ARS NOVA Copenhagen

choir

The ensemble Vocal Group Ars Nova, consisting of twelve singers, is one of Scandinavia’s leading chamber Choirs in the field of polyphonic Renaissance choral music and experimental vocal music of our own period. Ars Nova has recorded many internationally acclaimed CD's and has given more than a thousand concerts in Europe, Israel, Japan, Africa, South America and USA. Ars Nova was started in 1979 by a group of singers and the conductor Bo Holten. Since 1996 Hungarian-born Tamás Vetö has been the principal conductor of the choir. Ars Nova has worked with prominent conductors like Peter Philips (The Tallis Scholars), Bruno Turner (Pro Cantione Antiqua) and Paul Hillier (The Hilliard Ensemble, Theatre of Voices), the regular guest conductor of the ensemble since 1997. Ars Nova has been among the pioneers in work on polyphonic Renaissance choral music, with highly acclaimed performances of the masterpieces of the period, by composers like des Prez, Tallis, di Lasso, Palestrina and Taverner; the choir has also rediscovered neglected masters like Pierre de la Rue, Nicolas Gombert, Philipe de Magalhaes, Giaches de Wert, Alonso and Duante Lobo, Manuel Cardoso and Jacob Obrecht, to whom Ars Nova and Paul Hillier have devoted a whole CD. In avant-garde music Ars Nova focuses on music after 1968 and in this connection has worked closely with Nordic composers like Per Nørgård, Ib Nørholm, Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, Sven-David Sandstrøm, Poul Ruders and Hans Abrahamsen, all of whom have written works for the ensemble. The same applies to central jazz composers like Jan Gabarek, Palle Mikkelborg, Pierre Dørge, Marilyn Mazur and Egberto Gismonti. Ars Nova also works with contemporary music drama, and has collaborated with among others Bill Forsythe (the Stuttgart Ballet), Peter Langdal (Betty Nansen Theatre) and Kirsten Dehlholm (Billedstofteater and Hotel Pro Forma), whose Operation: Orfeo Ars Nova premiered in 1993 and has appeared in since. Ars Nova has been responsible for more than 150 first performances, and the repertoire includes works by Takemitsu, Gorecki, Pärt, Riley and John Cage, whose choral works Ars Nova recorded on CD in 1998.
Ars Nova was awarded the Danish Music Critics' Artist's Prize in 1998, a Danish Grammy in 1991 for the recording of sacred music by Nicolas Gombert, and a Diapason d'Or (France) for their CD of works by Josquin des Prez.

Live Dates

Gramophone nomination for Paul Hillier and ARS NOVA Copenhagen
The world's leading periodical for classical music has just revealed the nominations for the Gramophone Award 2010.
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ARS NOVA og Paul Hillier nomineret til en Gramophone Award
Verdens førende tidsskrift for klassisk musik, engelske Gramophone, har nomineret Schütz-CD med det danske vokalensemble ARS NOVA Copenhagen og dirigent Paul Hillier til den prestigefulde Gramophone Award 2010.
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Diary and new video: Hillier and Schütz
In his online diary and in a new promotion video, conductor Paul Hillier tells the story of our highly acclaimed Schütz series.
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CD recommendations by Paul Hillier
Paul Hillier recommends his three favourite Dacapo CDs
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23 June 2010 Klassik.com

Heinrich Schütz: Die Sieben Worte; Johannes-Passion
"Technisch, intonatorisch und klanglich wird zweifellos ein hohes Niveau geboten. Auch die beteiligten Instrumente unterstreichen das. Sie formen in der 'Symphonia' eine sehr schöne Klangsphäre, begleiten die Jesus-Worte geschmackvoll, dezent und ausgewogen."
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01 June 2010 Gramophone

W.A. Mozart: Mitridate
"I shall be surprised to hear a more satisfying Mozart opera recording any time soon". <br>RECORDING OF THE MONTH - June 2010
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03 May 2010 Sequenza 21

Rued Langgaard: Rose Garden Songs
"The 12-member Ars Nova Copenhagen under Tamás Vetö is a premiere vocal ensemble, distinguished for its perfect blend, flawless intonation and expressiveness."
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18 April 2010 Dansk Musik Tidsskrift

Heinrich Schütz: Die Sieben Worte; Johannes-Passion
"Det er flot at Dacapo kan udgive denne serie med et dansk ensemble, der kan skabe en så sublim oplevelse."
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24 March 2010 Politiken

Heinrich Schütz: Die Sieben Worte; Johannes-Passion

"I det store og svimlende atmosfæriske kirkerum blander de ligefremme stemmer sig til et væv af dybt interessante linjer."
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09 March 2010 Aachener Zeitung

Heinrich Schütz: Weinachtshistorie; Auferstehungshistorie

"Schütz schlägt aus jedem Wort musikalisch kostbare Funken."
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08 March 2010 Classics Today

W.A. Mozart: Mitridate re di Ponto
“This set is a winner.”
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04 March 2010 American Record Guide

Rued Langgaard: Rose Garden Songs
"There's not an unattractive sound anywhere in the program... Aided by handsome SACD sonics, the choir sounds gorgeous from start to finish."
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01 March 2010 Fanfare

Rued Langgaard: Rose Garden Songs
"Admirers of great a cappella singing who don't own these performances are urged to make their acquaintance."
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24 February 2010 Musicweb International

Rued Langgaard: Rose Garden Songs
"In every way then, this is a lovely disc."
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09 February 2010 Musikeren

Heinrich Schütz: Weinachtshistorie; Auferstehungshistorie
"En forrygende indspilning."
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09 February 2010 The Daily Telegraph

Heinrich Schütz: Weihnachtshistorie; Auferstehungshistorie
"Vocally first-rate, this is a disc on which solemnity and vitality coalesce."
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02 February 2010 Diapason

Heinrich Schütz: Weinachtshistorie; Auferstehungshistorie

"Superbement dramatique."
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01 February 2010 International Record Review

Heinrich Schütz: Weihnachtshistorie; Auferstehungshistorie
"This is an exceptionally well-recorded disc and Paul Hillier directs both works with obvious insight and affection"
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01 February 2010 Klassisk

Heinrich Schütz: Weinachtshistorie; Auferstehungshistorie

"De sanglige præstationer er smukke ... En indspilning, som lægger op til en fordybelse."
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01 February 2010 BBC Music Magazine

Heinrich Schütz: Weihnachtshistorie; Auerstehungshistorie

"The performance is first-rate throughout. A disc to cherish!"
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04 November 2009 Audiophile Audition

Rued Langgaard: Rose Garden Songs

"If your choral collection needs some refreshing, you've found a perfect starting place."
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01 November 2009 Fanfare

Heinrich Schütz: Lukas-Passion
"Tenor Johan Linderoth is superb in the demanding role of the Evangelist"
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01 November 2009 BBC Music Magazine

Heinrich Schütz: Lukas-Passion

"ARS NOVA's intonation is superb, creating a rich tone in a reverberant Copenhagen Church."
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01 September 2009 Gramophone

Heinrich Schütz: Lukas-Passion
"Paul Hillier delivers a first-rate recording to launch a promising Schütz series"
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Discography

	Die Sieben Worte; Johannes-Passion Heinrich Schütz CD 8.226093 (2010) Another set of stunning Baroque works in the third volume of ARS NOVA's and Paul Hillier's now hailed Schütz series
	Mitridate re di Ponto Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart SACD 6.220580-82 (2009)
	Weihnachtshistorie; Auferstehungshistorie Heinrich Schütz CD 8.226058 (2009) Two Masterly examples of the Early Vocal Baroque with Ars Nova Copenhagen and Paul Hillier
	Rose Garden Songs Rued Langgaard SACD 6.220561 (2009) New SACD version of Langgaard’s alluring, mysterious a cappella works
	Lukas-Passion Heinrich Schütz CD 8.226019 (2009) The intense rigour of Schütz’ music is in perfect hands with Paul Hillier
	Taverner & Tudor Music II John Taverner CD 8.226056 (2008) Taverner’s monumental mass Gloria Tibi Trinitas and music by among others Tallis and William Byrd
	Lucio Silla Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart CD 8.226069-71 (2008)
	Butterfly Valley Svend Nielsen CD 8.224706 (2007) A born classic: virtuoso a cappella cycle of Inger Christensen’s famous sonnets
	In C Terry Riley CD 8.226049 (2006) The new “Copenhagen version” of the greatest masterpiece of minimalism
	Taverner & Tudor Music I John Taverner CD 8.226050 (2006) John Taverner’s famous Western Wind Mass supplemented with other English music from the 1500s
	The Little Mermaid; The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town Bent Sørensen; Per Nørgård CD 8.226046 (2006) Two new Danish masterworks inspired by Hans Christian Andersen
	Mythic Morning - Choral Works II Per Nørgård SACD 6.220510 (2005) Virtuoso choral works – a beautiful, seductive introduction to Nørgård’s universe
	Belisa Poul Rovsing Olsen CD 8.226013 (2004) Chamber opera based on Lorca’s erotic, surreal drama
	Americana Ib Nørholm CD 8.224168 (2000)
	Singe die Gärten Per Nørgård CD 8.224115 (1999) Fascinating, seductive music with the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Ars Nova
	Orchestral Works Knudåge Riisager CD 8.224082 (1997) Riisager’s music has the same esprit as his French models, not least in his infectious ballet music from the 1930s
	Music for Voices and Instruments Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen CD 8.224056 (1997) Razor-sharp vocal works from a 25-year period with texts by among others Samuel Beckett
	Winds and Voices. Music at the Court of King Christian III CD 8.224029 (1995)