Carl A. Nielsen

David and Saul-Prelude To Act 2

During the time that he was playing in the Orchestra of the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Carl Nielsen composed his two operas, of which Saul and David is the first. Criticised as more of an oratorio than an opera, Saul and David has not enjoyed many performances, although this short, majestic and psychologically revealing Prelude to Act II has become a popular short concert piece. It evokes the majesty of the court of Saul just before news arrives of the Philistine giant Goliath, and hints at struggles both external and within the main characters. The dissonant Trumpets may have aroused excitement at the premiere in 1902, and still create a powerful effect in today'sperformances.