Festival Prelude
The year 1900 found Carl Nielsen still working on his opera “Saul and David” but he took time off to write a short celebratory piano piece - Fest-præludium ved Aarhundredskiftet ("for the turn of the century") which was duly performed and soon forgotten.
If you are familiar with the Prelude to Act II of the opera you will recognise the style immediately, and this Festival Prelude is ideal if you require a brisk opener - it's even short enough to begin a second half!
Although this arrangement is written for full orchestra the third woodwind parts and the harp are optional.