For brass band, choir, organ and percussion — commemorating the Battle of Copenhagen
The Hope (Håbet) by Frederik Magle depicts the terror and chaos of the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, before turning towards remembrance, reflection and hope. Commissioned by the Danish Admiral Fleet in cooperation with the Reformed Church of Copenhagen, the work was premiered on the eve of the battle's bicentenary in 2001.
Complete recording
Performers: The Royal Danish Navy Band, conducted by Ib Myrner; the Concert Choir of the Reformed Church, conducted by Mikael Garnæs; Frederik Magle, organ.
Recording: Recorded at the Reformed Church, Copenhagen, in April 2001.
Release: Released in December 2005 on the Royal Danish Navy double album Søværnet Ønsker God Vind.
The work has two parts. Part I is purely instrumental, for brass band, organ and percussion. Part II adds an SATB choir singing words from Psalm 27. Part I may also be performed independently when no choir is available.
The music is highly visual in conception without being a purely literal narrative. Part I moves from the first sight of the British fleet on the horizon into the battle itself. Percussion has a central dramatic role: bass drum and cymbals answer one another from opposite ends of the space, suggesting cannon fire passing above the audience.
Part II turns from the battlefield towards spiritual reflection. The words of Psalm 27 introduce fear, trust and prayer, while the sense of safety is deliberately neither simple nor untroubled: conflict still casts its shadow over the music. Although The Hope commemorates the Battle of Copenhagen and the Danish commander Olfert Fischer, its wider purpose is to remember the sacrifices and casualties on both sides — not only in the battle of 1801, but in war more generally. The intention was not to glorify the bloodshed, but to depict it and allow the work to end in a hope for peace.
The world premiere took place at the Reformed Church in Copenhagen on 1 April 2001 and was repeated on 2 April. The performers were the Royal Danish Navy Band, conducted by Ib Myrner; the Concert Choir of the Reformed Church, conducted by Mikael Garnæs; and Frederik Magle at the organ. Brass, choir and percussion surrounded the audience throughout the church. Large bass drums positioned behind the listeners created the impression of cannon fire; during rehearsals, two bass drums were broken under the score's extreme fffff dynamic.
The first performance of the edition published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen took place in Lenzburg, Switzerland, on 19 October 2014. Brass Band Imperial Lenzburg was conducted by Rafael Camartin.
Concord Brass Band performed Part I at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival on 24 January 2026, conducted by Stig Mærsk with Ben Attfield at the organ. It was the first appearance by a Danish brass band at the festival.
“An incredibly evocative work to listen to ... when the terror of war subsides, making way for a reflective final solo moment from the organ, we glimpse the subject of this piece — hope. A beautiful moment within a beautiful piece.”
It’s Not a Trumpet, review of Concord Brass Band at the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival, 27 January 2026. Read the full review
“With an off stage cornet solo and featuring organist Ben Attfield at times commanding the stage and at others floating over the battlefield.”
British Bandsman, on the RNCM performance. View the original post
“The organ in this piece is so effective ... with the band lower end even sounding like an organ in some places just from pure power of sound.”
Brassing Around, on the RNCM performance. View the original post
Extended version adapted by Thomas Nielsen and published in 2014.
Published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen
The score is available to purchase and performance materials are available to hire through the publisher.
The complete recording is available in several formats:
© 2026 Frederik Magle Publishing ApS. All rights reserved.