HERMAN D. KOPPEL
Orchestral Works Vol. 1
Herman D. Koppel, composer

Aalborg Symphony Orchestra
Moshe Atzmon, conductor

About
Herman D. Koppel (1908-1998), with a direct link with Carl Nielsen, was one of the greatest Danish musical personalities of the twentieth century. Hard-working as a composer, pianist and teacher, and patriarch of a music dynasty that has become a Danish counterpart of the Bach family. His works are influenced by the Neo-Classicism of the inter-war years and models like Bartók and Stravinsky who combine a rigorous intellect with impulsive rhythms and jagged edges. Sometimes there is a touch of jazz, which was a great preoccupation of Koppel's in the 1930s. His compositions include seven symphonies, four piano concertos, one cello concerto, an opera based on Shakespeare's Macbeth, chamber music, piano music and songs.

Reviews
Moshe Atzmon and the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra sound perfectly at home in all three widely varied musical styles on this program (and really step up to the plate in the Concerto). Add to that powerfully vivid recorded sound and you have a commanding disc for collectors of 20th century music. 10/10 (Classics Today) [Read full review]

It is very strange that these works have not been widely performed, even in the composer's home country, and it is to be hoped that they will achieve more popularity from these recordings. Dacapo have provided very comprehensive notes, and the recording is of very high quality - very like a top of the line BBC sound. The playing, although the works were unfamiliar, seems to be first rate, and this issue certainly gives the composer the highest level of advocacy. Roll on Volume 2
(Classical Music on the Web)

With autoritative performances and first-class sound this release makes for a highly auspicious launching of one of the most significant undertakings in dacapo's ongoing documentation of Danish music. If aggressively virile and sophisticated music-making is to your taste, then this is one not to miss(Fanfare)

Good recorded sound, with plenty of detail and presence ... Recommended with considerable enthusiasm; I can hardly wait for Volume 2 (International Record Review)

Credits
Recorded at Symfonien, Aalborg on 30 August - 4 September 1999

Recording producer: Henrik Sleiborg
Sound engineer: Knud Esmarch
Editing engineers: Knud Esmarch, Peter Bo Nielsen and Henrik Sleiborg
Publishers: Edition SAMFUNDET (op. 70 and 101) and Edition Wilhelm Hansen A/S

Cover picture: Wilhelm Freddie: "Kvindekomposition på blå bund" (1987)

This CD has been recorded in cooperation with Danmarks Radio