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This Danish biographical drama pays tribute to and chronicles the rags-to-riches life of Carl Nielsen, the famed Danish 19th century composer. The story is comprised of three parts following Nielsen from age 7, 15, and 19. The first part, set in 1871, examines the family life seven-year old country boy Carl. The impoverished family has just suffered two devastating losses after one member emigrates, and another dies of TB. Carl's love of music came from his father, a fiddler. It was his father who taught him to play. The second part is set in 1879. Carl is forced by his domineering mother to join an army post in Odense. There he becomes their bugler. He also teaches himself the piano and finds himself influenced by the enigmatic Mozart playing Outzen. He then falls for Magda, a Mormon who desires to save him. The relationship doesn't work out. The third segment begins in 1883 with Carl beginning his musical career and beginning to compose. He plays at parties for the local aristocracy. He falls in love with the lovely Anna, but she rejects him.