Thomas Jensen, the conductor for this album, was an unprejudiced and enthusiastic promoter of Danish music, comparable to Sir Adrian Boult in the UK.
Cultural Impact
Friedrich Kuhlau's 'Elverhøj' Overture includes a song, 'Kong Christian stod ved højen mast,' which is considered a national anthem in Denmark, and audiences traditionally stood during its appearance.
Recording & Production
Many of the recordings on this album are being issued for the first time since their original broadcasts, offering a panoramic view of Danish music from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Historical Context
The Tivoli Concert Hall, where some of these recordings were made, was blown up by the Germans on June 24-25, 1944, during the occupation of Denmark.
Historical Context
Tracks 1-4 on CD1 were recorded during the German occupation of Denmark in World War II, a time when music became a rallying point for national sentiment.
Composition History
Knudåge Riisager's 'Qarrtsiluni' depicts an ancient Inuit spring ritual, inspired by the travels of Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen, who died of pneumonia after eating fermented auk.
Compositional Technique
Vagn Holmboe, a composer featured on this album, developed a 'metamorphosis' technique in his music, where a melody is reshaped throughout a piece, as heard in his Symphony No. 7.
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