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Danish National Choir  

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The Danish National Choir was founded in 1932 with the purpose of performing the wide-ranging repertoire of oratorios and symphonic works with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. The choir numbers 75 professional singers, 31 of whom are permanently employed forming the chamber choir. The remaining 44 singers are all under 5-year contracts. Every season the choir appears regularly within the Thursday Concert Series of the DNRSO and frequently participates in CD-recordings with the orchestra as well as performing in light opera pro-ductions with the Radio Concert Orchestra. Throughout the years the choir has performed with special acclaim under conductors such as Fritz Busch, Rafael Kubelik, Sergiu Celibidache, Kurt Sanderling, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Marek Janowski, Christoph Eschenbach and the Chief Conductors of the DNRSO Herbert Blomstedt (1967-77), Leif Segerstam (1989-95), Ulf Schirmer (1995-98) and the newly appointed Gerd Albrecht.

In 1937 the smaller full time professional chamber choir was established by Mogens Wöldike in order to develop the art of a cappella singing and to improve the conditions for commissioning of new works as well as the performing of already existing choral music of high quality. It is the declared goal of the Danish Broadcasting Corporation that the choir should function as an inspiration for composers of a cappella music, and performing a cappella music actually takes up a little more than 50% of the choir’s 210 annual working days. Diversity, however, is one of the choir’s trademarks; - per definition all musical eras are part of the choir’s repertoire. Mogens Wöldike was very much part of the choir until the 1970’ies, when John Alldis became Chief Conductor (1972-77). Per Enevold led the choir during the years 1985-88 until Swedish Stefan Parkman in 1989 was appointed Chief Conductor. Professor Uwe Gronostay, known also then as the artistic director of the Nederlands Kamer-koor, was Principal Guest Conductor 1992-1998, a position taken over by Stephen Layton as and from 1999.

The Danish National Choir has won great acclaim through its more than 40 dacapo, DECCA and CHANDOS CD-releases of both a cappella works and symphonic works with the DNRSO. Participating in a.o. Stockholm New Music, Ultima Festival (Oslo), The Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival and Tampere International Choir Festival as well as the BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall and concerts at Alte Oper in Frankfurt has certainly confirmed the choir’s position on the great music stages of Europe. Since 1948 the Danish National Choir has made more than 15 tours in Denmark and more than 45 tours in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia.

Live Dates

02/02/2011   Two Danish nominees for BBC Awards
Two Dacapo recordings with music by Rued Langgaard and Poul Ruders respectively have been nominated for the perstiguous BBC Music Magazine Awards 2011. You can vote too!
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06/08/2010   Langgaard and Dausgaard conquer London
Rued Langgaard's grandiose "Music of the Spheres" is given its UK premiere almost a century late at this year's BBC Prom 35 - and now appears on a new CD
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12/09/2011   Classics Today France (10/10)

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"Pour ceux qui connaissent déjà l'univers de ce Scriabine nordique, par exemple à travers l'opéra Antikrist, ce SACD sera du pur bonbon."
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25/03/2011   MusicWeb International

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
CD of the Month - March 2011 "Absolutely not to be missed!"
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13/03/2011   Klassik.com

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"Es gelingt hervorragend, die Qualitäten von Langgaards Musik aufs Beste zu akzentuieren."
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05/03/2011   Klassik.com

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Idomeneo, re di Creta
"Adam Fischer malt mit feinem Pinsel, sein Interesse gilt - bei aller ‚Wildheit‘ - eher Nuancen als großspurigen, volltönenden Gesten."
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25/02/2011   Fanfare

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"Works of genius, or manifestations of madness-or both-these at the least are compelling listening."
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25/02/2011   Fanfare

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Idomeneo, re di Creta
"Adam Fischer understands that Mozart's music should be elegant ... this is a good release."
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01/02/2011   Orpheus

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Idomeneo, re di Creta
"Einer sehr homogenen Vokalbesetzung."
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11/01/2011   Classique Info

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"Thomas Dausgaard propose ici une version moins spectaculaire, plus mystique et peut-être en définitive plus satisfaisante"
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11/11/2010   MusicWeb

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Idomeneo, re di Creta
"Historically astute, sensitive and absorbing … recorded to the highest of modern standards and beautifully presented."
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10/11/2010   Dagens Nyheter

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
4/5 Stars

"Verket i sig väckte en fascination som inneburit en oväntad försäljningsframgång för den inspelning som utkommit."
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01/11/2010   OPUS

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
5/5 Stars

OPUS Rekommanderar - "Framförandet är i superklass och inspelningen helt fenomenal ... Ändå, Årets CD!"
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01/11/2010   Gramophone

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"Superbly played and recorded disc ... Highly recommended."
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27/10/2010   Gapplegate Music Review

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"The performances are excellent and the sound is good."
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11/10/2010   BBC Music Magazine

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
5/5 Stars

"Stunningly ambitious and well-executed...Amazing."
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04/10/2010   The Arts Desk

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"This is possibly the strangest, most delicious music you’re likely to hear all year. Fabulous.”
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29/09/2010   Los Angeles Times

Asger Hamerik: The Symphonies
"These are works of generous spirit, melodies spilling out, harmonies going in slightly unusual places, pleasing to the ear and spirit. They are of their time, gorgeously played and warmly recorded by the Danish label DaCapo."
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29/09/2010   Kristeligt Dagblad

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
4/5 Stars

"Et flot requiem af en af Danmarks mest spændende komponister"
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29/09/2010   Fyens Stiftstidende

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
5/5 Stars

"Takket være Thomas Dausgaards enorme overblik og dybe indsigt står hver en passage lysende klart."
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29/09/2010   NPR

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"If there was ever any music suitable for a planetarium, this is it!"
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14/09/2010   Classics Today (10/10)

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"The music is terrific and wholly gripping ... stunningly recorded and beautifully performed ... A truly awesome event" 10/10 - CD OF THE MONTH OCTOBER 2010
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08/09/2010   Jyllands-Posten

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"En gave til et nyt stort publikum."
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06/09/2010   Klassisk

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
5/5 Stars

"Som lytter løftes man med og op på denne intense bølge af vellyd."
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16/08/2010   Musikansich.de

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
6/6 Stars

"Sphärenmusik darf beanspruchen, eines der merkwürdigsten und fantastischen Werke des frühen 20. Jahrhunderts zu sein."
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13/08/2010   Berlingske Tidende

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"Hør den endelig!"
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13/08/2010   Politiken

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
4/6 Hjerter

“Musikken klang så himmelsk og diffus i Royal Albert Halls særprægede akustik, som den vel overhovedet kan komme til.”
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12/08/2010   Information

Rued Langgaard: Music og the Spheres
“De gjorde det alle fremragende oppe på podiet under Thomas Dausgaard, og publikum tog mærkbart den ejendommelige musik til sig.”
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01/06/2010   Audiophil

Asger Hamerik: Symfonierne
"Faszinierender Intensität und ergreifender Schönheit."
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30/04/2010   Sequenza 21

Vagn Holmboe: The Key Masterpieces
"The performances on this program are universally fine."
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29/03/2010   Sequenza 21

Per Nørgård:Symphonies 3 and 7
"You hear everything that happens and everyone is performing on their highest level."
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01/02/2010   Gramophone

Asger Hamerik: The Symphonies
"Top-notch sound from Dacapo makes this a highly enjoyable set."
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25/11/2009   Musicweb International

Asger Hamerik: The Symphonies
"Dacapo do their usual truly outstanding job in documenting these discs..."
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01/07/2009   Gramophone

Rued Langgaard: The Symphonies
"Dausgaard, Danish Radio and Dacapo do the cycle proud."
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17/06/2009   Classics Today

Per Nørgård: Symphonies 3 & 7
"If you're looking for some really good contemporary music ... then this powerfully engineered production offers a perfect opportunity to satisfy your craving."
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03/02/2009   Politiken

Rued Langgaard: The Symphonies
5/6 Hjerter

"Samtlige 16 svulmende, velorkestrerede orkesterudsagn er hermed indspillet. Langgaard-fans, kom ud af skabene og tag for jer!"
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27/01/2005   Politiken

Ib Nørholm: Choral Works
4/6 Hjerter

"Klare og karakteristiske stemningsfarver, en mængde lunerigt træfsikre maleriske detaljer og en frisk og yndefuld korisk diktion”
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14/06/2002   Classics Today (10/10)

Vagn Holmboe: Requiem for Nietzsche
"A powerful work on many levels, a serious statement from a composer of genuine vision ... A real find."
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22/05/2002   BBC Music Magazine

Vagn Holmboe: Requiem for Nietzsche
5/6 Stars

"Both the soloists are impressive and Michael Schønwandt and his chorus and orchestra seem totally possessed."
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15/03/1996   Répertoire

F.L.Ae. Kunzen: Holger Danske
"A major discovery. This is a truly fascinating and worthy work in an exemplary production and presentation. Check it out."
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15/03/1996   BBC Music Magazine

F.L.Ae. Kunzen: Holger Danske
5 Stars

"This is a fascinating and hugely enjoyable set."
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15/03/1996   Orpheus

F.L.Ae. Kunzen: Holger Danske
"Dank an dacapo dieses Schmuckstück ausgegraben zu haben."
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15/03/1996  

F.L.Ae. Kunzen Holger Danske
AMERICAN GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE
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15/03/1996   Opera News

F.L.Ae. Kunzen: Holger Danske
"With masterful conducting by Thomas Dausgaard, an orchestra of international caliber and recording of wide dynamic range and good balance, Holger Danske has the makings of a real sleeper."
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15/03/1996  

F.L.Ae. Kunzen: Holger Danske
DANISH GRAMMY AWARD
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15/03/1996   The Oakland Tribune

F.L.Ae. Kunzen: Holger Danske
"The quality of Kunzen’s music is so high, this is like discovering a mature Mozart work."
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15/03/1996   Classical Pulse

F.L.Ae. Kunzen: Holger Danske
"Another marvelous discovery from Dacapo."
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15/03/1996   Fanfare

F.L.Ae. Kunzen: Holger Danske
"If I don't include this recording in my year-end list of preferences, may my right hand forget its cunning."
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15/03/1996   American Record Guide

F.L.Ae. Kunzen: Holger Danske
"This recording is first-rate."
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15/04/1995   Classical Music on the Web

Per Nørgård: Siddharta
"The recording is perfectly satisfactory and I am happy to recommend this essential acquisition for those interested to explore this improtant composer."
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15/04/1995   American Record Guide

Per Nørgård: Siddharta
"Superb performances."
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Photo: Camilla Utke Schiøler

Discography

Idomeneo, re di Creta
Idomeneo, re di Creta
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

SACD 6.220586-89 (2010)

Adam Fischer’s sparkling Idomeneo includes the original ballet music in the complete recording of Mozart’s opera seria

Music of the Spheres
Music of the Spheres
Rued Langgaard

SACD 6.220535 (2010)

Rued Langgaard’s most visionary works form the impressive conclusion to Dacapo’s acclaimed Dausgaard-Langgaard cycle

Antikrist
Antikrist
Rued Langgaard

BD 2.110409BD (2010)

Blu-ray version of the acclaimed DVD production of Rued Langgaard's doomsday opera

The Symphonies [4-SACD Box set]
The Symphonies [4-SACD Box set]
Asger Hamerik

SACD 6.200002 (2009)

Denmark’s most international 19th-century composer steps out in all his romantic orchestral glory

The Key Masterpieces
The Key Masterpieces
Vagn Holmboe

CD 8.226101-02 (2009)

An outstanding introduction to the clear-sighted master of 20th-century Nordic music

Symphonies 3 and 7
Symphonies 3 and 7
Per Nørgård

SACD 6.220547 (2009)

Sensational recording of Nørgård’s 7th Symphony and his epoch-making Symphony no. 3

The Symphonies [7-SACD box set]
The Symphonies [7-SACD box set]
Rued Langgaard

SACD 6.200001 (2009)

All Langgaard’s 16 symphonies collected in one beautiful box; a watershed release!

Symphonies 15-16
Symphonies 15-16
Rued Langgaard

SACD 6.220519 (2008)

The last two symphonies and a handful of short pieces by the Romantic firebrand Langgaard

Corona
Corona
Hanne Ørvad

CD 8.226534 (2008)

Spacious, magical choral music sung by three virtuoso ensembles

Symphonies 12-14
Symphonies 12-14
Rued Langgaard

SACD 6.220517 (2006)

Three symphonies that cover the whole field of Langgaard’s corrosive, schizophrenic view of music

Antikrist
Antikrist
Rued Langgaard

SACD 6.220523-24 (2006)

The SACD production of Rued Langgaard's magnificent doomsday vision. allegorical opera

The Little Match Girl; Die Seejungfrau
The Little Match Girl; Die Seejungfrau
August Enna; Alexander Zemlinsky

CD 8.226048 (2006)

Zemlinsky meets Danish opera in a double tribute to Hans Christian Andersen

Choral-Symphony; Requiem
Choral-Symphony; Requiem
Asger Hamerik

CD 8.226033 (2006)

A full-blown romantic masterpiece by Berlioz’ favourite Danish pupil

Antikrist (DVD)
Antikrist (DVD)
Rued Langgaard

DVD 2.110402 (2005)

Langgaard’s ecstatic vision of doom in prizewinning recording. Indescribable!

Maskarade
Maskarade
Carl Nielsen

CD 6.220507-08 (2004)

Nielsen’s stage masterpiece in a classic recording with the conductor John Frandsen

Choral Works
Choral Works
Ib Nørholm

CD 8.224700 (2004)

Winter music of great purity and poetry by a master composer of our time

Requiem for Nietzsche
Requiem for Nietzsche
Vagn Holmboe

CD 8.224207 (2002)

An impressive, uncompromising oratorio based on the life of Nietzsche – a major work in Danish music

Symphonies 6-8
Symphonies 6-8
Rued Langgaard

CD 8.224180 (2001)

First CD in the definitive series of recordings of Langgaard’s strange and wonderful symphonies

Archipel des solitudes
Archipel des solitudes
Niels Rosing-Schow

CD 8.224163 (2001)

Overdådig skønhed i denne fransk-inspirerede sangcyklus til tekster af Gilles Gourdon

Renaissance
Renaissance
P.E. Lange-Müller

CD 8.224109 (2000)

Fuldmoden dansk nationalromantik af en elsket mester

The Tower of Babel
The Tower of Babel
Ludolf Nielsen

CD 8.224157 (2000)

Et visionært storværk fra den danske symbolisme, indspillet for første gang

Yndigt dufter Danmark
Yndigt dufter Danmark
Svend S. Schultz

CD 8.224108 (1999)

Schultz’ elskede kormusik er essensen af den korte danske sommer

Liden Kirsten
Liden Kirsten
J.P.E. Hartmann

CD 8.224106-07 (1999)

The beloved ballad opera with a libretto by Hans Christian Andersen. Denmark in a nutshell!

The Hallelujah of Creation
The Hallelujah of Creation
F.L.Ae. Kunzen

CD 8.224070 (1998)

Kunzen’s oratorio and his only symphony are jewels of Danish Vienna Classicism

Der var engang (Once upon a time)
Der var engang (Once upon a time)
P.E. Lange-Müller

CD 8.224084 (1997)

Songs and music from the Romantic fairytale comedy. A bestseller 100 years ago and today!

Moses
Moses
Herman D. Koppel

CD 8.224046 (1996)

Luna; Symphony No. 3; Twilight
Luna; Symphony No. 3; Twilight
Per Nørgård

CD 8.224041 (1996)

Holger Danske
Holger Danske
F.L.Ae. Kunzen

CD 8.224036-37 (1995)

Siddharta
Siddharta
Per Nørgård

CD 8.224031-32 (1995)

Vocal and Instrumental Works
Vocal and Instrumental Works
Bernhard Lewkovitch

DCCD 9207-08 (1993)

Orchestral Works
Orchestral Works
Svend Erik Tarp

DCCD 9005 (1992)

Royal Music
Royal Music

DCCD 9020 (1992)


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