Curriculum Vitae

February 2023: Recording for Naxos
2 mini violin concertos for ensemble and solo violin
With Danish Chamber Players and Niklas Walentin, solo violin.
Arnannguaq Gerstrøm: Broken Inua
Poul Ruders: Pocket concerto

Dec 2022, concert at with Aarhus Symfoniorkester at Musikhuset Aarhus
Händel: The Messiah, excerpts
Concertmaster: Ian van Rensberg
Soloists: Sophie Thing-Simonsen (soprano) and Adam Grove Frandsen (countertenor)
Chorus: 130 kids from Skt. Clemens Boys Choir, Haderslev Cathedral Girls’ Choir and from Sangkraft Aarhus

September 16 and 17 2022: World Premiere of “Dødevande” by Signe Lykke
Frederiksberg Festspil at Cisternerne (Sept 16) and La Oficina, Frederiksberg (Sept 17)
Soloists: Ulla Munck and Selma Willumsen. Ungklang ensemble

From review in Seismograf:
“Luminous, pure sounds in the sopranos were like an otherworldly call. Abrupt powerful clairvoyance in the kaleidoscopic universe of spoken words, airy drones and jazzy additions…..Very elegantly Lykke sewed the generations together, so that the fragments appeared as finely knitted and impenetrable”.
Read the whole review from Seismograf here.

April 27 and 28 2022: World premiere of Nikki Martin‘s Two Doomer Laments
also Nikki Martin’s Stabat Mater, and Dixit Dominus RV595 by Vivaldi
Concerto Copenhagen/ concertmaster Peter Spissky and Copenhagen Girls’ Choir
Maribo Cathedral (27th April) and The Church of the Holyspirit (28th April)
Review by gregersdh.dk

April 20 2022 Release concert with Danish Chamber Players
For Dacapo Records. At Musikhuset København.
Kasper Rofelt‘s portrait album Dichotomy

December 11 2021: 2 Christmas concerts with Aalborg Symphony Orchestra
Presenter: Silja Okking
Repertoire: Excerpts from Nutcracker, Disney medley, and hits from Nordic Christmas TV calendars.

September 2021: Recording with Ensemble Storstrøm for Dacapo Records
“Dichotomy” by Danish composer Kasper Rofelt.
For Dacapo Records (Danish national label). Sound engineer Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir.

18 September 2021, Kumus, Fuglsang. Concert with same repertoire.
Moderator: Toke Lund Christiansen.

Reviews

Reviews of Dichotomy – Rofelt’s portrait album

Gramophone

What emerged was the Nordic New Simplicity movement that has proved so persistent. The Danish Chamber Players’ compendium of chamber works by Kasper Rofelt, Dichotomy, is a cleansing listen, full of the composer’s combination of shapely lyricism and ascetic argumentation, often thriving on a combination of opposites.

The title-work seems to unfurl a philosophical standpoint (first movement) before discussing it heatedly (second). Entourage II is a classic exercise in restriction whereby three instruments are confined to set gestures (a rising arpeggio and a cluster chord), even if each can be transformed. Works titles on states of motion Forward!, Around and Stay recall Steve Martland in their combination of primary colour and structural rigour but the album loosens up with the more elusive six-movement Sérénade pour Ionesco.

Source: Andrew Mellor, Gramophone, August 2022

Review by David Denton

At the cutting-edge of modernity among Danish composers, Kasper Rofelt numbers among his famous mentors, Bent Sorensen, Per Norgard and Niels Rosing-Schow.

Born in 1982, those years with them at the Royal Danish Academy were followed by a quantity of instrumental works that have received performances on both sides of the Atlantic. Among those are a number of commissions from the Danish Chamber Players, the disc opening with Dichotomy for instrumental ensemble, a score in two sections, playful but quiet in the first, it contrasts with the juxtaposition of rhythms that hold our attention in the following section. Entourage II is scored for violin, horn and piano, a more extended and withdrawn score that Rofelt describes as one of his most ‘neurotic’ works, though there are certainly many others. Maybe best to start your listening experience with the quirky ‘march’, Forward!, lasting for just over two minutes, or the even shorter Around for cello and piano. We return to the Chamber Players for the Serenade for Ionesco and Cantando, the first of those two scores in six sections that Rofelt describes as “the strange juxtaposition of his absurdest style”. It was begun in 2009 and completed in 2019, the same year as the colourful Cantando. All are ‘World Premiere Recordings’, Dichotomy conducted by Anne Marie Granau, with the remaining tracks directed by Ian Ryan. A disc recorded last year that I will continue to explore with interest.

July 2021 – Aug 2021: Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci
Copenhagen Opera Festival and Søholm Opera
Director: Natascha Metherell
Stage design: Rob van den Broek
Light Design: Charlie Morgan Jones

27.-29. July 2021 on Samsø (Søholm Opera).
5 stars in Ascolta Opera Magazine

21. Aug Den Røde Plads (Copenhagen Opera Festival)

List of performers

Nedda: Frederikke Kampmann

Canio: Michael Bracegirdle

Tonio: David Kempster

Sivlio: Patrick Egersborg

Peppe: Anders Kampmann

Musicians :

Concert master: Benedikte Damgaard

Violin: Øssur Bæk

Viola: Ida Speyer-Grøn, Royal Dansih Opera Orchestra

Cello: Iiris Tötterström

Db.bass: Lars-Bo Hermansen

Flute: Tony Akrivopoulos

Oboe: Rixon Thomas, Royal Danish Opera orchestra

Trompet: Dan Kocurek

French horn: Esben Stig Rasmussen

Accordion: Frode Andersen

Piano: Mette Juliane Christensen

2019-2022: Hidden Treasures from 18th century’s Venice

A beautiful collaboration with Concerto Copenhagen, Royal Danish Academy of Music (DKDM) and Copenhagen Girls’ Choir. Concertmaster: Peter Spissky. Conductor: Anne Marie Granau.

Exploring the repertoire from the 4 Ospedali Grandi (orphanages) of Venice in the baroque era, music composed for ensembles of young orphan girls, that attracted turists and patrons from all over Europe.

The collaboration includes following concerts:

27 and 28 Apr, 2022, Helligaandskirken, Cph) and Maribo Cathedral:
Vivaldi: Dixit Dominus RV595. World premiere of Nikki Martin‘s Two Doomer Laments
also Nikki Martin’s Stabat Mater
Review by gregersdh.dk

26 Nov, 2020, Helligaandskirken, Cph:
Charity concert for homeless women (arranged by Hugs and Food).
Vivaldi: Excerpts from RV589 Gloria. Vivaldi: RV593 Domine ad adjuvandum me festina.
Galuppi: Psalm 110 Dixit Dominus.

24 Feb- 2 Mar, 2020 (on tour):
Concerts in Haderslev Cathedral, DK. St. Aegidien, Lübeck DE and Trinitatis Kirche, Berlin DE.
Same repertoire as 26 Nov 2020.

22 Feb, 2019, Trinitatis Kirke, Cph. 23 Feb, Sct. Mariæ Kirke, Helsingør and 24 Feb, Koncertkirken, Cph
Hasse: Psalm 50 Miserere in d. Galuppi: Psalm 110 Dixit Dominus.
Soloists: Emilie Jønson, soprano and Clara Jarl, mezzo-soprano.

Since 2017: Concerts at Søholm Opera, Samsø.

7 Dec, 2019, Tranebjerg Kirke.
Händel: The Messiah (excerpts from part 1 and 2).
Soloists: Clara Thomsen, Laura Meyer, Anders Kampmann and Teit Kanstrup.
Ad hoc professional ensemble.
Concertmaster: Christine Pryn. Conductor: Anne Marie Granau

6 Dec, 2019, Tranebjerg Kirke, Samsø.
“A Christmas Celebration”.
Clara Thomsen, soprano. Lise Christensen, mezzo. Copenhagen Girls’ Choir.

Professional ad hoc orchestra.
Concertmaster: Christine Pryn. Conductor: Anne Marie Granau

9 Dec, 2018, Samsø Hallen.
“A Christmas Spectacular”
Soloists: Elsebeth Dreisig, soprano. Camilla Dayyani, jazz singer. Lise Christensen, mezzo. Mike Bracegirdle, tenor.
Orchestra: Musicians from Århus SO and Sankt Annæ Mgk. Copenhagen Girls’ Choir and school children from Samsø. Harp: Joost Schelling.
Concertmaster: Tue Lautrup. Conductor: Anne Marie Granau

24 July, 2018, Løghallen, Samsø.
“A cocktail of voices”. Final concert of the annual opera week: “Opera in unlikely places”
Soloists: Lucia Cervoni, Laura Mayer and Lise Christensen, mezzos. Signe Schnee Schreiber and Camilla Illeborg, sopranos. David Danholt, Mike Bracegirdle and Jacob Andersen, tenor. Nicolai Elsberg, bass. Professional chamber group.
Concertmaster: Clara Glasdam. Conductor: Anne Marie Granau

10 Dec, 2017, Samsø Hallen.
“A Christmas Spectacular”.
Mike Bracegirdle, tenor.
Orchestra: Musicians from Århus Symphony Orchestra and Sankt Annæ Mgk.
Copenhagen Girls’ Choir, Samsø Children’s Choir, Musisk Skole, Kalundborg and Mårslet Kirkes Pigekor.
Concertmaster: Tue Lautrup. Conductor: Anne Marie Granau

2017-2019 and 2021: Christmas Concerts with Danmarks Underholdningsorkester
(The Danish Chamber Orchestra)
2021: 17 Dec, Helligaandskirken, Cph.
2019: 14, 15, 17 Dec, Helligaandskirken, Cph.
2018: 15, 16 Dec, Helligaandskirken, Cph.
2017: 16, 17 Dec, Helligaandskirken, Cph.
Harpist: Mette Franck (2017 and 2018), Zachary Hatcher (2019). Copenhagen Girls’ Choir.
Concertmaster: Julie Eskær (2017 and 2019), Marianne Sørensen (2018). Christine Enevold (2021)
Conductor: Anne Marie Granau.

23 Oct, 2018, Helligaandskirken, Cph: World premiere: “Lysmørket” by Rasmus Zwicki.
Danmarks Underholdningsorkester (The Danish Chamber Orchestra)
Copenhagen Girls’ Choir, (Sankt Annæ Pigekor)
Nicolai Elsberg, bass. Conductor: Anne Marie Granau.

Dec 2017- Feb 2018: Den Jyske Opera, Aarhus, DK
Chorus Master in La Traviata by Verdi.
Director: Lothar Krause. Conductor: Tecwyn Evans

Dec 9, 10, 11 2015: Sønderjyllands Symfoniorkester, DK (South Jutland SO).
3 Christmas Concerts. Presenter: Signe Lindkvist
9 Dec: Musik og Teaterhuset, Aabenraa.
10 Dec: Stadthalle, Eckernförde.
11 Dec: Alsion, Sønderborg

2014-2022: Chief conductor of Copenhagen Girls’ Choir (Sankt Annæ Pigekor).
Patron: HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark. Winning gold and silver prizes in several international choir competitions: The International Bruckner Choir Competition 2015, 2017 and 2019, Linz (AT). The International Schubert Choir Competition 2016, Vienna (AT), and the International Schuman Competition 2018, Zwickau, DE

Dec 2014: Grethe Kolbes Mindelegat (Memorial Award) from Danish Conductors Association (Dansk Kapelmesterforening).
Grethe Kolbe was Denmark’s first professional female conductor, and worked for many years with the Danish Radio Sinfonietta.

Aug 2014: Sønderjyllands Symfoniorkester, DK (South Jutland SO).
Masterclass with Jorma Panula

2010-2014: The Royal Danish Opera/Det Kgl. Teater
July 2012 – Jan 2014: Chorus Master and assistant conductor at the Royal Danish Opera.
Working closely with conductors such as: Pier Giorgio Morandi, Jukka-Pekka Saraste,
Bertrand de Billy, Paolo Carigniani, Michael Boder, Michael Schønwandt, Stefano Ranzani,
Cornelius Meister, Roland Böer, Leo Hussain, Giuliano Carella.

Jan 2012: The Royal Danish Opera, Old Stage. Operatic concert.
Royal Danish Opera Orchestra (Det Kgl. Kapel) and the Royal Danish Opera Chorus.
Sharing the concert with conductor Jesper Nordin.

May 2010 – June 2012: Assistant conductor at the Royal Danish Opera.
Also conducting rehearsals with Royal Opera Orchestra, and backstage in performances.
Standby conductor in performances.
Working with conductors like Leo Hussain, Paolo Carigniani, Stefano Ranzani, Michael Boder,
Pier Giorgio Morandi, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Cornelius Meister, Giuliano Carella, Roland Böer and Michael Schönwandt.

10 Aug 2010: Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen – The Millennium Project – a musical Journey. Opening the Stockholm Culture Festival 2010.
(Jacob Groth’s music to the Millennium-trilogy – books by Stieg Larsson).

8 May 2010: Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen – The Millennium Project – a Musical Journey at Den Sorte Diamant in Copenhagen on 8th May

April 2010: St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic “Nordic Shores”
The little philharmonic hall, St. Petersburg
World premiere of Karsten Fundal’s Harp Concerto. Harpist: Ellen Sejersted Bødtker.
Ruders: 4 compositions, Sibelius: Romance for string orchestra

11-15 Oct, 2010: Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen 6 “Icebreaker-concerts” (Isbryder-koncerter)
Tour in DK. Music by Jeppe Just Christensen

4 May 2009: Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen. Opening the Cannes Film Festival 2009
Karsten Fundal: music to the film “The Flame and citron” and Groth’s music to “Stieg Larsson Millennium Trilogy”

March 2009: Ars Nova Copenhagen
2 concerts in March with contemporary Danish vocal music (review here) attached review) 1 preparation for Ars Nova’s concert with Anthony Rooley

15 june 2009: Klangfestival 2009. 60th Birthday Concert for Poul Ruders: Ruder’s 3 motets

2009: DR – Danmarks Radio Vokalensemblet (Danish Radio Vocal Ensemble)
Preparing 13 contemporary a cappella pieces

2009: Open Air Opera / Opera under åben himmel. Jægerspris Slot.
Performing at an old castle in Denmark for 3000 people. Orchestra: Musicians from Royal Opera Orchestra.
Ad hoc opera chorus. Soloists: Karin Thulemark, soprano. Maria Hanke, Mezzo. Mathias Hedegaard, teonr. Steffen Bruun, bass.

Feb/Mar 2008: Opera Nord and Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen
Opera world premiere : “Heart in a Plastic Bag” by Jovanka Trbojevic (docu- opera).
Co-conductor to Hannu Lintu.
Director: Skøien. Stage and costume design: Skinnarmo
Orchestra: Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen. I was in charge of musical rehearsals.

Sep 2007: Woodhouse Opera, Cunning Little Vixen. Holmbury St. Mary, Surrey. UK

July-Sep 2006: British Youth Opera
Performance of Tchaikovsky’s Eugine Onegin.
Also assistant conductor to Peter Robinson, then musical director of BYO.
Orchestra: South Bank Sinfonia.

June 2006: Royal College of Music- Britten International Opera School
1 performance of Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges”. And assistent conductor in the production where we also did Ravel’s “L’Heure Espangole”. Assisting Michael Rosewell, director of the Britten International Opera School. I was leading several musical rehearsals.

2005: The Royal College of Music
Conductor in Schönberg’s Pierrot Lunaire with Jane Manning,Julian Jacobson and Ida Falk Winland

Education

Royal College of Music
Postgraduate Diploma, Orchestral Conducting · (2004 – 2006).
Teacher: Neil Thomson. Orchestration: Kenneth Hesketh. Piano: Kathron Sturrock. Scholarship from The Templeton Award. Support from Augustinus Foundation, Dronning Margrethes og Prins Henriks Fond , Knud Højgaards Fond.

Det Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium /The Royal Danish Academy of Music
Conductors class, postgraduate, orchestral and choral conducting · (2001 – 2004). Teachers: Frans Rasmussen (orchestral) and Dan-Olof Stenlund (choral). Orchestration: Karsten Fundal. Score reading: Erik Karlberg. Piano: Nina Gade. Vocal studies: Else Paaske.

Københavns Universitet
Bachelor’s degree, musicology and Danish Literature · (1996 – 2001)

Sankt Annae Gymnasium
A-level, Music and compulsary studies · (1992 – 1995)

Masterclasses

Nov 2008: Danish Conductors Association. Masterclass with Helmuth Rilling Trinitatis Church, Copenhagen

Feb 2008: St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra
Masterclass with Leif Segerstam St. Petersburg, Russia
Selected for the final concert

Oct 2005: Royal College of Music, London. Masterclass with Marin Alsop and the Royal College Symphony Orchestra.

Oct 2005: Luzerne Symphony Orchestra Masterclass with Bernard Haitink

May 2005: Royal College of Music. Masterclass with Bernard Haitink and the Royal College Symphony Orchestra.
Brahms 3