Frederik Magle's symphonic suite Cantabile is comprised of three symphonic poems based on poems by H.R.H. Henrik, the Prince Consort of Denmark, from the poetry collection Cantabile. The symphonic poems can be performed individually or as movements en suite.
The premiere performance in Koncerthuset, Copenhagen, June 10th 2009.
Symphony Orchestra, Choir and soloists: Soprano, Bass-baritone
The Cortège & Danse Macabre begins with the "Cortège", followed by a "Danse Macabre" from bar 115, then returning to the Cortège at bar 202. The main theme of the Cortège is partly stated by the solo flute at the beginning (Click to enlarge):
The Danse Macabre part starts out in 7/8 with a solo for marimba accompanied by strings, pizzicato. The Danse macabre-theme is then introduced by the English Horn at bar 121 while the marimba continues, now as the accompanying part in duet (Click to enlarge):
The Carillon is the only movement with piano but it plays a large role throughout the movement, including some soloistic passages (e.g. from bar 85).
Towards the end, at bar 172, the basses of the choir are required to decent to contra-A (the A below the bass-clef), one of the deepest notes ever written for choir in a symphonic work (Click on the picture with the score detail to hear an excerpt (mp3). Bar 172 begins at 00:38):
At the very end of the movement (bar 227), the main theme from Souffle le vent is reprised leading up to the conclusion of the work with the full forces of the symphony orchestra and choir.
"Souffle le vent" was premiered by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Thomas Dausgaard, with the soloists Sine Bundgaard (soprano) and Bo Anker Hansen (bass-baritone), on June 10th, 2004, in the Tivoli Concert Hall at the gala concert celebrating the 70th birthday of H.R.H. Henrik, The Prince Consort of Denmark.
"Cortège & Danse Macabre" and "Carillon" were premiered five years later, once again by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Thomas Dausgaard, on June 10th, 2009, in DR Koncerthuset (The Copenhagen Concert Hall). Soloists were Ina Kringlebotn and Erlend Tyrmi, and Frederik Magle himself on piano.
Both premieres were broadcast in Danish television (DR TV) and radio.