Advent Concert with Christian IV’s Vokalensemble and Camerata Øresund

Address

Dalumvej 112b,
Odense

Advent Concert with Christian IV’s Vokalensemble and Camerata Øresund

Description

Christmas is traditionally celebrated with music that honours the birth of Jesus. In this Advent concert, however, the gaze is turned one step back, focusing on the woman who gave him life: the mother, sister, comforter, healer, intercessor, protector and soulmate – the Virgin Mary. We will hear musical tributes to her by, among others, the French composers Charpentier and DuMont, as well as in Vivaldi’s famous Magnificat. In addition, music is presented in honour of another saint who has inspired composers through the centuries: the patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia. With rarely performed music centred on these two female figures, Camerata Øresund and Christian IV’s Vokalensemble offer an Advent programme that celebrates the heartfelt, the reflective and the sensitive – as well as the music itself. Admission 100 kr. (payable at the door) Doors open at 15.30! Camerata Øresund is a visionary early music ensemble, driven by a passion for Baroque music, its diverse expression and enchanting world of sound. Despite deep roots in the traditions of Baroque music, we put our own stamp on the music with a personal style of playing and a varied approach. By experimenting with the concert format, seeking new paths in interpretation or exploring rarely heard repertoire, we bring out the surprising sides of the music and thus shed light on it from many angles. In an energetic and intuitive ensemble we enjoy creating the music in the moment and wish to spread the joy of music with vital concerts that reach a modern audience. Just as it is our mission to inspire the audience, we are also inspired in meeting other musicians and art forms. In collaboration with folk musicians, composers, dancers or singers we broaden our view of the possibilities of the old instruments, and new creative ideas emerge. Our projects range widely: rare musical rediscoveries, unconventional concert formats, opera, new commissioned works, great well-known works with choir or themed concerts for children. Whatever the form, our concerts are distinguished by infectious joy of playing, personal communication and a welcoming atmosphere – an atmosphere that invites the audience into a community around the music and an enriching musical experience. Camerata Øresund is based in Copenhagen and has had the Baroque violinist Peter Spissky as artistic director since its founding in 2010. The ensemble consists of 9 permanent musicians from both sides of the Øresund, but is on occasion expanded to as many as 30 musicians and singers. About Christian IV’s Vokalensemble: Christian IV's vokalensemble is named after Denmark’s music-loving king, who enjoyed surrounding himself with the best music that could be found in Europe. Starting from the same joy and interest in the repertoire of this period, the vocal ensemble was formed by conductor and harpsichordist Ruben Munk in 2005, as an extension of Christian IV's Baroque ensemble, and since 2013 has consisted of 8 professional singers from all over the Nordic countries. The ensemble has already made its mark at an international level, and over the years it has given a large number of concerts and radio broadcasts in Denmark, Sweden, Germany and the Baltics. Since 2021 the ensemble has had a permanent home in Helligaandskirken on Strøget - one of Copenhagen’s largest and most centrally located churches. The church’s premises, with the magnificent nave and the beautiful vaults and special acoustics of Helligaandshuset, form an inspiring setting for the ensemble’s musical work. Communicating the music has been essential to the ensemble from the start. The ensemble works to come across as a living and storytelling group of people with something on their minds. We cultivate and explore the stylistic ideals of the Renaissance with the polyphonic voice leading and the homophonic harmonies, while also focusing on the soloistic qualities of the individual singer. With every single concert project, we ask ourselves how we make the music alive, relevant and exciting for the audience. What lies at the bottom of the pile of scores and needs to reach audiences anew, or how can our interpretation of Handel’s Messiah give listeners something new? How can it be rethought, and how can we make it relevant for people in today’s Denmark? Sometimes the music stands strongest if it is allowed to stand alone. At other times the programme is prepared in collaboration with dramaturges, music historians and theologians - they contribute to creating a backdrop where the music can step forward with clarity and intensity - entirely in line with the chiaro oscuro ideals of the Renaissance. 1 1 2023 the ensemble was able to celebrate its 10th anniversary as a professional vocal ensemble. The anniversary was marked with two performances of Handel's Dixit Dominus and Vivaldi's Magnificat with an expanded line-up and Christian IV's Baroque ensemble. The anniversary season ended with a series of concerts with music by Per Nørgård and Mogens Pedersøn at, among other places, Charlottenlund Slot, Garderhøjfortet and Skt. Nicolai Kirke in Rønne. In December 2024 Christian IV's Vokalensemble performed G.F. Handel’s oratorio Theodora together with the Baroque ensemble Camerata Øresund. The concerts played to sold-out halls and were received very warmly by both audiences and reviewers. 1 2025 Christian IV's Vokalensemble toured with the programme "Noél - En fransk Julefortælling". CONDUCTOR: Ruben Munk (b. 1980) graduated as a soloist organist from Det Kgl. Danske Musikkonservatorium in 2005. After study periods in Paris he continued with studies in harpsichord with Lars Ulrik Mortensen and Christine Schornsheim at the conservatoire’s department of early music. He made his debut from Det Kgl. Danske Musikkonservatorium’s soloist class in 2011. In addition, he has training in choral conducting from Norges Musikkhøgskole in 2018. Ruben has an extensive concert career both as an organ soloist and as an ensemble leader. As a conductor he has, with Christian IV's Vokalensemble, led many performances of larger RUBEN MUNK church-musical works. He is the recipient of Robert Roussels Mindelegat and Léonie Sonnings Legat (2011). Since March 2021 he has been employed as organist at Helligaandskirken on Strøget. SINGERS: The ensemble’s singers come from Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and are trained to the highest level at the respective countries’ music conservatoires and opera academies. While also being soloists, they specialise in ensemble singing, and have specific skills in historically informed performance practice.