Herman D. Koppel, born in 1908, trained at the Copenhagen Conservatory and debuted as a composer in 1929 and as a pianist in 1930.
Recording & Production
The Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, featured on this recording, is the oldest radio orchestra in the world, founded in 1925.
Performer Biography
Leo Hansen, the violinist on this recording, was the leader of the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1945 and participated in over 600 chamber music broadcasts.
Composition History
Herman D. Koppel's Cello Concerto, his only one to date, was specially written for the then twenty-year-old Erling Blondal Bengtsson, who premiered it in 1952.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Herman D. Koppel's compositional starting point was Carl Nielsen, but his music also shows influences from jazz and composers like Stravinsky and Bartók.
Historical Context
During the German occupation of Denmark (1940-45), Herman D. Koppel, who was of Jewish origin, had to flee to Sweden.
Performer Biography
Erling Blondal Bengtsson, the cellist on this recording, premiered numerous works written specially for him by leading Scandinavian composers, including Herman D. Koppel's Cello Concerto.
You might also enjoy...
Berg: Chamber Concerto & Violin Concerto
Hart, E.: Under an Indigo Sky
Kurt Weill / Alban Berg: Concertos
Berg: Violin Concerto; Kammerkonzert
Piazzolla: Sinfonia Buenos Aires
Concertos & Symphonies of the 18th Century
Price: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, Piano Concerto in One Movement in D minor & Dances in the Canebrakes
Dutilleux / Bartók / Stravinsky: Violin Concertos
Escape To Paradise - The Hollywood Album
Kabalevsky: Violin Concerto in C Major / Cello Concerto No. 2
Skalkottas: Two Concertos
Bloch: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra - Concerto Grosso No. 1
