Frederik Magle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frederik Magle
Frederik Magle conducting on 20 September 2011, in the DRs Koncerthuset.
Born	Frederik Reesen Magle (1977-04-17) 17 April 1977 (age 48) Stubbekøbing, Denmark
Occupation	Composer, concert organist, pianist

Frederik Reesen Magle (born 17 April 1977) is a talented Danish composer, concert organist, and pianist. He writes contemporary classical music, which is new classical music, and also mixes classical music with other styles like jazz and electronic music.

His music includes pieces for orchestras, choirs, and solo instruments, especially the organ. He has even written music for the Danish royal family. Magle is known for being an amazing organ player and for creating exciting, experimental music. He often improvises, which means he makes up music on the spot, blending classical sounds with jazz and electronica.

Some of his most famous works are his organ and orchestra piece The Infinite Second, and Lys på din vej (Light on your path). He wrote Lys på din vej for the christening of Prince Nikolai of Denmark. Other well-known pieces include The Hope for brass band and choir, and his symphonic suite Cantabile. He also has a collection of organ improvisations called Like a Flame and a fanfare for trumpets and organ called The Fairest of Roses.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Frederik Magle was born in Stubbekøbing, Denmark. His mother, Mimi Heinrich, was an actress and writer, and his father, Christian Reesen Magle, was an organist, painter, and sculptor. His great-uncle, Emil Reesen, was also a composer.

Frederik was recognized as a child prodigy very early on. This means he showed amazing talent at a young age. He even appeared on TV and in the news when he was just 9 years old!

Frederik Magle at the organ in Koncerthuset, Copenhagen

He learned music from private teachers like Leif Thybo (for composing) and Ib Bindel (for organ). He started learning piano and music theory when he was six. At 16, he was accepted into the Royal Danish Academy of Music. However, he decided to leave after a year and a half. He explained that he couldn't study at the academy and work on his own compositions at the same time. He later said it was a tough choice but he didn't regret it.

In 1993, he received a scholarship from Countess Erna Hamilton. The next year, he won the Danish part of the Eurovision Young Musicians competition as an organ soloist. He was one of eight winners chosen for the European final in Warsaw, Poland. He played Francis Poulenc's Organ Concerto there.

Frederik's father passed away in 1996, just before Frederik's Christmas cantata, A newborn child, before eternity, God!, was performed for the first time. This cantata was dedicated to his father. In 2001, Frederik received the Freemason's Arts Prize. He also took over a classical music website called "Talk Classical" in 2006.

He has shared that he often gets musical ideas in his dreams. He keeps a notebook by his bed to write down any "musical phrase or orchestral build-up" that comes to him during the night.

Composing Music

Early Compositions (1985–1999)

Frederik Magle's first public performance of his music happened on Easter morning in 1985. A children's choir sang an Easter hymn he had composed in Stubbekøbing church. Two years later, six of his hymns were performed by singer Annie Birgit Garde. That same year, he played on television for the first time.

In 1988, two of his bigger works, the cantata We are afraid and the "mini-musical" A Christmas Child, were first performed in Grundtvig's Church in Copenhagen for 2,000 people. He started working with violinist Nikolaj Znaider in 1990. Znaider later performed Magle's Journey in time for violin and piano in Amsterdam. This piece uses sharp sounds and complex rhythms to create "musical images."

In 1993, Magle wrote music for an experimental play called Der Die Das. This play was part of an international dance festival in Germany. It combined architecture, art, music, and performance.

His concerto for organ and orchestra, The Infinite Second, was first performed and recorded in 1994 in Riga Cathedral, Latvia. Magle himself played the organ. This piece was described as a journey from "darkness to light." It was released on CD in 1996, along with his second symphony for organ, Let there be light.

The Christmas cantata A newborn child, before eternity, God! was first performed in 1996. It was commissioned for Kulturby 96, which was the European Capital of Culture that year. The cantata uses words from an old hymn and has been described as having a "religiously narrative robustness."

From 1995 to 1996, Magle composed a symphonic Lego Fantasia for piano and orchestra. This piece was commissioned by the Lego Group. It was first performed in 1997 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, with Magle playing the piano. The orchestra later recorded the work for a CD released by Lego.

In 1998, he wrote Flammer for Frihed (Flames for Freedom) for solo piano for Amnesty International. This piece was included in a book celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Also in 1998, his Cantata to Saint Cecilia was first performed in Copenhagen. This cantata tells the story of Saint Cecilia, who died for her Christian faith.

Recent Works (2000–Present)

In 2001, Magle's work The Hope was first performed. It was written for brass band, choir, organ, and percussion. This piece was commissioned to remember the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Copenhagen.

The Danish organ builders Frobenius asked Magle to write a new piece for their 100th anniversary in 2009. Magle performed this new work, his Rhapsody for organ Viva Voce, at two concerts.

The Frobenius-organ in Jørlunde church

In October 2009, a new pipe organ was opened in Jørlunde church. Magle helped design this organ after the old one was destroyed in a fire. He played the first concert on the new instrument. In 2010, he released a double album of free improvisations on the Jørlunde-organ, called Like a Flame. Reviewers mostly liked the album, calling it "highly creative" and "visionary."

In 2011, Magle composed an Allehelgenmesse (All Hallows Mass). This mass is meant to be performed on All Saints' Day to remember loved ones who have passed away. The Danish Ministry Ecclesiastical Affairs funded this Mass, making it available for free online.

Magle composed Fanfare and Anthem 'Skyward' for brass ensemble, timpani, and percussion. This piece was first performed at the ceremony for the new Danish F-35 fighter jets on April 7, 2021.

Music for the Danish Royal Family

Frederik Magle has composed several pieces for the Danish royal family.

He played the organ at the christening of Prince Nikolai of Denmark in 1999. He also performed his own composition, Lys på din vej (Light on your path), for organ and brass quintet. This piece was played as the postlude (music played at the end of a service). Lys på din vej was later released on an album. At the christening of Prince Felix of Denmark in 2002, another of Magle's works was premiered as the postlude.

Magle composed a symphonic suite called Cantabile. This suite is based on poems by Prince Henrik of Denmark. The first part was performed in 2004, and the other two parts were performed in 2009 by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. Interestingly, the score for one movement, "Cortège & Danse Macabre," asks for a real giraffe thigh bone as a percussion instrument!

In 2020, Frederik Magle composed the Fanfare for The Royal Danish Orchestra. This fanfare was commissioned by the Royal Danish Theatre for Queen Margrethe II's 80th birthday. Because of the corona-lockdown, the musicians recorded their parts individually at home. The pieces were then put together and presented to the Queen. The fanfare was later performed live when the Royal Danish Theatre reopened.

Mixing Music Styles

Frederik Magle is also known for mixing classical music with other styles. His first CD in 1994, Sangen er et eventyr (The song is a fairytale), was recorded with famous jazz musicians like Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Niels Lan Doky.

In 2005, he played organ improvisations on the avant-garde album Hymn to Sophia with jazz saxophonist John Tchicai.

In 2011, Magle composed symphonic music for the album Elektra by the Danish hip hop group Suspekt. The group's member, Emil Simonsen, said Magle's contribution was "essential" for their new album. This collaboration received good reviews, with one newspaper calling it "glowing orchestral hip hop." The orchestral music was recorded by the Czech Film Orchestra in Prague.

Magle's fusion-work Polyphony, which combines rock music with contemporary classical music, was included in an Australian music textbook in 2013.

List of Works

Here is a list of some of Frederik Magle's main works:

Orchestra

• Concerto for organ and orchestra The infinite second (1994)
• Symphonic Lego Fantasia for piano and orchestra, commissioned by the Lego Group (1995–96)
• Rising of a new day (1998)
• Lys på din vej (Light on your path) – orchestral version (1999–2000)
• Cantabile, symphonic suite for orchestra, choir, and soloists (2004–2009)
• Nuit mélodique for soprano, piano, and string orchestra (2016)
• Den Hemmelige Have (The Secret Garden) for orchestra, written for the radiation therapy ward at Rigshospitalet (2019)
• Det Kongelige Kapels Fanfare (Fanfare for The Royal Danish Orchestra) for brass ensemble and percussion (2020)

Choir

• We Are Afraid Cantata for choir and instruments (1988)
• Der Die Das, opera for 2 soloists and choir (by Hotel Pro Forma) (1993)
• A newborn child, before eternity, God! Christmas cantata, for brass band, choir, soloists, organ and percussion (1996)
• Cantata to Saint Cecilia for soloists, choir, children's choir, and chamber orchestra (1998)
• The Hope for brass band, choir, organ and percussion, written in memory of the battle of Copenhagen (2001)
• Phoenix for mixed choir and organ or piano (2003)
• Allehelgenmesse (All Hallows Mass) for soprano, choir, cello and organ (2011)

Songs and Hymns

• 30 hymns (1985)
• 20 songs based on fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen (1986–92)

Organ

• Symphony for organ No. 1 (1990)
• Symphony for organ No. 2 Let there be light (1993)
• Fantasia for organ Forårssol (1999)
• Cantilena (2003)
• Viva Voce (2008)
• At Blive (To Become) (2009)
• Like a Flame, 22 pieces for organ (2009–2010)

Piano

• Flammer for Frihed (Flames for Freedom) (1998)

Chamber Music

• Lys på din vej (Light on your path) for organ and brass quintet, written for the christening of Prince Nikolai of Denmark (1999)
• Variations and theme Rejse i Tid (Journey in Time) for violin and piano (1999)
• Decet Dage og Nætter (Days and Nights) (1999)
• Intermezzo for brass quintet (2001)
• Kosmos for trumpet and organ (2001)
• Dåbens Pagt (Pact of the Baptism) for brass quintet, written for the christening of Prince Felix of Denmark (2002)
• The Fairest of Roses (Den Yndigste Rose), fanfare for two trumpets and organ (2017)
• "Lament" for violin and organ (2017)

Other Works

• Handle with care – Life inside ballet (1995)
• En Anden Verden – Indgangen (Another World – The Entrance) for brass band (1997)

Discography

• 1993 Sangen er et eventyr (The song is a fairytale). Thomas Eje, The Danish Boys' Choir, Trio Rococo, Niels Lan Doky, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Alex Riel. BMG 74321 24537-2
• 1994 The Infinite Second. Latvian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Dzintars Josts, Frederik Magle (The organ in Riga Cathedral). EMI Classics 5555972
• 1997 Et nyfødt barn, før evighed, Gud! (A newborn child, before eternity, God). Christmas cantata. EMI Classics 5565942
• 1998 Symphonic Lego Fantasia. London Philharmonic Orchestra, David Parry, Frederik Magle (piano). Released by the Lego Group.
• 1999 Cæciliemusik (Music for Saint Cecilia). Danacord DACOCD 520
• 2000 Lys på din vej (Light on your path). Frederik Magle (piano and organ), The Brass Ensemble of the Royal Danish Guards, Danish National Chamber Orchestra, Frans Rasmussen. EMI Classics 5571152
• 2004 Kosmos. ClassicO CLASSCD 478
• 2005 Søværnet Ønsker God Vind (The Royal Danish Navy wishes godspeed). The Royal Danish Naval Band. Released by the Royal Danish Navy
• 2005 Hymne til Sofia (Hymn to Sophia). John Tchicai, Peter Ole Jørgensen, Frederik Magle. Calibrated CALI012
• 2010 Like a Flame. Frederik Magle (organ improvisations). Proprius Music PRCD 2061
• 2011 Elektra. Featured symphonic music by Frederik Magle on the Suspekt-album. Universal Music/Tabu Records.
• 2013 Nordisk Musik. Music for voice and brass quintet, including "Lys på din vej". Povl Dissing, Signe Sneh Schreiber, Den Kongelige Livgardes Messingensemble (Brass Ensemble of the Royal Danish Guards). Exlibris EXLCD30158
• 2017 Anastasis-Messe.

See also

In Spanish: Frederik Magle para niños