Frederik Reesen Magle, born the 17th of April 1977 in Stubbekøbing, Denmark, is a composer of contemporary classical music, organist, and pianist, M.Mus. Member of The Danish Composers' Society since 1998.
He began composing on the piano at the age of five and took lessons of piano and music theory from the age of six. At the age of 16, he was admitted to the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen on two lines – organ and composition – with special dispensation, and studied there from August 1993 to January 1995, before leaving the conservatory to pursue a career as a composer and organist.
Amongst his teachers over the years have been professor Leif Thybo (composition, musical theory and solfège), Ib Bindel (organ), and professor Yngve Jan Trede (music theory).
In 2025, he completed the bachelor's programme in church music, with organ, choral conducting, and music theory as principal subjects, at the Danish National Academy of Music (Syddansk Musikkonservatorium). In 2026, he was awarded the master's degree (cand.musicae) at the same institution. The programme was completed in two years with the full curriculum and all examinations, despite its standard duration of five years. He received tuition from, among others, Mikkel Andreassen and Tina Christiansen (organ), Mathias Skaarup Sørensen (choral conducting), and Mogens Christensen (music theory).
Besides classical music, Frederik Magle also composes music for film and theatre, and works with fusion between contemporary classical music and other genres (so called »crossover music« or »fusion«), such as jazz, rock, electronica, world music, hip-hop, and more.
Frederik Magle is the son of actress and writer Mimi Heinrich (1936–2017) and organist, painter and sculptor Christian Reesen Magle (1925–96). He is the great-nephew to the composer Emil Reesen (his grandmother's brother). Frederik Magle has two children, Katharina (born 2012) and Christian Michael (born 2014).
A selection of music performances, releases, and other events in the life of Frederik Magle:
The first public performance of Frederik Magle's music took place at the easter morning
service in Stubbekøbing church on April 7th, 1985 - The children's
choir performed an easter hymn composed by Frederik.
On march 22nd, six hymns composed by Frederik Magle with text by Mimi Heinrich were performed at a concert in Lyngby church by the Danish singer and actress Annie Birgit Garde, attracting the attention of the press. From then on Frederik Magle was commonly referred to as a child prodigy (Danish: "Vidunderbarn") in the media, to Frederik's regret as he disliked being called that.
March 27th, Frederik Magle appeared on Danish national television for the first time, performing a new composition in the TV-program "I dag nyt".
Grundtvig's Church, Copenhagen, November 27th: The mini-musical »A Christmas
child« and the cantata »We are afraid« were performed by 100
singers and musicians before an audience of more than 2,000. The concert received significant media coverage, including newspaper articles and reviews as well as interviews in radio and television.
In May, 1990, Frederik Magle gave the first in a row of concerts together with the violinist Nikolaj Znaider, whom he had met the year before in connection with a TV-program where they were both interviewed, and in which Znaider performed a violin-solo composed by Magle. Znaider and Magle gave the first performance of Magle's Sonata for violin and organ »Vox Humana« at the concert which was held in Grundtvig's church on May 23rd.
New Years Eve: At the New Years Concert 1991 on Danish television channel TV2, the
Sonata »Vox Humana« was again performed by the violinist Nikolaj Znaider.
The Cathedral in Riga, Latvia – Symphony for organ no.2 »Let
there be light« was given its first performance at a televised concert with Frederik
Magle as soloist before an audience of more than 1,500.
In August 1993, Frederik Magle is admitted to the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen on two lines – organ and composition – with special dispensation, and studies there until January 1995.
Frederik Magle won the Danish part (a qualification round, a semi-final, and a televised final with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra) of the Eurovision competition for
young soloists in 1994 (a.k.a. Eurovision Young Musicians), and made it to the European finals in Warsaw, Poland. He is the only organist, and one of two Danes, to have reached the finals in the history of the competition.
Frederik Magle wrote the music for "The song is a fairytale" (Danish: "Sangen er et eventyr") a
song cycle consisting of 20 songs with lyrics by Mimi Heinrich based on fairytales by Hans Christian Andersen. The songs,
some of which were composed when Frederik was 8 years old, was released on
CD in 1994 with Thomas Eje, The Danish Boys’ Choir, Trio Rococo, Niels-Henning
Ørsted Pedersen, Niels Lan Doky and Alex Riel (BMG 74321-24537-2).
Frederik Magle composed the music for the modern avantgarde opera performance »Der Die Das« by the theatre company »Hotel Pro Forma«. The opera was premiered in Münich, Germany, in 1995.
»The March of Joy« was commissioned and performed
by the »Tivoli Boys Guard « in Copenhagen at the guard's birthday concert.
The ballet »Handle with care - Life inside«, with music by Frederik Magle, was performed in
Dallas, Texas
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 live in Riga Cathedral, Latvia, on October 5th,
1994 with the Riga Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, conducted by
Dzintars Josts, and released in 1996 by EMI (EMI Classics 5555972).
Christmas 1996, Frederik Magle’s Christmas cantata "A newborn
child, before eternity, God!" was given its first performance by two large choirs, children's
choir, four soloists, percussion, full 32-piece brass-band and organ - a total of
225 singers and musicians. The work is dedicated to Frederik's father Christian Magle who died in December 1996, two days before the first performance of the cantata.
The Christmas cantata was performed again in 1997 in the Church of Messiah,
Copenhagen with 250 participants (An extra children's 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 November 1997, where he played Francis Poulenc’s Concerto for organ
and orchestra conducted by Dimitri Kitajenko.
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
Frederik Magle played Poulenc's concerto for organ and orchestra twice with Odense Symphony Orchestra in November 1998.
"Cantata to Saint Cecilia" (choir, children's choir, soloists
and chamber Orchestra) was given its first performance November 22, 1998
in "Glyptoteket", Copenhagen. The Cantata was released on the CD »Music for Saint Cecilia« in
October 1999 (Danacord DACOCD 520).
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 på din vej), dedicated to His Highness Prince Nikolai,
at the royal ceremony, November 6th 1999 in Fredensborg Castle.
Read more about the christening here.
"Light on your path" ("Lys på din vej") is also the title of the album (EMI Classics
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.
On October 3rd, 2000, Frederik Magle was awarded the Grant of H.R.H. Henrik, the Prince consort of Denmark, and gave a solo concert in the church of Fredensborg castle - the »Music at Fredensborg Castle« concert of the year 2000. (A banquet dinner was held at the royal castle after the concert where Frederik Magle sat next to H.M. Queen Margrethe II as the guest of honor).
The violinist Nikolaj Znaider and pianist Daniel Gortler gave the first performance of Frederik Magle's Variations for violin and piano »Journey in time« at concerts in Concertgebouw (Amsterdam, Holland) and "Værket" (Randers, Denmark).
More information and mp3 download here.
"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 commissioned by The Admiral Danish Fleet to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Copenhagen.
Frederik Magle was invited by Chief Vatican Organist James E. 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.
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"
»Phoenix« for mixed choir and organ (or piano four hands ad lib.) was given
its first performance 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.
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.
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.
Frederik Magle took ownership of the international music forum Talk Classical. By 2009 the 3rd largest classical music forum in the world.
Concert with Nordic Music Academy and Nikolaj Znaider in Tivoli's Concert Hall, Copenhagen, July 16th.
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.
On May 12th, 2009, Frederik Magle gave the first performance of his organ-piece "Viva Voce" in Aarhus Cathedral. The work was commissioned 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 two 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.
The double album "Like a Flame" was released in December 2010 on the Swedish label Proprius Music. It consists of free improvisations for organ by Frederik Magle recorded on the pipe organ in Jørlunde church. "Like a Flame" was well received by the critics, including a review by MusicWeb International calling it »...a double CD that no fan of original organ music should be without...«.
Frederik Magle composed classical music for symphony orchestra and pipe organ which was featured on the album "Elektra" by the Danish hip-hop group Suspekt. The music was recorded by the Czech Film Orchestra in the Rudolfinium Concert Hall in Prague in May 2011 and the album was released in September. It was certified Gold in November 2011, and Platinum in December 2015.
The Elektra release concert took place in Koncerthuset (The Copenhagen Concert Hall) on September 10th, where Frederik Magle conducted a symphony orchestra (comprised of musicians from the DR Youth Orchestra) and played live on the pipe organ. The concert was reviewed by the music magazine "Gaffa" who gave it 6 out of 6 stars.
On All Hallows' Sunday, November 6th, 2011, Frederik Magle's All Hallows Mass (for soprano, choir, cello and organ) was given its first performance at services and concerts in several Danish churches. The All Hallows Mass has text by the writer and hymnist Iben Krogsdal and liturgy by the vicar Morten Skovsted.
Frederik Magle’s composition “Alive – Anthem for the pregnant woman” was commissioned by the International Society of Ultrasound in Gynecology and Obstetrics (ISUOG) and premiered with the singer Julie Lindell and Frederik Magle (on piano) at ISUOG’s World Congress, which was held on September 9th in Bella Center, Copenhagen.
Frederik Magle is a member of the jury of the International Competition of Composers 2013 held at the University of Nis, Serbia.
“Lys på din vej” (Light on your path) is performed on May 18th at the confirmation ceremony of H.H. Prince Nikolai at Fredensborg castle.
A brass quintet version of “Lys på din vej” is included on the album “Nordisk Musik” (Nordic Music), released in November, by the Brass Ensemble of the Royal Guards (Exlibris Musik EXLCD30158).
“Polyphony” - a fusion of contemporary classical and rock music by Frederik Magle is included in the 2014 edition of “In Tune With Music”, the most popular music text for high school students in Australasia.
Magle’s symphonic work “Seahorse Aria” is recorded by Orkestar Fakulteta umetnosti, Niš, Serbia with the soprano soloist Matilde Wallevik, conducted by Milena Injac. The music is subsequently used as the soundtrack for the art film “Woman in Red - Seahorse Aria”, directed by Maria Dubin.
“The Hope” for brass band, choir, organ and percussion (which was premiered in 2001) is published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen. The first performance of the published score takes place in Lenzburg, Switzerland on October 19th, 2014.
Frederik Magle makes a guest appearance as a “featured artist” together with Nightingale String Quartet - for whom he has written compositions and string quartet arrangements - at Suspekt’s concert, closing the Roskilde Festival 2015 on “Orange Stage” (Orange Scene) before an audience of more than 75,000 people.
Frederik Magle is engaged as consultant for the planning and construction of a new 3-manual pipe organ for the planned Trekroner church (to be inaugurated in 2017), working closely with architects and acoustic designers from an early stage.
'Nuit mélodique', a new work for soprano, piano, and string orchestra – with text by H.R.H. Prince Henrik of Denmark – is recorded in Holmens Kirke, Copenhagen, with soprano Yosra Zekri, the Danish National Chamber Orchestra, and Frederik Magle on piano.
Frederik Magle is appointed organist and music director at Saint Paul's Church (Sankt Pauls Kirke) in Copenhagen – his first official church position – where he serves as both performer and composer for the liturgical cycle.
The Anastasis Mass (Anastasis-Messe) – a large-scale fusion of contemporary classical music, world music, and rock, years in the making – is released as an album in December 2017 on CD and all major streaming platforms.
The Christmas fanfare 'The Fairest of Roses' (Den yndigste rose) for two trumpets and organ receives its world premiere at Saint Paul's Church, Copenhagen, on the first Sunday of Advent (December 3rd), in celebration of the church's 140th anniversary and the re-dedication of the church tower.
The fanfare 'The Fairest of Roses' for two trumpets and organ is published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen (Music Sales Classical), making the score and parts available worldwide.
Frederik Magle composes the original score for the documentary film 'Møllehave: Hellere forrykt end forgæves', directed by Peter Klitgaard.
The Secret Garden (Den Hemmelige Have) is unveiled at the radiation therapy section of Rigshospitalet (the National Hospital) in Copenhagen on April 12th. The project is a gesamtkunstwerk – a total work of art – created in collaboration with artist Maria Dubin (colors, floor design, and glass) and lighting designer Kim Borch (light). Frederik Magle's orchestral score, recorded by the Symphony Orchestra of the Faculty of Arts, University of Niš, Serbia, is designed to accompany patients awaiting radiotherapy treatment.
'Fanfare for the Royal Danish Orchestra' (Det Kongelige Kapels Fanfare), commissioned by the Royal Danish Orchestra as their official fanfare, is premiered on April 16th as a birthday gift to H.M. Queen Margrethe II on her 80th birthday.
On June 7th, Frederik Magle's Fanfare for the Royal Danish Orchestra becomes the first music performed live in concert in Denmark after the global COVID-19 pandemic shut down concert life, reopening the Copenhagen Opera House in a concert conducted by Thomas Søndergård.
Frederik Magle inaugurates the new Frobenius pipe organ in Trekroner Church on September 26th – an instrument he had been involved in designing since 2016.
Frederik Magle's Fanfare and Anthem “Skyward” receives its world premiere on April 7th at the official rollout ceremony for the new Danish F-35 fighter jets at Lockheed Martin in Texas, USA. The fanfare is performed by Prinsens Musikkorps (The Prince of Denmark Air Force Band), conducted by Peter Ettrup Larsen, and broadcast live worldwide.
Frederik Magle composes the original score for the documentary film 'A Writer Named Tove' (Tove i stykker), directed by Sami Saif. The film wins the Robert Award (the Danish equivalent of the Oscar) for Best Documentary Film.
Skyward – Fanfare and Anthem, performed by Prinsens Musikkorps and conducted by Peter Ettrup Larsen, is released on all major streaming and download platforms in May 2022.
'Threnodi' for clarinet and organ is released as a single, and the score published, making the work available to performers worldwide.
Skyward – Fanfare and Anthem is recorded and released in a new recording by internationally acclaimed conductor and trombonist Christian Lindberg and Hércules Brass Ensemble (August 30, 2022), as the EP Magle: Skyward – Fanfare and Anthem, released on all major streaming platforms.
Frederik Magle composes the original score for the feature film 'Vincent', directed by David Noel Bourke.
Frederik Magle is named “house composer” (festival composer of the year) at the Nordic Chamber Music Festival in Hillerod, Denmark (July 24–28). His Piano Quartet – a deeply personal work in three movements – receives its world premiere at the festival, performed by Christian Ellegaard, Mette Brandt, Joel Laakso, and Rikke Sandberg. Three further works also receive premieres during the festival.
'Sunset for Piano' is released as a single in 2023, performed by Frederik Magle on the Steinway concert grand at MillFactory Studios, Copenhagen.
Frederik Magle composes the original score for the documentary film 'Landbrugets natur' ('The Nature of Farming'), directed by Isabelle Denaro.
The world premiere of Frederik Magle's Suite for brass ensemble 'Mit hjertes hjem' ('The Home of my Heart') takes place on June 14th in the historic Saint-Yved de Braine church in France, performed by Slesvigske Musikkorps, conducted by Magnus Larsson.
In August 2024, Frederik Magle begins his studies in church music (organ, choral conducting, and music theory) at the Danish National Academy of Music (Syddansk Musikkonservatorium) in Esbjerg.
Frederik Magle performs a solo organ concert in the Pantheon (Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres) in Rome on September 13th, as part of the 4th Festival Internazionale d'Organo al Pantheon. The concert is presented by Il Perinsigne Capitolo della Basilica Collegiata Santa Maria ad Martyres.
Frederik Magle's Fanfare 'In Vernalis Temporis' – a large-scale work for full symphony orchestra based on the medieval melody that rings daily from the bell tower of Aarhus City Hall – receives its world premiere on January 17th at Musikhuset Aarhus, performed by Aarhus Symphony Orchestra (Aarhus Symfoniorkester), conducted by Dmitry Matvienko, at the orchestra's 90th anniversary gala concert. The fanfare was commissioned by Aarhus Symphony Orchestra.
In June 2025, Frederik Magle completes his bachelor's degree in church music, and in August 2025 he begins the master's programme at the same institution.
The fanfare 'In Vernalis Temporis' is subsequently performed by Aarhus Symphony Orchestra in front of thousands of people at the large Danish music festival SMUKfest (Skanderborg), conducted by Alexander Sinan Binder.
Frederik Magle Publishing ApS is established in October 2025, with Frederik Magle as CEO, marking a major milestone in his career as an independent publisher of his own music. The founding general meeting is held with board members Helle Ørsted (Chair of the Board), Henrik Audon, and Philip Maury, and Executive Assistant Mette Nielsen.
Frederik Magle's 'The Hope' for brass band, choir, organ and percussion is performed at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester, England, in January 2026 by Concord Brass Band – receiving enthusiastic critical acclaim.
In June 2026, Frederik Magle completes his education and is awarded the master's degree in church music (cand.musicae) from the Danish National Academy of Music (Syddansk Musikkonservatorium).
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 received the Countess Erna Hamilton's
scholarship, for the second time, in support of his new CD »Light on
your path«. The following day (October 3rd) Frederik Magle received the 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).
Frederik Magle received a grant from the Danish Arts Foundation in 2014.
Frederik Magle has also received project grants from a number of foundations and institutions for composition projects, recordings, and commissions of new works, including from the Danish Arts Foundation (Statens Kunstfond), the Augustinus Foundation, and others. One example is his Piano Quartet, which received its world premiere at the Nordic Chamber Music Festival in 2023 and was composed with support from the Danish Arts Foundation.
© 2026 Frederik Magle Publishing ApS. All rights reserved.