Niels Gade (1817-1890)

Series

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

2017

The Wedding Composer

20170220

Donald Macleod's charts Niels Gade's early life, leading up to his breakthrough work, 'Echoes of Ossian'.

Taken under his wing by Felix Mendelssohn, in his lifetime the Danish composer Niels Gade was a celebrated figure, who performed to great acclaim in Great Britain and across Europe. In his birthland Denmark, his association with Copenhagen's Music Society and his founding directorship of the Conservatory gave him a voice of influence within musical circles. He remains part of the Danish national consciousness, through the Wedding March from his ballet 'Et folkesagn'. It's one of the most popular picks for weddings. However, since his death, at the age of 73 in 1890, performances of his music have become all too infrequent leaving most of his considerable legacy largely unheard.

The 200th anniversary of Gade's birth provides a good reason to rediscover his music. Weddings aside, Niels Gade is the composer of no less than eight symphonies; a concerto for his own instrument, the violin; a rich variety of choral settings and solo songs; a host of chamber music, including a piano trio, and no less than five string quartets; piano music and a whole series of large-scale works which we might want to categorise as choral cantatas but which he called 'concert pieces'.

There is little published information about Niels Gade available in English. Donald Macleod is joined by Dr. Colin Roth, a co-director of the Nordic Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. Across the week, Colin shares his own research into Gade's music and information garnered from the most detailed biography of the composer, which was published in Denmark in 2002 by Danish musicologist Inger Sørensen.

Today, Donald Macleod explores the years up to Gade's breakthrough as a composer. Born in 1817, Gade's childhood was marked by the economic hardship endured in Copenhagen after the country declared bankruptcy in 1813. Despite the disadvantages of a lack of money and a limited access to education, aged 23, Gade won a prestigious competition with an astonishingly accomplished orchestral overture, 'Echoes of Ossian'.

Wedding Waltz (Et Folkesagn)

The Danish Radio Sinfonietta

Harry Damgaard, conductor

Elverskud, Op.30 (Prologue & Part 1)

Kirsten Dolberg, contralto, the mother

Tivoli Concert Choir

Tivoli Symphony Orchestra

Michael Schønwandt, conductor

Acquarellen, Op.19, Vol 1

Christina Bjørkøe, piano

Hymnus

Danish National Radio Choir

Jesper Grove Jørgensen, conductor

Overture: 'Echoes of Ossian', Op.1

The Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra

Dmitri Kitajenko, conductor.

Donald Macleod on Gade's early life, leading up to his breakthrough work, Echoes of Ossian

2017

Ghosts And Trolls

20170221

Donald Macleod explores folk-tales in Niels Gade's charming ballet, Et folkesagn, written as a co-production with his father-in-law, the Danish composer J.P.E Hartmann and the literary source of his only Sonata for Piano.

Today Donald Macleod and Colin Roth discuss how Gade responded musically to the prevailing artistic currents in Copenhagen.

Pa Sjolunds fagre sletter (excerpt)

Danish National Radio Choir

Stefan Parkman, conductor

Symphony No 1 in C minor, Op. 5 (1st movement)

Collegium Musicum, Copenhagen

Michael Schønwandt, conductor

Piano Sonata in E minor, Op 28

Alexander Vaulin, piano

Et folkesagn (Act 3, Scene 1)

The Danish Radio Sinfonietta

Harry Damgaard, conductor.

How Gade responded musically to prevailing artistic currents in Copenhagen.

2017

Fame And Glory

20170222

Donald Macleod considers Mendelssohn's influence on his prot退g退, Niels Gade, with a complete performance of Gade's Octet, written some twenty years after Mendelssohn had written his.

Taken under his wing by Felix Mendelssohn, in his lifetime the Danish composer Niels Gade was a celebrated figure, who performed to great acclaim in Great Britain and across Europe. In his birthland Denmark, his association with Copenhagen's Music Society and his founding directorship of the Conservatory gave him a voice of influence within musical circles. He remains part of the Danish national consciousness, through the Wedding March from his ballet 'Et folkesagn'. It's one of the most popular picks for weddings. However, since his death, at the age of 73 in 1890, performances of his music have become all too infrequent, leaving most of his considerable legacy largely unheard.

There is little published information about Niels Gade available in English. Donald Macleod is joined by Dr. Colin Roth, a co-director of the Nordic Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. Across the week, Colin shares his knowledge of both Gade's music and the most detailed biography of the composer, which was published in Denmark in 2002 by Danish musicologist Inger Sørensen.

Between 1843 and 1848 Niels Gade was a highly respected musician, living and working in Leipzig. It was a period of diverse musical opportunity, which led to a series of major compositions.

Fantasiestücke, Op. 43 (1st movement)

Rolf Weber, clarinet

Kazue Tsuzuki, piano

The Crusaders (excerpt from Part 2)

Marianne Rørholm, mezzo-soprano (Armida)

Kurt Westi, tenor (Rinaldo)

Canzone-koret

Da Camera

Kor 72

Musikstuderendes Kammerkor

Aarhus Symphony Orchestra

Frans Rasmusssen, Conductor

Octet in F major, Op. 17

Berlin Philharmonic String Octet.

Donald Macleod considers Mendelssohn's influence on his protege, Niels Gade.

2017

The Rising Sun

20170223

Donald Macleod introduces a complete performance of Gade's joyous Fourth Symphony.

There is little published information about Niels Gade available in English. Donald Macleod is joined by Dr. Colin Roth, a co-director of the Nordic Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. Across the week, Colin shares his knowledge of both Gade's music and the most detailed biography of the composer, which was published in Denmark in 2002 by Danish musicologist Inger Sørensen.

As war was breaking out across Europe, in 1848 Niels Gade decided to return to Denmark. Today, Donald Macleod explores the reasons why Gade made this momentous decision, which, according to Dr. Colin Roth's studies, are quite frequently misrepresented.

O du, der du die Liebe bist

Musica Ficta

Bo Holten, director

String Quartet in D major, Op. 63

The Copenhagen String Quartet

Symphony No 4 in B flat major, Op. 20

Collegium Musicum, Copenhagen

Michael Schønwandt, conductor.

Donald Macleod explores why Gade made a momentous decision to return to Denmark in 1848.

2017

05 LAST

Tired Of Patriotism

20170224

Donald Macleod introduces Danish composer Niels Gade's Violin Concerto, arguably a hidden jewel of the Romantic repertoire.

There is little published information about Niels Gade available in English. Donald Macleod is joined by Dr. Colin Roth, a co-director of the Nordic Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. Colin shares his knowledge of both Gade's music and the most detailed biography of the composer, which was published in Denmark in 2002 by Danish musicologist Inger Sørensen.

Today Donald Macleod and Colin Roth assess Niels Gade's contribution to the musical history of Denmark.

Holbergiana, Op. 61 (excerpt)

Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

Ole Schmidt, conductor

Christina ŀstrand, violin

Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra

John Storg倀rds, conductor

Elverskud (Part 3)

Kirsten Dolberg, contralto, the Mother

Guido Pa뀀vatalu, baritone, Oluf

Tivoli Concert Chorus

Tivoli Symphony Orchestra

Michael Schønwandt, conductor.

Donald Macleod assesses Gade's contribution to Denmark's musical history.

Episodes

Series	Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
2017	01	The Wedding Composer	20170220	Donald Macleod's charts Niels Gade's early life, leading up to his breakthrough work, 'Echoes of Ossian'. Taken under his wing by Felix Mendelssohn, in his lifetime the Danish composer Niels Gade was a celebrated figure, who performed to great acclaim in Great Britain and across Europe. In his birthland Denmark, his association with Copenhagen's Music Society and his founding directorship of the Conservatory gave him a voice of influence within musical circles. He remains part of the Danish national consciousness, through the Wedding March from his ballet 'Et folkesagn'. It's one of the most popular picks for weddings. However, since his death, at the age of 73 in 1890, performances of his music have become all too infrequent leaving most of his considerable legacy largely unheard. The 200th anniversary of Gade's birth provides a good reason to rediscover his music. Weddings aside, Niels Gade is the composer of no less than eight symphonies; a concerto for his own instrument, the violin; a rich variety of choral settings and solo songs; a host of chamber music, including a piano trio, and no less than five string quartets; piano music and a whole series of large-scale works which we might want to categorise as choral cantatas but which he called 'concert pieces'. There is little published information about Niels Gade available in English. Donald Macleod is joined by Dr. Colin Roth, a co-director of the Nordic Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. Across the week, Colin shares his own research into Gade's music and information garnered from the most detailed biography of the composer, which was published in Denmark in 2002 by Danish musicologist Inger Sørensen. Today, Donald Macleod explores the years up to Gade's breakthrough as a composer. Born in 1817, Gade's childhood was marked by the economic hardship endured in Copenhagen after the country declared bankruptcy in 1813. Despite the disadvantages of a lack of money and a limited access to education, aged 23, Gade won a prestigious competition with an astonishingly accomplished orchestral overture, 'Echoes of Ossian'. Wedding Waltz (Et Folkesagn) The Danish Radio Sinfonietta Harry Damgaard, conductor Elverskud, Op.30 (Prologue & Part 1) Kirsten Dolberg, contralto, the mother Tivoli Concert Choir Tivoli Symphony Orchestra Michael Schønwandt, conductor Acquarellen, Op.19, Vol 1 Christina Bjørkøe, piano Hymnus Danish National Radio Choir Jesper Grove Jørgensen, conductor Overture: 'Echoes of Ossian', Op.1 The Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Dmitri Kitajenko, conductor. Donald Macleod on Gade's early life, leading up to his breakthrough work, Echoes of Ossian
2017	02	Ghosts And Trolls	20170221	Donald Macleod explores folk-tales in Niels Gade's charming ballet, Et folkesagn, written as a co-production with his father-in-law, the Danish composer J.P.E Hartmann and the literary source of his only Sonata for Piano. Taken under his wing by Felix Mendelssohn, in his lifetime the Danish composer Niels Gade was a celebrated figure, who performed to great acclaim in Great Britain and across Europe. In his birthland Denmark, his association with Copenhagen's Music Society and his founding directorship of the Conservatory gave him a voice of influence within musical circles. He remains part of the Danish national consciousness, through the Wedding March from his ballet 'Et folkesagn'. It's one of the most popular picks for weddings. However, since his death, at the age of 73 in 1890, performances of his music have become all too infrequent leaving most of his considerable legacy largely unheard. The 200th anniversary of Gade's birth provides a good reason to rediscover his music. Weddings aside, Niels Gade is the composer of no less than eight symphonies; a concerto for his own instrument, the violin; a rich variety of choral settings and solo songs; a host of chamber music, including a piano trio, and no less than five string quartets; piano music and a whole series of large-scale works which we might want to categorise as choral cantatas but which he called 'concert pieces'. There is little published information about Niels Gade available in English. Donald Macleod is joined by Dr. Colin Roth, a co-director of the Nordic Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. Across the week, Colin shares his own research into Gade's music and information garnered from the most detailed biography of the composer, which was published in Denmark in 2002 by Danish musicologist Inger Sørensen. Today Donald Macleod and Colin Roth discuss how Gade responded musically to the prevailing artistic currents in Copenhagen. Pa Sjolunds fagre sletter (excerpt) Danish National Radio Choir Stefan Parkman, conductor Symphony No 1 in C minor, Op. 5 (1st movement) Collegium Musicum, Copenhagen Michael Schønwandt, conductor Piano Sonata in E minor, Op 28 Alexander Vaulin, piano Et folkesagn (Act 3, Scene 1) The Danish Radio Sinfonietta Harry Damgaard, conductor. How Gade responded musically to prevailing artistic currents in Copenhagen.
2017	03	Fame And Glory	20170222	Donald Macleod considers Mendelssohn's influence on his prot退g退, Niels Gade, with a complete performance of Gade's Octet, written some twenty years after Mendelssohn had written his. Taken under his wing by Felix Mendelssohn, in his lifetime the Danish composer Niels Gade was a celebrated figure, who performed to great acclaim in Great Britain and across Europe. In his birthland Denmark, his association with Copenhagen's Music Society and his founding directorship of the Conservatory gave him a voice of influence within musical circles. He remains part of the Danish national consciousness, through the Wedding March from his ballet 'Et folkesagn'. It's one of the most popular picks for weddings. However, since his death, at the age of 73 in 1890, performances of his music have become all too infrequent, leaving most of his considerable legacy largely unheard. The 200th anniversary of Gade's birth provides a good reason to rediscover his music. Weddings aside, Niels Gade is the composer of no less than eight symphonies; a concerto for his own instrument, the violin; a rich variety of choral settings and solo songs; a host of chamber music, including a piano trio, and no less than five string quartets; piano music and a whole series of large-scale works which we might want to categorise as choral cantatas but which he called 'concert pieces'. There is little published information about Niels Gade available in English. Donald Macleod is joined by Dr. Colin Roth, a co-director of the Nordic Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. Across the week, Colin shares his knowledge of both Gade's music and the most detailed biography of the composer, which was published in Denmark in 2002 by Danish musicologist Inger Sørensen. Between 1843 and 1848 Niels Gade was a highly respected musician, living and working in Leipzig. It was a period of diverse musical opportunity, which led to a series of major compositions. Fantasiestücke, Op. 43 (1st movement) Rolf Weber, clarinet Kazue Tsuzuki, piano The Crusaders (excerpt from Part 2) Marianne Rørholm, mezzo-soprano (Armida) Kurt Westi, tenor (Rinaldo) Canzone-koret Da Camera Kor 72 Musikstuderendes Kammerkor Aarhus Symphony Orchestra Frans Rasmusssen, Conductor Octet in F major, Op. 17 Berlin Philharmonic String Octet. Donald Macleod considers Mendelssohn's influence on his protege, Niels Gade.
2017	04	The Rising Sun	20170223	Donald Macleod introduces a complete performance of Gade's joyous Fourth Symphony. Taken under his wing by Felix Mendelssohn, in his lifetime the Danish composer Niels Gade was a celebrated figure, who performed to great acclaim in Great Britain and across Europe. In his birthland Denmark, his association with Copenhagen's Music Society and his founding directorship of the Conservatory gave him a voice of influence within musical circles. He remains part of the Danish national consciousness, through the Wedding March from his ballet 'Et folkesagn'. It's one of the most popular picks for weddings. However, since his death, at the age of 73 in 1890, performances of his music have become all too infrequent leaving most of his considerable legacy largely unheard. The 200th anniversary of Gade's birth provides a good reason to rediscover his music. Weddings aside, Niels Gade is the composer of no less than eight symphonies; a concerto for his own instrument, the violin; a rich variety of choral settings and solo songs; a host of chamber music, including a piano trio, and no less than five string quartets; piano music and a whole series of large-scale works which we might want to categorise as choral cantatas but which he called 'concert pieces'. There is little published information about Niels Gade available in English. Donald Macleod is joined by Dr. Colin Roth, a co-director of the Nordic Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. Across the week, Colin shares his knowledge of both Gade's music and the most detailed biography of the composer, which was published in Denmark in 2002 by Danish musicologist Inger Sørensen. As war was breaking out across Europe, in 1848 Niels Gade decided to return to Denmark. Today, Donald Macleod explores the reasons why Gade made this momentous decision, which, according to Dr. Colin Roth's studies, are quite frequently misrepresented. O du, der du die Liebe bist Musica Ficta Bo Holten, director String Quartet in D major, Op. 63 The Copenhagen String Quartet Symphony No 4 in B flat major, Op. 20 Collegium Musicum, Copenhagen Michael Schønwandt, conductor. Donald Macleod explores why Gade made a momentous decision to return to Denmark in 1848.
2017	05 LAST	Tired Of Patriotism	20170224	Donald Macleod introduces Danish composer Niels Gade's Violin Concerto, arguably a hidden jewel of the Romantic repertoire. Taken under his wing by Felix Mendelssohn, in his lifetime the Danish composer Niels Gade was a celebrated figure, who performed to great acclaim in Great Britain and across Europe. In his birthland Denmark, his association with Copenhagen's Music Society and his founding directorship of the Conservatory gave him a voice of influence within musical circles. He remains part of the Danish national consciousness, through the Wedding March from his ballet 'Et folkesagn'. It's one of the most popular picks for weddings. However, since his death, at the age of 73 in 1890, performances of his music have become all too infrequent leaving most of his considerable legacy largely unheard. The 200th anniversary of Gade's birth provides a good reason to rediscover his music. Weddings aside, Niels Gade is the composer of no less than eight symphonies; a concerto for his own instrument, the violin; a rich variety of choral settings and solo songs; a host of chamber music, including a piano trio, and no less than five string quartets; piano music and a whole series of large-scale works which we might want to categorise as choral cantatas but which he called 'concert pieces'. There is little published information about Niels Gade available in English. Donald Macleod is joined by Dr. Colin Roth, a co-director of the Nordic Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. Colin shares his knowledge of both Gade's music and the most detailed biography of the composer, which was published in Denmark in 2002 by Danish musicologist Inger Sørensen. Today Donald Macleod and Colin Roth assess Niels Gade's contribution to the musical history of Denmark. Holbergiana, Op. 61 (excerpt) Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz Ole Schmidt, conductor Christina ŀstrand, violin Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra John Storg倀rds, conductor Elverskud (Part 3) Kirsten Dolberg, contralto, the Mother Guido Pa뀀vatalu, baritone, Oluf Tivoli Concert Chorus Tivoli Symphony Orchestra Michael Schønwandt, conductor. Donald Macleod assesses Gade's contribution to Denmark's musical history.