Dive into the enchanting and mysterious world of Per Nørgård's "Lygtemaendene tager til byen" (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town) and Bent Sørensen's "Den lille havfrue" (The Little Mermaid) in this captivating 2006 release from Dacapo Records. This album is a mesmerizing blend of neoclassical and avant-garde compositions that will intrigue and delight fans of innovative and thought-provoking music.
Per Nørgård's "Lygtemaendene tager til byen" is a dramatic and engaging work, divided into ten scenes, each telling a part of a larger, eerie narrative. The story, narrated through a chorus, various characters, and the will-o'-the-wisps themselves, is a haunting exploration of folklore and the supernatural. The piece is known for its intricate composition and the way it weaves together different voices and instruments to create a rich, atmospheric soundscape.
Complementing Nørgård's work is Bent Sørensen's "Den lille havfrue," a three-movement piece inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale. Sørensen's composition is a beautiful and evocative exploration of the story's themes, with the chorus, soprano, and tenor voices combining to create a sense of longing, tragedy, and hope.
The album features the talented performers Thomas Dausgaard, DR SymfoniOrkestret, and a cast of skilled vocalists, including Henning-Jensen, Kihlberg, Gjerris, and Jensen. Their performances bring Nørgård and Sørensen's compositions to life, adding depth and nuance to the already rich and complex pieces.
With a total runtime of just over an hour, this album is a substantial and rewarding listen, offering a deep dive into the worlds created by Nørgård and Sørensen. Whether you're a fan of neoclassical music, avant-garde compositions, or simply appreciate well-crafted and engaging storytelling through music, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
2006 Dacapo2006 Dacapo
Tracks
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Prolog (Prologue) (Chorus, The Woman, The Man)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Scene 1, "Manden som vidste eventyr" (The Man Who Knew Fairy Tales) (Narrator, The Woman, Chorus)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Scene 2, "Eventyrjagt og skumringstime" (Fairy Tale Hunt and Twilight Hour) (Narrator, Chorus, Marsh Witch)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Scene 3, "Konen der kiggede ind - i 1. sals hojde" (The Woman Who Peered in - Upstairs) (Narrator, Marsh WItch)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Scene 4, "En dyster invitation, 'Kom med'" (An Ominous Invitation, 'Come join us') (Marsh Witch, Chorus)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Scene 5, "Indbrud fra virkeligheden, 'Sa vagn da op, mand'" (A Break-in from Reality, 'Wake up, will you?') (Marsh Witch, Chorus)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Scene 6, "Mosekonens beretning" (The Marsh Witch's Account) (Narrator, Marsh Witch, Will-o'-the-Wisps)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Scene 7, "Da manen stod pa slem" (When the Moon Boded Ill) (Marsh Witch, Narrator, Will-o'-the-Wisps)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Scene 8, "Sa er de her" (Here They Are now) (Will-o'-the-Wisps, Chorus, Children's Chorus, Marsh Witch, The Man, The Woman)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Scene 9, "(U-)morale" (Moral (not!)) (Will-o'-the-Wisps, The Woman, The Man, Narrator)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Scene 10, "Rapport fra eventyrland" (Report from a Fairy-tale Land) (Marsh Witch, Narrator)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Lygtemaendene tager til byen (The Will-o'-the-Wisps Go to Town): Epilog (Epilogue) (Chorus, The Woman, The Man)Per Nørgård, Inger Dam-Jensen, Ylva Kihlberg, Helene Gjerris, Gert Henning-Jensen, Bo Kristian Jensen, Jens Albinus, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Danish National Children's Choir, Danish National Junior Choir, Sol og Mane, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Den lille havfrue (The Little Mermaid): I. Stormen (The Storm) (chorus, soprano, tenor)Bent Sørensen, Inger Dam-Jensen, Gert Henning-Jensen, Danish National Girls Choir, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Den lille havfrue (The Little Mermaid): II. Stilheden (The Silence) (chorus, soprano, tenor)Bent Sørensen, Inger Dam-Jensen, Gert Henning-Jensen, Danish National Girls Choir, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Den lille havfrue (The Little Mermaid): III. Festen (The Celebration) (chorus, soprano, tenor)Bent Sørensen, Inger Dam-Jensen, Gert Henning-Jensen, Danish National Girls Choir, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Per Nørgård, a towering figure in Danish music, was a composer whose work spanned neoclassical and avant-garde genres, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape. Born in Gentofte in 1932, Nørgård's career was marked by a relentless exploration of sound, form, and tonality, earning him a reputation as one of Denmark's most significant composers. His music, often characterized by repeated motifs, reflects a deep sensitivity and strong personality that were evident even in his early works, such as his first solo cello sonata composed between the ages of 19 and 21. Nørgård's admirations ranged from the symphonies of Sibelius to the humor of South Park, a duality that found expression in his own compositions, blending the full force of nature with a playful wit. Throughout his prolific career, Nørgård's contributions to the world of music were as varied as they were influential, making him a beloved figure among enthusiasts and critics alike.
Vinylscout
Per Nørgård
