Today, San Francisco Symphony principal clarinetist Carey Bell will stand in front of the orchestra for Nielsen's clarinet concerto, led by Conductor Laureate Herbert Blomstedt. Blomstedt, of course, was the music director prior to MTT, but he still holds regular residencies with the orchestra, even though he's 87. The Swedish conductor is an expert in Scandinavian music, and of Nielsen in particular. He made the definitive recording of Nielsen's all six symphonies with the SF Symphony.

Bell, a native from Eugene, Oregon, has been the principal clarinet since 2007, and he has held a similar role before with the San Francisco Opera orchestra and the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, among others. He also plays with the SF Contemporary Music players and in many chamber groups, including the Music@Menlo festival. We talked to the young talent to learn about Nielsen's concerto and more.