Poul Ruders News

NEW WORKS scheduled for premiere in 2009 and 2010

KAFKAPRICCIO, five paraphrases for 14 instruments on the opera Kafka´s Trial, was commissioned by Athelas-Sinfonietta, Copenhagen, who will premiere the piece in Tallin, Estonia on 24 April 2009, conducted by Erik Jacobsson. 

PAGES I-X. This set of short pieces for guitar solo was written for guitar virtuoso David Starobin, who will give the world premiere on 26 March at Scandinavia House, New York City.

SYMPHONY No. 3 “Dream Catcher”, a Koussevitzky Foundation commission, will have its world premiere on 29 May, 2009, by The Royal Danish Orchestra, conducted by Michael Schønwandt at the new Concert House, Copenhagen.

CONCERTINO for bass trombone solo and 8 instruments. During an international trombone convention in Aarhus, Denmark, bass trombonist Stefan Schulz of the Berlin Philharmonic, will premiere the piece with the Aarhus Sinfonietta, under the baton of Søren Kinch Hansen.

SUMMER´S PRELUDE AND WINTER´S FUGUE.  This 10-minute piece for solo violin was commissioned by the ARD International Musikwettbewerb , Munich, and will be premiered by the semifinalists on September 11, 2009.

HANDEL VARIATIONS. On January 14, 2010, the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Giancarlo Andretti, will premiere this new 30 minute piece, commissioned by the ASO for its 75th Anniversary.

DANCER IN THE DARK. Poul Ruders´ fourth opera, an adaptation of film maker Lars von Trier´s film will receive its Danish premiere in Copenhagen on September 24, 2010, at Old Stage, Copenhagen.  Performed by the Royal Danish Opera, conducted by Michael Schønwandt. Leading roles sung by Ylva Kielberg and Palle Knudsen.

SYMPHONY No. 4 – An Organ Symphony. This work, featuring a significant organ part was commissioned by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with co-commissioners—the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Odense Symphony Orchestra.  The work will be premiered in September, 2010 by the DSO, conducted by Jaap van Zweden.

NEWS!

POUL RUDERS 60th Birthday Concert in New York City:  On March 26,  2009, the eve of Ruders's birthday, Bridge Records and the Scandinavian-American Foundation will present a recital celebrating the music of Poul Ruders at the Scandinavia House.  The program includes: Star Prelude & Love Fugue, Vassily Primakov, piano;  Pages  I-X (world premiere) David Starobin, guitar; Regime for 3 percussionists, The Juilliard Percussion Ensemble; New Rochelle Suite, David Starobin, guitar, Daniel Druckman, percussion. Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean   (US premiere) Mikko Luoma, accordion,  iO-string Quartet.  The composer will be in attendance.

On March 27, 2009,  the composer´s 60th birthday, Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean will be recorded for Bridge Records.

June 14-16, 2009. Athelas-Sinfonietta Copenhagen and Edition Wilhelm Hansen launch a minifestival in Copenhagen, featuring selected works by Ruders. Guest artists: Aventa Ensemble, Canada.

June 17-22, 2009. Poul Ruders will be  composer in residence at the National Music Center,  Ottawa, Canada.

October 6, 2009. Athelas–Sinfonietta Copenhagen presents a concert featuring music by Ruders, including Four Dances in One Movement and the Danish premiere of Kafkapriccio.

New Recordings!
March, 2009: Two new CDs on DaCapo:

Concerto in Pieces; Violin Concerto No. 1; Monodrama.
Aarhus Symphoby Orchestra conducted by Thomas Søndergaard, conductor
Erik Heide, violin; Mathias Reumert, percussion.

Nightshade, Four Dances in One Movement, Abysm
Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Oliver Knussen, conductor