Herman D. Koppel (1908-1998), with a direct link with Carl Nielsen, was one of the greatest Danish musical personalities of the twentieth century. Hard-working as a composer, pianist and teacher, and patriarch of a music dynasty that has become a Danish counterpart of the Bach family. His works are influenced by the Neo-Classicism of the inter-war years and models like Bartók and Stravinsky who combine a rigorous intellect with impulsive rhythms and jagged edges. Sometimes there is a touch of jazz, which was a great preoccupation of Koppel's in the 1930s. His compositions include seven symphonies, four piano concertos, one cello concerto, an opera based on Shakespeare's Macbeth, chamber music, piano music and songs.