KNUDÅGE RIISAGER
Ballet Music
Knudåge Riisager, composer

Aarhus Symphony Orchestra
Bo Holten, conductor

About
Knudåge Riisager’s (1897-1974) ballet scores for Qarrtsiluni and Månerenen (The Moon Reindeer) accompanied two milestones in 20th century Scandinavian ballet, and have also been recognised as musical masterworks in their own right. Reflecting the ritual and folklore-inspired content of the ballets, the colourful instrumentation and the rich references to Sámi and Inuit folk music make Riisager’s music a unique voyage into the Nordic landscapes that inspired the composer.

Reviews
DISC OF THE MONTH
(ClassicsToday.com)

Holten and the Aarhus Symphony play the music with more than the necessary commitments and entusiasm ... Dacapo´s sonics are simply ideal: warm, focused, and clean.
(10/10 ClassicsToday.com - Read full review)

For those of us who strongly admire Riisager's music, this is an important release... Enthusiastically recommended!
(Amazon.com)

Fornemt udformet og flot instrumenteret ... musikken spilles dirigeres klogt og fængende af Bo Holten
(Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten)

Holtens vitale og billedskabende fortolkning fremsuggererer så meget af eventyrets dynamik og trylleri, at man mener at kunne følge det i detaljer ... orkestret spiller stramt, veloplagt og farverigt
(Politiken)

Slagkraftig og velbygget tager musikken sig ud, klingende uforveksleligt professionelt og aldrig af rutine.
(Kristeligt Dagblad)

Ingen bør snyde sig for denne oplevelse af dansk musik, når den er bedst...
(High Fidelity)

This is a brilliantly orchestrated and balanced music - moving forward in a disciplined blizzard of detail...- add Riisager to your 'to be investigated' list.
(08/11/05 MUSICWEB International)

grâce aussi à l'excellente prestation de l'orchestre et la direction précise de Bo Holten.
(10/10 ClassicsToday France)

Credits
Recorded in Frichsparken, Århus, on 22-26 March 2004
Recording producer: Morten Mogensen
Sound engineer: Claus Byrith
Graphic design: elevator-design.dk

Publishers: Edition Wilhelm Hansen (Qarrtsiluni) and Edition Samfundet (Månerenen)