Thomas Dausgaard (Born 1963)

conductor

Thomas Dausgaard became Chief Conductor of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra in August 2004. The orchestra has developed impressively under his leadership, embracing his energy and creativity. With Dausgaard they tour world-wide, performing in Berlin, Vienna, Paris, Amsterdam and London and they have also recorded extensively together. Of particular note is their disc of Nielsen works which was nominated for a 2007 Gramophone award. The Swedish Chamber Orchestra has also flourished under Dausgaard’s direction since he took up his position there in 1997. Having brought this group from a regional orchestra to international attention over the past decade, he and the orchestra have recorded all of Beethoven’s orchestral music for Simax, and they continue to record prolifically, breaking with tradition as a chamber orchestra to record all of Schumann’s symphonies and a selection of symphonies from Dvorák, Schubert, Schumann and Bruckner for BIS.

Thomas Dausgaard guest conducts several of the world’s leading orchestras. Recent and future guest conducting highlights include engagements with Vienna Symphony Orchestra (both at the Musikverein and the Vienna Konzerthaus), Berlin Konzerthausorchester, SWR Stuttgart, Czech Philharmonic, Verdi Orchestra Milano and Netherlands Radio Philharmonic amongst others. He works with the leading Scandinavian Orchestras, including the Swedish Radio, Oslo and Stockholm Philharmonics. In the UK, Dausgaard works with the Bournemouth Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and he returns to the Proms in 2010 with both the Danish National Symphony and Swedish Chamber Orchestra.

Thomas Dausgaard also conducts regularly in North America. He has worked with many of the major orchestras including the Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, Saint Louis Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Houston Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra. The current season has included a return to the Toronto Symphony, where he conducted a hugely successful Sibelius cycle which received the highest critical acclaim, and concerts with the Seattle Symphony, where Dausgaard was praised by the Seattle Times for his ‘distinguished interpretations’. Dausgaard also makes regular appearances at the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York and in the 10/11 season, he will make his debut with the Cleveland Orchestra.

Thomas Dausgaard already has a discography of more than 30 recordings with companies such as Dacapo Records, Chandos, Simax and EMI Medley. His recent releases have included Nielsen and Langgaard works for Dacapo and Berlioz for Chandos. His much praised DVD recording of Langgaard’s opera Antikrist on the Dacapo label won ‘DVD of the Year’ at the 2005 International Internet Awards.

Live Dates

03/05/2012   Langgaard's 11 Symphony at the BBC Proms 2012
Til sommer vil Rued Langgaards musik igen lyde i Royal Albert Hall som del af BBCs berømte række af promenadekoncerter, The BBC Proms.
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10/10/2011   Gramophone feature: "Everyones talking about Nielsen"
Complex and contradictory, Nielsen's wide output has been sidelined for more than half a century. But, argues Andrew Mellor from Gramophone, we might at last be on the brink of a major, reputation-shifting Nielsen revival. Read the article here
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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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30/08/2010   Historic Langgaard debut at BBC Proms
English critics agree: last week's BBC Proms concert was the definitive international breakthrough of the Danish outsider composer Rued Langgaard
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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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02/08/2010   New videos: Music of the Spheres
Promotion video from the recording sessions for Rued Langgaard's "Music of the Spheres" - and a bonus story told by Per Nørgård
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28/06/2009   Dausgaard on Langgaard

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01/01/2013 Music Web International

Rued Langgaard: The Symphonies
"Music of near genius, quirk and quiddity; this bumper set has it all.", "Dacapo’s Super Audio recording is very impressive indeed."
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05/02/2012 Classics Today (10/10)

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 1 - Orchestral Music
"If you haven't yet heard these performances, then this set will be a mandatory acquisition, particularly if you want to get a big chunk of Nielsen in a single shot"
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28/11/2011 Pizzicato

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 1 - Orchestral Music
5/5 Stars

"Schønwandt zeigt mit seinem Nielsen, dass die bei anderen Dirrigenten festgestellte Klangopulenz die sechs Symphonien des Dänen zwar spektakulär werden lässt, dabei jedoch unendlich viele Details untergehen, die die Musik unerhört reich werden lassen."
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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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12/09/2011 Søndag

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 1 - Orchestral Music
"Noget af det mest kraftfulde og livsbekræftende inden for nyere skandinavisk komposition"
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31/08/2011 Kristeligt Dagblad

Carl Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 1 - Orchestral Music
5/6 Stars

"Pragtfulde værker, spillet med saft og kraft, lige fra forspillet til Maskarade til Helios-ouverturen"
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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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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

Knudåge Riisager: Orchestral Works
"Riisager's orchestrations are uniformly brilliant, his lovely melodies charming or nostalgic."
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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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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 OPUS

Knudåge Riisager: Orchestral Works
5/5 Stars

"Underbara bekantskaper!"
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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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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 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 NPR

Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
"If there was ever any music suitable for a planetarium, this is it!"
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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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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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17/06/2010 Audiophile Audition

Knudåge Riisager: Orchestral Music
5/5 Stars

"One of the loveliest ballet selections I've had the pleasure to hear. And the orchestra plays with great savoir faire."
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01/06/2010 Audiophil

Asger Hamerik: Symfonierne
"Faszinierender Intensität und ergreifender Schönheit."
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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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09/03/2010 Classics Today

Knudåge Riisager: Orchestral Works
“This reissue gives new life to a delightful disc that anyone who loves, say, Ravel and early 20th century French ballet will find absolutely irresistible."
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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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01/01/2010 International Record Review

Kronos plays Holmgreen
"Fearless performances are in evidence throughout"
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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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02/03/2009 American Record Guide

Kronos plays Holmgreen
"I don't think I've heard the Kronos Quartet sounding better than this"
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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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16/01/2009 Classics Today

Rued Langgaard: The Symphonies
"It's great to see a national label working so hard and so successfully to preserve its cultural heritage."
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01/10/2007 Gramophone

Carl Nielsen: Orchestral Music
EDITOR'S CHOICE - "This is outstanding..."
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30/01/2007 Politiken

Carl Nielsen: Orchestral Music
5/6 Hjerter

"Ligesom i forspillet og den kække 'Hanedans' fra 'Maskerade' behandler Thomas Dausgaard musikken klart og muskuløst. Det er energiske fortolkninger med minimale mængder af lommeuld"
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13/01/2005 Politiken

Hans Abrahamsen: Orchestral Works
6/6 Stars

”Få danske komponister fortjener mere end Hans Abrahamsen en orkester-cd, men hans lige så sparsomme som udsøgte produktion gør det svært at fylde den ud. Det er her smukt løst ved at supplere med de raffineret personlige bearbejdelser af andres musik”
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15/02/2002

Asger Hamerik: Symphonies 5-6
DANISH MUSIC AWARD 2002
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15/02/2002 Berlingske Tidende

Asger Hamerik: Symphonies 5-6
"Musikken er i glimrende hænder hos Thomas Dausgaard og Helsingborg Symfoniorkester, ligesom optagelserne er af eksemplarisk kvalitet."
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17/01/2002 Classics Today (10/10)

Asger Hamerik: Symphonies 5-6
"Most certainly deserves a place in your CD collection."
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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

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

F.L.Ae. Kunzen: Holger Danske
"Dank an dacapo dieses Schmuckstück ausgegraben zu haben."
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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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Photo: Per Morten Abrahamsen

Discography

	The Masterworks Vol. 1 - Orchestral Music Carl Nielsen CD 8.206002 (2011) The Danish National Symphony Orchestra's hailed recordings of Nielsen's orchestral music, including the six symphonies on both CD and DVD, now beautifully boxed
	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 Rued Langgaard BD 2.110409BD (2010) Blu-ray version of the acclaimed DVD production of Rued Langgaard's doomsday opera
	Orchestral Works Knudåge Riisager SACD 6.220584 (2010) A sparkling SACD re-issue of Riisager's most colourful Neo-Classicist works
	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 J.P.E. Hartmann CD 8.226103-04 (2009) A portrait of the key figure of Danish National Romanticism, who embraced all genres
	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 3 and 7 Per Nørgård SACD 6.220547 (2009) Sensational recording of Nørgård’s 7th Symphony and his epoch-making Symphony no. 3
	Symphonies 15-16 Rued Langgaard SACD 6.220519 (2008) The last two symphonies and a handful of short pieces by the Romantic firebrand Langgaard
	Kronos plays Holmgreen Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen SACD 6.220548 (2008) The world-famous American Kronos Quartet plays three of Gudmundsen-Holmgreen’s lush works
	Symphony No. 1 Rued Langgaard SACD 6.220525 (2008) The amazing breakthrough work by the child prodigy Langgaard is still Denmark’s biggest symphony
	Symphonies No. 2 and 3 Rued Langgaard SACD 6.220516 (2007) Two of Langgaard’s most colourful, optimistic symphonies
	Vølvens spådom J.P.E. Hartmann CD 8.226061 (2007) Old Norse visions and National-Romantic overtures about the heroes of the Viking Age
	Orchestral Music Carl Nielsen SACD 6.220518 (2007) Prizewinning collection of Carl Nielsen’s shorter orchestral pieces – a revelation
	Romantic Trombone Concertos SACD 6.220526 (2006) One of the world’s best trombonists shines in works by among others Holmboe and Launy Grøndahl
	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 Rued Langgaard SACD 6.220523-24 (2006) The SACD production of Rued Langgaard's magnificent doomsday vision. allegorical opera
	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
	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 Asger Hamerik CD 8.226033 (2006) A full-blown romantic masterpiece by Berlioz’ favourite Danish pupil
	Antikrist (DVD) Rued Langgaard DVD 2.110402 (2005) Langgaard’s ecstatic vision of doom in prizewinning recording. Indescribable!
	Orchestral Works Hans Abrahamsen CD 8.226010 (2004) Major works by the enigmatic master of contemporary Danish music
	Symphonies 4-5 Rued Langgaard CD 8.224215 (2002) ¨The first recording ever of the two very different versions of the Fifth Symphony, as well as the masterpiece Leaf Fall
	Symphonies 5-6 Asger Hamerik CD 8.224161 (2001) Winner of Danish Release of the Year (2002)! Two magnificent symphonies from the 1890s
	Symphonies 9-11 Rued Langgaard CD 8.224182 (2001) The six-minute Symphony no. 11, Ixion, is intensely minimal music from 1944
	Symphonies 6-8 Rued Langgaard CD 8.224180 (2001) First CD in the definitive series of recordings of Langgaard’s strange and wonderful symphonies
	Ouvertures J.P.E. Hartmann CD 8.224097 (1998) Danish High Romanticism when it is best and most itself – not least in the national treasure The Golden Horns
	Symphonies 3-4 Asger Hamerik CD 8.224088 (1998) Romantic music in the grand style. Symphonie Majestueuse (no. 4) is dedicated to King Christian IX
	Symphonies 1-2 Asger Hamerik CD 8.224076 (1997) First recording of Symphonies 1 & 2 by the roving Asger Hamerik, a pupil of Berlioz pursuing a great career in the USA
	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
	Symphonies 1-2 J.P.E. Hartmann CD 8.224042 (1996)
	Holger Danske F.L.Ae. Kunzen CD 8.224036-37 (1995)