With his symphonies, the Danish composer�Rued Langgaard�offered 16 vastly different versions of what a symphony can be. His captivating, complex genius made room for all conceivable idioms and a wealth of styles ranging from the grandiosely Late Romantic to the purest Absurdism. This box is the first collected recording of Langgaard's 16 symphonies based on the critical edition of the scores; recordings which demonstrate, with spectacular sound quality, Langgaards masterly grasp of the orchestra and his ecstatic view of art: "Mr. Dausgaard's keen advocacy elicits polished, persuasive accounts that live up to Langgaard's motto:�Long Live Beauty", wrote The New York Times.

The Early Recordings Vol. 2 features a number of Langgaard pioneers who presented piano, organ and vocal works in the period 1963-1974. In 1970, Noe�l Lee recorded the first LP of piano music by Langgaard; it is reissued here for the first time on CD. Organist Jorgen Ernst Hansen can be heard on Langgaard's Ribe Cathedral organ (1970). In the 1960s, Royal Theatre soloist, Bonna Sondberg recorded several songs and major vocal works for Danmarks Radio, a selection of which are released here for the first time. The album contains examples of the wide range of expression in Langgaard's music from 1909 to 1951.

Danmarks Radio (DR) played a decisive role when it comes to music by the romantic outsider Rued Langgaard (1893-1952). DR was the driving force in the relaunch of Langgaard from 1966 and many years ahead. This double CD contains the earliest recordings of symphonic works from 1957 to 1981. Main works such as the symphonies 4, 6 and 16 as well as The Music of the Spheres are among the nine unique recordings, of which only two previously have been released. The works show the full breadth of expression in Langgaard's oeuvre from 1907 to 1951.

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Piano Works

In the veritable musical frenzy that struck Rued Langgaard (1893-1952) near the end of his life, he composed several violin sonatas – a genre he had not paid much attention to since his early days. In this second in a series of three recordings presenting Langgaard’s complete works for violin and piano the award-winning violinist Gunvor Sihm and the Langgaard expert Berit Johansen Tange perform the Violin Sonata No. 1, composed in the course of four days in mid-June – when Langgaard was vacationing in Southern Sweden, and Langgaard’s last work for violin, the Andante religioso, in addition to the Sunday Sonata, one of Langgaard’s most bizarre and unpredictable compositions.

The Nightingale String Quartet’s survey of the complete quartet works of Rued Langgaard (1893-1952) heralded the arrival of a major new ensemble and won the maverick Danish composer thousands of new fans. Poised and restrained one minute, wild and emotional the next, Langgaard’s string quartets reveal the composer’s breathtaking originality and individuality, oscillating between luscious Romanticism and outlandish experimentation. They are played with love and understanding on these multiple prize-winning recordings, here gathered together in a single release for the first time. “The Nightingale Quartet understand all these aspects: the provocative vitality, the fragile romantic sensitivity, and the striking intellectual independence behind it all.” (BBC Music Magazine) “Simply breathtaking.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

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Review excerpts of previously released volumes included in this set:


Langgaard: String Quartets V. 1

The performances here are marvelous, make no mistake. The Nightingale String Quartet relishes every bizarre nuance, from the chugging locomotive in the Second Quartet to the “Agitato orribilmente” and “Burlesco rustico” sections of the single-movement Sixth Quartet. But the playing never turns crude, and never indulges Langgaard’s wackier ideas at the expense of solid musical values.

– ClassicsToday


Langgaard: String Quartets, Vol. 2

Besides Langgaard's delightful, fundamentally hospitable music, the NSQ's interpretations are also most commendable. A blend of expressive astuteness and technical self-confidence leaves the whole project smelling aptly of roses.

– Gramophone

Rued Langgaard’s string quartets are passionate works from the eccentric composer’s youth. This third and concluding release in the Nightingale String Quartet’s acclaimed CD series presents the premiere recording of Langgaard’s very first string quartet, which the composer began at the age of 21 in 1914. Like the subsequent quartets it is shot through with moving musical references to the fateful summer the year before, when the composer met the (hopeless) love of his life.

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