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 creates both contemporary classical music and a mix of classical music with other styles, known as fusion. His musical pieces include works for orchestras, choirs (called cantatas), small groups of instruments (chamber music), and solo performances, especially for the organ.

Many of his compositions were specially requested by the Danish royal family. Frederik Magle is known for being an amazing organ player. He is also a composer and performer who likes to try new and experimental projects. These often include improvisation, mixing classical music with genres like jazz and electronic music.

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

Life of Frederik Magle

Frederik Magle was born in Stubbekøbing, Denmark. His mother was the actress and writer Mimi Heinrich. His father was Christian Reesen Magle, an organist, painter, and sculptor. Frederik is also related to the composer Emil Reesen.

Early Life and Musical Talent

Frederik was recognized as a child prodigy (a child with amazing talent) from a young age. He appeared on television and in the news when he was only nine years old. He started learning piano, how to read music, and music theory at age six.

He was taught composition and music theory by Leif Thybo. He also learned organ from Ib Bindel. 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 as a composer at the same time. He later said it was a tough decision but one he didn't regret.

Frederik Magle at the organ in Koncerthuset, Copenhagen

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, on 14 June 1994. He played Francis Poulenc's Organ Concerto but did not place in the top three.

Frederik's father passed away in 1996. This was just before the first performance of Frederik Magle's Christmas cantata, A newborn child, before eternity, God!, which he dedicated to his father. In 2001, Magle received the Freemason's Arts Prize. He also took over the classical music internet forum "Talk Classical" in 2006.

Frederik has mentioned that he often gets musical ideas in his dreams. He keeps a notebook by his bed to write down any ideas for "musical phrases or an orchestral build-up" that come to him during the night.

Frederik Magle's Music

Early Compositions (1985–1999)

Frederik Magle's first public performance of his own music was on Easter morning, 7 April 1985. A children's choir performed an Easter hymn he had composed in Stubbekøbing church. Two years later, in 1987, six of his hymns were performed by actress and singer Annie Birgit Garde. That same year, he played on television for the first time.

In 1988, two of his larger works, the cantata We are afraid and the "mini-musical" A Christmas Child, were first performed. This happened in Grundtvig's Church in Copenhagen in front of 2,000 people. In 1990, he began working with violinist Nikolaj Znaider, and they performed many concerts together. Znaider later performed Magle's Journey in time for violin and piano in Amsterdam. This piece uses strong dissonances and complex rhythms to create "musical images."

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

His concerto for organ and orchestra, The Infinite Second, was first performed and recorded in 1994. This took place at a music festival in Riga Cathedral, Latvia. Magle himself was the organ soloist. A reviewer described the organ concerto 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. In 1997, a recording of the cantata was released on CD. It featured soloists, two mixed choirs, two children's choirs, a brass band, organ, and percussion. The cantata uses text from an old hymn by Romanos the Melodist.

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 on 24 August 1997 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The London Philharmonic Orchestra played, conducted by David Parry, with Magle on piano. In 1998, the same performers recorded the work for a CD released by Lego.

Also in 1998, he was asked to write a piece for Amnesty International. He composed Flammer for Frihed (Flames for Freedom) for solo piano. This piece was included in a book with essays by famous Danes. On 22 November 1998, Magle's Cantata to Saint Cecilia was first performed in Copenhagen. It was later recorded and released on an album. The cantata tells the story of Saint Cecilia, a Christian saint.

Recent Works (2000–Present)

In 2001, his work The Hope was first performed. This piece for brass band, choir, organ, and percussion was part of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Copenhagen. It was commissioned by the Admiral Danish Fleet. The Hope was later recorded and released by the Royal Danish Navy in 2005.

The Danish organ builders Frobenius asked Magle to create a new work for their 100th anniversary in 2009. Magle performed his Rhapsody for organ Viva Voce at two concerts in May 2009. He played with Dame Gillian Weir.

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 on 8 November. In 2010, he released a double album of free improvisations on the Jørlunde-organ, called Like a Flame. Most reviews were positive, 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 text was written by Iben Krogsdal and Morten Skovsted. The Danish Ministry Ecclesiastical Affairs funded the Mass, making it available online for free.

In 2021, Magle composed Fanfare and Anthem 'Skyward' for brass ensemble, timpani, and percussion. This piece was first performed at the event for the new Danish F-35 fighter jets on April 7, 2021. The Prince of Denmark Air Force Band performed it.

Music for the Danish Royal Family

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

Magle composed a symphonic suite Cantabile. This suite is based on poems by Prince Henrik of Denmark. The first part, "Souffle le vent," was first performed in 2004. The other two parts, "Cortège & Danse Macabre" and "Carillon," were performed in June 2009 in Copenhagen. The score for "Cortège & Danse Macabre" even asks for a real giraffe thigh bone as a percussion instrument!

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

Fusion and Crossover Music

Frederik Magle's first CD, Sangen er et eventyr (The song is a fairytale), released in 1994, featured jazz musicians. He also played organ on the 2005 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. Emil Simonsen from Suspekt said Magle's contribution was "essential" for their new album. He called Frederik Magle "one of the greatest musical sources of inspiration" they had worked with. This collaboration received good reviews in the Danish press. One newspaper called the track "Nyt Pas" "glowing orchestral hip hop." The orchestral music was recorded by the Czech Film Orchestra in Prague.

Magle's fusion work Polyphony combines rock music with contemporary classical music. It was included in an Australian music textbook called In Tune With Music in 2013.

List of Works

This 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 a hospital ward (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 (1993)
• A newborn child, before eternity, God! Christmas cantata (1996)
• Cantata to Saint Cecilia for soloists, choir, children's choir, and chamber orchestra (1998)
• The Hope for brass band, choir, organ and percussion (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 (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 (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