Carl Nielsen (1865 - 1931)
Prelude to Act 2 of "Saul & David", Op. 25

Carl Nielsen spent the years from 1890 to 1905 playing second violin in the Royal Theatre orchestra in Copenhagen, and it was during this time that he wrote his two operas. "Saul and David" was the first, based on the biblical story in which the shepherd boy David, who plays the harp so beautifully, slays the Philistine giant Goliath with his sling and stones, and eventually becomes king of the Israelites after the death of King Saul in battle.

The Prelude to Act 2 is quite short, and depicts David in his character as warrior and hints at the king-to-be: the opening war-like trumpet summons gives way to more ceremonial music towards the end.