Royal Danish Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Royal Danish Orchestra (Det Kongelige Kapel) is a Danish orchestra based in Copenhagen
. The Danish name for the orchestra indicates its original function as an ensemble geared to supplying the music for court events. The orchestra traces its origins back to 1448 and the Trumpet Corps at the royal court of King Christian I
, and thus has claims to be the oldest orchestra in the world.
Over the years, the orchestra moved out of the court and settled down in the pit
at the Royal Danish Theatre
. Its leaders included Christoph Willibald Gluck
, who composed the music for special occasions such as the celebration of the birth, in 1749, of the later King Christian VII
, whilst in Denmark. A growing number of engagements saw an increase in the size of the orchestra. When Johan Gottlieb Naumann carried out his reforms in the 1780s, the ensemble numbered 46 members. At this time, the Chorus of the Royal Danish Opera became permanently assigned to the Royal Danish Theatre. F.L.Æ. Kunzen
introduced Mozart into the ensemble's repertoire in the 1790s.
The tenure of Johan Svendsen
, starting in 1883, began a pronounced period of growth and development for the orchestra, including Svendsen’s introduction of major symphonic works in a series of concerts by the Royal Danish Orchestra that gradually became a tradition in the world of Danish music, while the major symphonies became the domain of the orchestra. Carl Nielsen
served with the orchestra for many years, partly as 2nd violin and partly as conductor. King Frederik IX
enjoyed a particularly close relationship with the Royal Danish Orchestra, pursuing with its members his interest for the art of conducting.
Today, the Royal Danish Orchestra consists of around 130 musicians. The Copenhagen Concert Hall
of Danish Radio is the principal venue for the orchestra's traditional symphony concerts. The orchestra also performs at the Copenhagen Opera House as the pit orchestra for the Royal Danish Opera, as well as holding annual chamber orchestra concerts on its main stage. The smaller experimental stage Takkelloftet is the venue of their chamber concerts. Most ballet and some opera performances takes place at the Old Stage
.
Michael Schønwandt
was the orchestra's most recent principal conductor, from 2000 to 2011. In September 2011, the orchestra announced the appointment of Jakub Hrůša
as its next music director, effective September 2013.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
. The Danish name for the orchestra indicates its original function as an ensemble geared to supplying the music for court events. The orchestra traces its origins back to 1448 and the Trumpet Corps at the royal court of King Christian I
Christian I of Denmark
Christian I was a Danish monarch, king of Denmark , Norway and Sweden , under the Kalmar Union. In Sweden his short tenure as monarch was preceded by regents, Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna and Erik Axelsson Tott and succeeded by regent Kettil Karlsson Vasa...
, and thus has claims to be the oldest orchestra in the world.
Over the years, the orchestra moved out of the court and settled down in the pit
Orchestra pit
An orchestra pit is the area in a theater in which musicians perform. Orchestral pits are utilized in forms of theatre that require music or in cases when incidental music is required...
at the Royal Danish Theatre
Royal Danish Theatre
The Royal Danish Theatre is both the national Danish performing arts institution and a name used to refer to its old purpose-built venue from 1874 located on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen. The theatre was founded in 1748, first serving as the theatre of the king, and then as the theatre of the...
. Its leaders included Christoph Willibald Gluck
Christoph Willibald Gluck
Christoph Willibald Ritter von Gluck was an opera composer of the early classical period. After many years at the Habsburg court at Vienna, Gluck brought about the practical reform of opera's dramaturgical practices that many intellectuals had been campaigning for over the years...
, who composed the music for special occasions such as the celebration of the birth, in 1749, of the later King Christian VII
Christian VIII of Denmark
Christian VIII , was king of Denmark from 1839 to 1848 and, as Christian Frederick, king of Norway in 1814. He was the eldest son of Hereditary Prince Frederick of Denmark and Norway and Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, born in 1786 at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen...
, whilst in Denmark. A growing number of engagements saw an increase in the size of the orchestra. When Johan Gottlieb Naumann carried out his reforms in the 1780s, the ensemble numbered 46 members. At this time, the Chorus of the Royal Danish Opera became permanently assigned to the Royal Danish Theatre. F.L.Æ. Kunzen
F.L.Æ. Kunzen
Friedrich Ludwig Æmilius Kunzen was a German composer and conductor who lived and worked for much of his life in Denmark.-Life:...
introduced Mozart into the ensemble's repertoire in the 1790s.
Johan Svendsen
Johan Severin Svendsen was a Norwegian composer, conductor and violinist. Born in Christiania , Norway, he lived most his life in Copenhagen, Denmark....
, starting in 1883, began a pronounced period of growth and development for the orchestra, including Svendsen’s introduction of major symphonic works in a series of concerts by the Royal Danish Orchestra that gradually became a tradition in the world of Danish music, while the major symphonies became the domain of the orchestra. Carl Nielsen
Carl Nielsen
Carl August Nielsen , , widely recognised as Denmark's greatest composer, was also a conductor and a violinist. Brought up by poor but musically talented parents on the island of Funen, he demonstrated his musical abilities at an early age...
served with the orchestra for many years, partly as 2nd violin and partly as conductor. King Frederik IX
Frederick IX of Denmark
Frederick IX was King of Denmark from 20 April 1947 until his death on 14 January 1972....
enjoyed a particularly close relationship with the Royal Danish Orchestra, pursuing with its members his interest for the art of conducting.
Today, the Royal Danish Orchestra consists of around 130 musicians. The Copenhagen Concert Hall
Copenhagen Concert Hall
The Copenhagen Concert Hall by Jean Nouvel is a part of the new DR Byen , that houses the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, DR. The concert hall and the DR Town are located in the northern part of Ørestad - an ambitious development area in Copenhagen, Denmark...
of Danish Radio is the principal venue for the orchestra's traditional symphony concerts. The orchestra also performs at the Copenhagen Opera House as the pit orchestra for the Royal Danish Opera, as well as holding annual chamber orchestra concerts on its main stage. The smaller experimental stage Takkelloftet is the venue of their chamber concerts. Most ballet and some opera performances takes place at the Old Stage
Royal Danish Theatre
The Royal Danish Theatre is both the national Danish performing arts institution and a name used to refer to its old purpose-built venue from 1874 located on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen. The theatre was founded in 1748, first serving as the theatre of the king, and then as the theatre of the...
.
Michael Schønwandt
Michael Schønwandt
Michael Schønwandt is a Danish conductor. In Denmark, he studied piano, theory, and composition, and later continued musical studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London....
was the orchestra's most recent principal conductor, from 2000 to 2011. In September 2011, the orchestra announced the appointment of Jakub Hrůša
Jakub Hruša
Jakub Hrůša , is a Czech conductor, the son of the architect Petr Hrůša.Hrůša studied piano and trombone, and developed an interest in conducting, during his gymnasium years in Brno. Later he studied conducting at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, where his teachers included Jiří...
as its next music director, effective September 2013.
Principal conductors
- Heinrich SchützHeinrich SchützHeinrich Schütz was a German composer and organist, generally regarded as the most important German composer before Johann Sebastian Bach and often considered to be one of the most important composers of the 17th century along with Claudio Monteverdi...
- Johann Gottlieb NaumannJohann Gottlieb NaumannJohann Gottlieb Naumann was a German composer, conductor, and Kapellmeister.- Life :...
- Friedrich Kunzen
- Claus SchallClaus SchallClaus Nielsen Schall was a Danish violinist and composer.-Notable works:*Bønderne og herrerne på lystgården *Kjærlighedens og Mistankens Magt *Savoyardinderne...
- Niels Gade
- Holger Simon PaulliHolger Simon PaulliHolger Simon Paulli was a Danish conductor and composer.Paulli was a violin student of Claus Schall. He joined the Royal Danish Orchestra, and became its conductor in 1864. At the same time, he also conducted the Orchestra of the Cecilia Foreningen, and assumed the directorship of the Copenhagen...
- Johan SvendsenJohan SvendsenJohan Severin Svendsen was a Norwegian composer, conductor and violinist. Born in Christiania , Norway, he lived most his life in Copenhagen, Denmark....
(1883–1908) - Frederik RungFrederik RungFrederik Rung was a Danish composer, the son of Henrik Rung.-External links:...
- Georg HøebergGeorg HøebergGeorg Høeberg was a Danish composer and conductor. His 1933 performance of Carl Nielsen's Fifth Symphony is thought to be the earliest surviving recorded performance of any Nielsen symphony. His grandfather was the Danish composer and conductor at Tivoli Gardens, Hans Christian Lumbye.-External...
(1914–1930) - Egisto TangoEgisto TangoEgisto Tango was the conductor of several premieres by Bartók, including The Wooden Prince and Bluebeard's Castle....
and Johan Hye-KnudsenJohan Hye-Knudsen-External links:*... - John Frandsen (1946–1980)
- Paavo BerglundPaavo BerglundPaavo Allan Engelbert Berglund is a Finnish conductor.Born in Helsinki, Berglund studied the violin as a child, and played an instrument made by his grandfather. By age 15, he had decided on music as his career, and by 18 was playing in restaurants...
(1993–1998) - Michael SchønwandtMichael SchønwandtMichael Schønwandt is a Danish conductor. In Denmark, he studied piano, theory, and composition, and later continued musical studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London....
(2000–2011)