A study trip to Paris in 1923 exposed Riisager to new currents in contemporary music, leading to influences from French composers like Roussel and Satie, as well as Prokofiev, Honegger, Bartók, and Stravinsky.
Compositional Technique
Characteristic features in Riisager's orchestral works include kaleidoscopic treatment of motifs, abrupt key changes, emphasis on high violin registers, bitonality, and sharp clashes of seconds.
Composer Biography
Riisager maintained a full-time career as a civil servant in the Ministry of Finance, working as a Departmental Head for eleven years, alongside his prolific musical activities.
Composer Biography
Knudåge Riisager, the composer, was born in Estonia and moved to Frederiksberg, Denmark, where he lived for the rest of his life.
Compositional Technique
Riisager's personal style includes a provocative use of dissonant seconds, a fondness for bitonality, and a distinctive approach to orchestral setting.
Album & Artwork
This recording refers to Riisager's original idea of grouping the four overtures (Erasmus Montanus, Klods Hans, Comoedie, and Fastelavn) under the collective title 'Danish Pictures', though he later abandoned it.
Performer Biography
Bo Holten, the conductor, is recognized as both a conductor and a composer, having founded two vocal ensembles, Ars Nova Copenhagen and Musica Ficta, and conducting major choirs across Europe.
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