Life
- so far:
Frederik Magle, born the 17th of april 1977, is a Danish contemporary classical music composer, international concert organist and pianist. Member of The Danish
Composer's Society since 1998.
The beginning…
He began composing on the piano at the age of five - Frederik’s father
had to print the music for him at that time, as he had not yet learned the
notes. He took piano lessons and music theory at the age of six.
The first public performance of his music took place at the easter morning
service in Stubbekoebing church when Frederik was 8 years old - The childrens
choir performed an easter hymn composed by Frederik.
The education…
Frederik Magle have studied with - amongst others - Professor Leif Thybo (composition, musical theory and
solfiege) and Ib Bindel (pipe organ)
Many works, many ensembles…
Since then, Frederik Magle’s works, large as well as small ones, have
been performed many places, by many different musicians, on the piano, pipe organ,
solo instruments such as violin, cello, flute, trumpet, and others, electronic
instruments (synthesizers, samplers), percussion, chamber groups, choirs,
singers, military bands, brass-bands and symphony orchestras
Several genres…
Frederik Magle works as composer and musician within in many different musical fields, some of which includes the music
for the modern avantgarde opera performance of »Der Die Das« by »Hotel Pro Forma«
in Münich 1995, »The March of Joy« commisioned and performed
by the »Tivoli Guard« in Copenhagen at the guard's birthday concert
1996, the ballet »Handle with care - Life inside« performed in
Dallas, Texas 1996 and many other works.
Besides classical music, Frederik Magle also compose and perform film music scores and works with fusion between contemporary classical music
and other genre (so called »crossover music«), such as jazz, rock, electronica, ethnic music, and more.
He also has extensive experience from working as producer - and occasionally recording engineer - on many recording sessions.
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A Timeline… Some of the performances and concerts with Frederik Magle's music:
1988
Grundtvigs Cathedral, Copenhagen - The minimusical »A Christmas
child« and the cantata »We are afraid« was performed by 100
singers and musicians before an audience of more than 2,000.
1991
The New Years Concert 1991 on danish television channel TV2, where the
Sonata »Vox Humana« was performed by the violinist Nikolaj Znaider.
1993
The Cathedral in Riga, Latvia - Symphony for organ no.2 »Let
there be light« was given its first performance at a concert with Frederik
Magle as soloist before an audience of more than 1,500.
Frederik Magle wrote the music for "The song is a fairytale" a
song cycle consisting of 20 songs with lyrics by Mimi Heinrich. The songs,
some of which were composed when Frederik was 8 yars old, was released on
CD in 1993 with Thomas Eje, The Danish Boys’ Choir, Trio Rococo, Niels-Henning
Ørsted Pedersen, Niels Lan Doky and Alex Riel (BMG 74321-24537-2)
1994
Frederik Magle won the the danish part of the Eurovision competition for
young soloists in 1994, and made it to the finals in Warsaw, Poland. He is the only concert organist to have reached the finals.
The CD, »The Infinite Second«, which includes the Concerto for
organ and orchestra »The infinite second« and the symphony for
organ No. 2 »Let there be light«, was recorded in Riga Cathedral, Latvia,
1994 with the Riga Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, conducted by
Dzintars Josts (EMI 5555972)
1996
Christmas 1996, Frederik Magle’s Christmas cantata "A newborn
child, before eternity, God!" was performed by two large choirs, children's
choir, four soloists, percussion, full 32-piece brass-band and organ - a total of
225 singers and musicians.
1997
The Christmas cantata was performed again in 1997 in the Church of Messiah,
Copenhagen with 250 participants (An extra childrens choir was added for
this performance). The Cantata is available on CD (EMI 5565942) with soloists
from the royal opera Ingibjörg Gudjondottir, soprano, Elisabeth Halling,
alto, Gert Henning Jensen, Tenor and Christian Christiansen, bass.
Frederik Magle gave the first performance of his "Symphonic LEGO fantasia"
for piano and orchestra in august 1997 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra,
conducted by David Parry in St.George Chapel, Windsor Castle. Frederik Magle
was the soloist at the grand piano.
Frederik Magle, as concert organist, was soloist with the Danish Radio Symphony orchestra twice
in nobember 1997, where he played Francis Poulenc’s Concerto for organ
and orchestra conducted by Dimitri Kitajenko, and he played the concerto
again twice with Odense Symphony Orchestra in november 1998.
1998
The LEGO fantasy was performed again twice with South Jutlands Symphony
Orchestra in january 1998. And later with the Zürcher Kammerorchester
in Luzern Concert Hall
"Cantata to Saint Cecilia" (choir, childrens choir, soloists
and chamber Orchestra) was given it's first performance November 22, 1998
in "Glyptoteket", Copenhagen. The Cantata was released on CD in
october 1999 (Danacord DACOCD 520).
1999
Frederik Magle’s Decet "Days and nights" was commissioned
by Randers Chamber Orchestra and given its first performance in february
1999.
Frederik Magle gave the first performance of his piece "Light on your
path" (Lys paa din vej), dedicated to His Highness Prince Nikolai,
at the royal ceremony, november 6. 1999 in Fredensborg Castle.
Read more about the christening here.
2000
"Light on your path" is also the title of the CD (EMI
5571152), released on october 6, 2000, which, besides the original version
of "Light on your path", also includes an orchestral version
of the piece and many other works by Frederik Magle for symphony orchestra,
brass ensemble, choir, piano and organ.
Click here for more information
about the CD
The violinist Nikolaj Znaider and pianist Daniel Gortler gave the first performance of Frederik Magle's Variations for violin and piano »Journey in time«.
More information and mp3 download here.
2001
"The Hope" for brass band, chorus, organ and percussion was premiered by The Royal Danish Naval Band, The Concert Choir of the Reformed Church of Copenhagen, and Frederik Magle, conducted by Mikael Garnæs and Ib Myrner, on April 1st, 2001. The concert was repeated on April 2nd. "The Hope" was commisioned by The Admiral Danish Fleet to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Copenhagen.
Frederik Magle was invited by Chief Vatican Organist James Goettsche to
perform his own music at the High Mass on October 14th on the pipe organ in
Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome. More than 10,000 people attended the Mass.
2002
At the christening of His Highness Prince Felix on october 4th, 2002 in Møgeltønder Church,
Frederik Magle once again played the organ.
This time he gave the first performance of his work "Pact of the Baptism"
together with "Modern Brass Quintet"
2003
»Phoenix« for mixed choir and organ (or piano four hands ad lib.) was given
its first perfromance by the Cecilia Choir. Later that year it was recorded for the
CD »Kosmos« which was released on the label
»Classico Records« (CLASSCD 478) in 2004.
2004
On June 10th, the first movement - »Souffle le vent« (»Cry of the winds«) -
of the symphonic poem »Cantabile« was given its first performance by the
Danish National Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Sine Bundgaard (soprano), and Bo Anker-Hansen (Bass/Baritone)
conducted by Thomas Dausgaard. The premiere took place in Tivoli's Concert Hall (Copenhagen) at
the royal gala concert in celebration of His Royal Highness Prince Henrik's (The Prince Consort) 70th birthday.
An MP3 audio excerpt of the live recording of the concert can be downloaded here.
2005
Frederik Magle played five improvisations together with John Tchicai (saxophone) and Peter Ole Jørgensen (percussion) on John Tchicai's avantgarde jazz and classical crossover album "Hymn to Sophia", released on Calibrated Records. More info.
"The Hope" for brass band, choir, organ and percussion was released in December 2005 by the Royal Danish Navy on the album "The Royal Danish Navy Wishes Godspeed". Download "The Hope" here.
2006
Frederik Magle took ownership of the international music forum Talk Classical. By 2009 the 3rd largest classical music forum in the world.
2007
Concert with Nordic Music Academy and Nikolaj Znaider in Tivoli's Concert Hall, Copenhagen, July 16th.
2008
August 30th; Frederik Magle performed a half-hour piano programme as guest soloist at a concert in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, England. The concert was arranged by the tenor Tim Pitman.
2009
On May 12th, 2009, Frederik Magle gave the first performance of his organ-piece "Viva Voce" in Aarhus Cathedral. The work was commisioned by organ builders Frobenius in celebration of the company's centennial anniversary.
After more than five years of work, the 2nd and 3rd movements of the symphonic suite "Cantabile" were premiered at a sold-out and televised gala-concert in the Copenhagen Concert Hall on June 10th, celebrating the 75th birthday of H.R.H. Henrik, The Prince Consort of Denmark.
The 2nd and 3rd movements were performed by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Thomas Dausgaard. With the soloists Ina Kringlebotn (soprano), Erlend Tyrmi (baritone), and Frederik Magle (piano). Listen to excerpts from "Cortège & Danse Macabre" and "Carillon" here.
On October 25th, the new pipe organ in Jørlunde church, Denmark, was inaugurated. The specifications for the organ are created by Frederik Magle, and he worked closely together with the voicer Ole Høyer on the voicing of each stop. Read an essay about the pipe organ written by Frederik Magle.
Frederik Magle gave the first inauguration concert on the organ on November 8th, 2009.
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Grants…
Frederik Magle has received many scholarships and grants, among others,
Countess Erna Hamiltons scholarship, Børge Schrøder and Herta
Finnerups foundation, Elli and Peter Ove Christensens foundation, Lili Zingels
foundation, Carlsbergs Prize of ideas, Unibank's Arts Prize and grants
of Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark and His Royal Highness The Prince Consort.
On october 2nd, 2000, Frederik Magle recieved the Countess Erna Hamilton's
scolarship for the second time, in support of his new CD »Light on
your path«. The following day (october 3), Frederik Magle performed a solo
concert at Fredensborg Castle (The »Music at Fredensborg Castle«
concert of the year 2000), and at the same time, recieved the honourful
Grant of His Royal Highness The Prince Consort.
April 29th, 2001, Frederik Magle was awarded the Arts Prize of the Freemasons
at a concert in the Main Masonic Hall (Stamhuset) in Copenhagen (home to the Grand Lodge of Denmark).
