The Great Dane: Nielsen at 160

Blue Lake Public Radio | By Foley Schuler

Published June 8, 2025 at 11:42 PM EDT

Tune in Monday afternoon as Foley celebrates the birthday of Carl Nielsen.

Born on June 9, 1865, Carl Nielsen was the great composer of Denmark of his era, with a compositional voice all his own. Like his fellow Dane of slightly earlier times, Hans Christen Anderson, Nielsen was a master storyteller, who could be both witty and quirky (see photos above), as well as searching and profound. The former will be on full display in his beloved Woodwind Quintet, Op. 43, and the latter in his great Symphony No. 4—"The Inextinguishable"—both of which be featured on this afternoon's Classical Music with Foley Schuler.

You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selections—and stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon from 1 until 5 on Blue Lake Public Radio.

Foley Schuler

Encouraged by creative parents, Foley began his music career at age 7, studying violin with Jean Manning at North Muskegon Public Schools. As a Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp camper, he became Blue Lake Public Radio’s first high school intern. Foley earned an English Literature degree from Hope College, and Masters in Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson College. He has performed with the West Michigan (formerly West Shore) Symphony; served on the English Department faculty at Muskegon Community College, and been the Music, Art & Theatre reviewer for the Muskegon Chronicle. He follows his love of the arts around the globe, but says, “There is no place like the Blue Lake setting, sharing extraordinary music with our listeners.” Foley hosts Blue Lake Public Radio’s weekday classical music from 1 to 5 p.m. and “Sunday on Blue Lake”.

See stories by Foley Schuler