Carl Nielsen’s Wind Quintet, Op. 43 is a dramatic and under-appreciated staple of the wind quintet repertoire. This arrangement of the 3rd movement’s theme and variations brings an excellent concert piece to cello ensembles. The score download includes the full cello score and a piano reduction. Every part features both melodies and varied accompaniments similar to the original.

Seven of the eleven variations are included, selected for their ability to adapt from the diverse color of wind quintets to the textural range of four cellos:

0. Theme – Nielsen’s music for the hymn Min Jesus, lad min Hjerte faa en saaden Smag paa dig (My Jesus, make my heart to love thee), in 3/4
1. Variation I – Duet in canon
2. Variation II – omitted due to technical complexity of playing the flute part on cello
3. Variation III – omitted due to its relationship to variation II
4. Variation IV – Lively statement in rhythmic unison
5. Variation V – omitted due to technical complexity/difficulty
6. Variation VI – Somber, reflective minor statement of the theme
7. Variation VII – (bassoon) solo, presented as a cello solo
8. Variation VIII – Minor canon with drone
9. Variation IX – omitted horn solo to emphasize the bassoon solo
10. Variation X – Arpeggiated triplets with accompaniment in 2
11. Variation XI – March, and piu mosso transition into the theme
12. Theme – Triumphantly simple restatement of the theme in 4/4

The selected movements and tempi present a work totaling approximately 8 minutes. It may be played as a whole, or individual movements may be selected for performance. The combined work offers an opportunity for ensembles to gradually learn variations and eventually put together a longer performance.