-mother-baritone.mp3?_=19

 

Tidt er jeg glad, og vil dog gerne græde (Oft am I glad, still may I weep from sadness)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/tidt-er-jeg-glad-often-i-am-glad-tenor.mp3?_=20

 

Ud gaar du nu paa Livets Vej (Now you must find your path in life)

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ud-gc3a5r-du-nu-pc3a5-livets-vej-out-you-go-now-on-lifes-way-baritone.mp3?_=21

 

Hjemve: Underlige aftenlufte (Homesickness: strange evening breezes) – tenor

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/underlige-afternlufte-wonderful-evening-breezes-tenor.mp3?_=22

 

Hjemve: Underlige aftenlufte (Homesickness: strange evening breezes) – soprano

https://rogersgleanings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/underlige-aftenlufte-wonderful-evening-breezes-soprano.mp3?_=23