Håkan Hardenberger, the trumpet soloist, has inspired leading contemporary composers like Harrison Birtwistle and György Ligeti to write new works for him.
Composer Biography
Knudåge Riisager, the composer, worked as a civil servant in the Ministry of Finance for 25 years, retiring as a Departmental Head in 1950.
Composition History
Riisager's ballet scores, including Slaraffenland and Tolv med Posten, established his name with the general public as a leading composer of his generation.
Historical Context
The premieres of Riisager's ballets Slaraffenland, Qarrtsiluni, and Tolv med Posten in 1942, during the German Occupation, were a huge success.
Compositional Technique
Riisager's personal style is characterized by a provocative use of dissonant seconds, a fondness for bitonality, a humorous element, and distinctive orchestration.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Riisager's early compositions were influenced by French composers like Albert Roussel and Erik Satie, as well as Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Prokofiev, Béla Bartók, and Arthur Honegger.
Recording & Production
This acclaimed recording, previously released on CD, has been re-released in outstanding SACD sound quality.
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