Nielsen’s Symphony No 1 draws inspiration from Brahms and Dvořák but also contains hints of the progressive tonality for which he was later celebrated. His enigmatic final symphony, entitled 'Sinfonia semplice' (Simple Symphony), suggesting a work of 'entirely idyllic character', turns out to be anything but this. Though written 30 years apart, both works feature folk-inflections, tonal ambiguity, and Nielsen’s distinctive anti-Romantic style.