(from left to right: Nikolaj Znaider, Thomas Dausgaard and Per Nørgård )

Two giants of Danish music – Per Nørgård and Carl Nielsen – are celebrated this year by the acclaimed Danish National Symphony Orchestra /DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation) at the BBC Proms on 30 July. Making a belated Proms debut, Per Nørgård – who celebrates his 70th Birthday this month – is widely considered the most prominent and original living composer in Denmark.

Under the baton of its charismatic Principal Guest Conductor, Thomas Dausgaard, the DNSO brings us the UK premiere of their compatriot Per Nørgård’s sixth and most recent symphony, and celebrated young Danish violinist Nikolaj Znaider makes his Proms debut with Nielsen’s Violin Concerto, in only its second ever Proms performance. Brahms’ First Symphony completes the bill.

Per Nørgård’s Symphony No. 6, subtitled ‘At the End of the Day’, was conceived to be played in the first few days of 2001, to hail the dawn of a new millennium; the subtitle not only refers to the change of calendar, but also reminds us, with a touch of irony, that the end is never final. Anticipated with much excitement, the Sixth is the most outwardly optimistic and rhythmically infectious – if unpredictable and dramatic – of Per Nørgård’s symphonies, and reflects the composer’s untiring curiosity and ability constantly to evolve his compositional style, even as he enters his eighth decade.

Thomas Daugaard is one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation. Together with the players of the DNSO, he has a very special relationship with the composer and fellow Dane. Their work together on the Sixth Symphony has been a process of continual mutual learning and discovery; indeed, Per Nørgård asserts that elements in the evolution of the score have been the direct outcome of this unique musical collaboration, and of Dausgaard’s whole-hearted devotion to the music.

Dausgaard conducted the DNSO in the world premiere recording of Per Nørgård’s Sixth Symphony and Terrains Vagues, which has recently been released on Chandos.

The other Danish work in the programme – Nielsen’s Violin Concerto - brings Thomas Dausgaard together for the first time with his compatriot, the acclaimed young violinist Nikolaj Znaider, heralded by Menuhin as the successor of Eugene Ysaye. The concerto will be performed in the UK for the first time in the new revised Carl Nielsen edition.

Born in 1975 to Polish-Israeli parents, Znaider won first prize in the 1992 Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition, and first became the focus of international attention when he won the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. He now appears regularly with the world’s most prestigious orchestras, and has recently signed an exclusive contract with BMG Classics/ RCA Red Seal, releasing his first recording on the label on 8 April 2002. Znaider’s recording debut of the Neilsen and Bruch No.1 concertos was released on EMI Classics in October 2000, to great acclaim.

Listings information

Tuesday 30 July – BBC Prom
Royal Albert Hall, 7.30pm
6pm: Pre-Prom talk: Per Nørgård in conversation with Stephen Johnson

PROGRAMME:
Per Nørgård Symphony no. 6 ‘At the End of the Day’ (UK premiere)
C. Nielsen Violin concerto Soloist: Nikolaj Znaider
J. Brahms Symphony no.1 in C minor

Wednesday 31 July - Harrogate International Festival
Harrogate International Centre Auditorium, 8pm

PROGRAMME:
R. Strauss Don Juan
C. Nielsen Violin Concerto Soloist: Nikolaj Znaider
J. Brahms Symphony no.1 in C minor

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION:
BBC Prom Box Office:020 7589 8212/ www.bbc.co.uk/proms Ticket prices: £6-25 (£4 prom)
Harrogate International Festival Box Office: 01423 537 230 Ticket prices: £15-28

PRESS CONTACT
For further press information, images or to arrange interviews please contact:
Susie Hunt on 020 7722 3049 or mobile 07973 179 975 or email susiehunt@artspr.co.uk
Debra Boraston on 020 7483 1950 or email debra@henrymoorestudio.co.uk
Web: http://artspr.co.uk