Complete Symphonies, Requiem : Dausgaard / Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Danish National Symphony Orchestra & Choir (4SACD)

ASGER HAMERIK: The Symphonies (4SACD)

Symphony No. 1 in F major, Op. 29 “Symphonie poetique” (1879-80)
Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 32 “Symphonie tragique” (1882-83)
Symphony No. 3 in E major, Op. 33 “Symphonie lyrique” (1883-84)
Symphony No. 4 in C major, Op. 35 “Symphonie majestueuse” (1888-89)
Symphony No. 5 in G minor, Op. 36 “Symphonie serieuse” (1889-91)
Symphony No. 6 in G major, Op. 38 “Symphonie spirituelle” (1897)
Symphony No. 7, Op. 40 "Choral-Symphony" for orchestra, choir and mezzo-soprano
Requiem, Op. 34 (1886-87) for orchestra, choir and contralto

Randi Stene - mezzo-soprano: Symphony No. 7
Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra: Symphonies Nos. 1 - 6
Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Choir: Symphony No. 7, Requiem
Thomas Dausgaard, conductor

Asger Hamerik (1843-1923) counts as the most cosmopolitan Danish 19th-century composer and was even celebrated as a pioneering figure in American musical life of his day. Sadly, however, his more than one hundred compositions fell into oblivion, and a revival is long overdue. Hamerik’s crowning efforts were the seven symphonies and a Requiem. Composed during his long tenure as director of the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, this is grand Late Romantic music, and the internationally oriented cycle of symphonies perfectly matches the qualities that characterize Thomas Dausgaard, one of the most remarkable Nordic conductors of today and a passionate champion of great music off the beaten track. ( Dacapo Records )

Symphonies 1-6:
Recorded in the Helsingborg Concert Hall, Sweden, on June 11-14 1997 (No. 1), September 1-3 1997 (No. 2), September 4-5 1997 (No. 3), December 15-16 1997 (No. 4), 15 December 1997 and 11-12 June 1998 (No. 5), and 25-26 May 2000 (No. 6)
Recording producer: Michael Petersen
Sound engineer: Michael Petersen and Preben Iwan (nos. 5 & 6)

Choral-Symphony and Requiem:
Recorded in the Danish Radio Concert Hall on 6-7 September 2002 (Requiem) and 12-15 May 2005 (Choral-Symphony)
Recording producers: Chris Hazell (Choral Symphony) and Preben Iwan (Requeim)
Sound engineers: Jan Oldrup and Jorn Damgaard Jacobsen
Balance engineers: Jan Oldrup and Jorn Damgaard Jacobsen
Editing: Morten Mogensen and Jorn Damgaard Jacobsen
Mastering: Preben Iwan and Jan Oldrup

SACD Hybrid
CD STEREO/ SACD STEREO/ SACD SURROUND