COMPOSITIONS by HANNE TOFTE JESPERSEN
LIST OF WORKS
survey according to genre
(pdf, will open in new window)
WORKS
chronologically:
2023
METAMORPHOSES - A SOLO DIALOGUE - for Clarinet in Eb and Basset horn (1 player; 8 min 30)
Commissioned by the clarinettist Anna Klett, with composer's fee from Louis-Hansen Fond, DKF / KODA Culture and Danish Arts Foundation. 1st performance 11 July 2023 during the festival Summartónar, Faroe Islands.
Å KOME TILBAKE DIT EIN ALDRI FØR HAR VORE / TO RETURN TO WHERE ONE HAS NEVER BEEN BEFORE - for soprano & piano to a poem by Marit Tusvik - (10:30)
commissioned work to Duo Karhuluoma-Andersson. Commissioned by pianist Ida Andersson, with composer's fee by Augustinus Fonden, Louis-Hansens Fonden and KODA Culture. 1.perf. Oct 2 2022 in Art Song Aarhus.
FULL MOON - for 2 clarinets in Bb and piano, to Cathy Wood & Jenny McClay - (5:20)
Commissioned by Cathy Wood, Prof. of Clarinet, Brandon Univ. MB, Canada,
1st performed 3 July 2022 Int.Clarinet Fest, Reno, Nevada, US. With support from Danish Composers Society/KODA Culture.
2021
FROM 'FAR AWAY' - for string orchestra and percussion (1 player: large gong, snare, tringle, temple blocks) - dur. 8:30 min.
NIGHT OF A FULL MOON - for clarinet, bass clarinet, harp, piano - dur. 4:40
VIBRANDRING FO-100 - concert in 3 phases, for voices & sinfonietta with integrated walk for performers and audience - total dur. 1h. Premiered 3 Sept 2021 during Nordic Music Days at the Faroe Islands.
2020
TIMES OF UNREST / UROLIGE TIDER - String Quartet No.1 (23:30) - for Nordic String Quartet.
Commissioned by BRAGE Chamber Music Society on behalf of 5 Danish music societies, 1st performance 4 Nov 2020 in VÆRKET, Randers. Composer's fee sponsored by Augustinus Fonden,William Demant Foundation, The Danish Arts Foundation, Danish Composers Society/KODA Culture. CD 'Urolige Tider / Times of Unrest (DACOCD 945, Danacord) release 19.9.2022
FANTASIA in view of J.S.Bach (12:30) - for solo violin.
Commissioned by violinist Kuno Kjærbye. First performace 1 Nov.2020 in Engholm Church.
Rec. 2022 by Kuno Kjærbye, for online album 'Hanne Tofte Jespersen: Works for strings', Presto Classical Autumn '22.
2019
Finding Consorts (15:30) - for zink (cornetto), violin, viola da gamba, theorbo.
Commissioned by Festival Lübecker Lauten Lust.
composer's fee sponsored byThe Danish Arts Foundation, Danish Composers Society/KODA Culture and German foundations.
1st performance by Andreas Arend, theorbo - Núria Sanromà Gabàs, cornetto - Emmanuelle Bernard, violin - Heidi Gröger, viola da gamba 16 June 2019 in Lübeck (DE). Danish 1st perf during Festival TIDLØS 2021 and studio rec. Nov 2021.
VIBRANDRING (18 min) for voc (3), fl, ob, cl, bs, hn, vl1, vl2, vla, vcl, perc (3 players).
Collaborate work in 6 movements. Lyrics for 1.-5.mov. by 7th form culture-talent students. Lyricsfor 6.mov. by Einar Már Guðmundsson in Erik Skyum-Nielsen's translation to Danish. Commissioned by Esbjerg Ensemble, for the ensemble & youth talents of Esbjerg & Varde Cultural Schools, with composer's fee from The Danish Arts Foundation an dsponsored also by Vadehavspuljen. Premiere 5.-6. April 2019 in Varde and Esbjerg.
2018
På gjennomreise/ Passing through - Three songs for soprano and piano for poems by Marit Tusvik (10 min).
Commissioned work for duo Gitta-Maria Sjöberg & Polina Fradkina, commissioned by Roskilde Music Association
with composers fee from The Danish Arts Foundation. First performance 28 Jan 2018 in Roskilde Music Association.
Rec. May 2018 by Micropascal, published online 2019. CD release 2020.
Historien er et træ / History is a tree (3:10 min).
for voc, fl, ob, cl, bs, hn, vl1, vl2, vla, vcl, perc (3 players). Lyrics by Einar Már Guðmundsson in Erik Skyum-Nielsen's translation to Danish. Signature music for 'VIBRANDRING', commissioned by Esbjerg Ensemble, for the ensemble & youth talents of Esbjerg & Varde Cultural Schools. Collaborate process had kick off with this movement 21-22.Sept '18.
Vi er naturens helte / We are nature's heroes (5:00 min)
Interactive
collaborate work for 3-5 yr children and one professional player. Scored for choreographed children's voicse and cello. Commissionedfor music & art project in Lejre District March 2018 in Tusindfryd Kindergarten, Kirke Saaby.
2017
There is a stream (4:30) - for soloviolin & guitar. Commissioned by duo Kuno Kjærbye (vl) & Mikkel Andersen (g).
1st performance 18.11.17 i Schott Recital Room, London
HØREBILLEDER / THE GARDEN - three tales: (30 min) - for fl, cl, bs, vl, vla, vcl, hp, p
(piccolo, fl, alto fl -1 player; cl in A & Bb, Basscl - 1 player; bs & cbcl - 1 player)
Commissioned work in eight movements for Ensemble Storstrøm, commissioned by the ensemble to form the live concert experience in the outreach project 'THE GARDEN - 3 tales', a collaboration between Museum Lolland-Falster , Ensemble Storstrøm, Fuglsang Art Museum and Kulturtjenesten. The title 'Hørebilleder' literally means 'Audio Images'.
Premiere Sept-Oct 2017, next performances April-May 2018.
Gottorfer Tongewebe (6:10) for solo violin & pipe organ (2 manuals). Commissioned by Erik Hildebrandt-Nielsen (org) for duo Kjærbye-Hildebrandt-Nielsen, with composers fee from The Danish Arts Foundation. German 1st performance in Gottorfer Schlosskapelle 28 Apr 2017; Danish in Engholm Church 25 Apr.
Hommage à Nicolaus Bruhns (4:35) for solo violin & pipe organ (2 manuals).
Commissioned by Erik Hildebrandt-Nielsen (org). German 1st performance in Gottorfer Schlosskapelle 28 Apr 2017; Danish in Engholm Church 25 Apr.
Hvis Landet Kunne Tale 8 / If the Land could talk 8 (25 min)
interactive work for 4-5 yr old children, consisting of 6 songs and 4 interludes with storyteller.
Scored for choreographed childrens voices, horn, double bass, percussion (balophone, brekete, chimes, cymbal, djembe, maraccas, shaman drum, udu).
Commissioned for music and art project in Roskilde District, first performed 21 June 2017.
by Thorbjørn Gram, horn,Katrine Øigaard, cello, Anders Hvidberg-Hansen, perc., Hanne Tofte Jespersen, storyteller and conductor, and children from Præstemarken, Mælkevejen, Ravnen, Hanen, Knolden and Klostermarken's Kindergartens.
audio: http://www.hvislandetkunnetale.dk/musikken/de-samlede-musikvaerker/
2016
Etruria - Suite in 9 movements for violin and doublebass (20:15 min). Based on Etruscan mythology, this piece is 'Made in Roskilde in Åbne Musik-Værk-Steder' (Open Music-Work-Places at the Museum of Contemporary Art) November 2016. 2020 Version in 6 movements
First performance Dec 2016 in Vendsyssel Art Museum, Hjørrring.
The 6 movement version of 2020 has been recorded 2022 by Kuno Kjærbye & Heiko Maschmann and released on the online album 'Hanne Tofte Jespersen: WORKS FOR STRINGS.
Going to Heaven - for TTBBB (5 min) lyrics: Emily Dickinson - for Linköping Student Singers' Competition Award 2016. 1st performed by this choir in Norrköping (SE) 15 Oct '16. Recorded by them 2017 and released online 2018 (Spotify).
Hvis Landet Kunne Tale 7/ If the Land could talk 7 (25 min) interactive work for 4-5 yr old children, consisting of 6 songs and 4 interludes with storyteller. Scored for choreographed childrens voices, viola, cello, percussion (balophone, bongo cajon, darbuka, doundou, shekere, shells, cymbal).
Commissioned for music and art project in Roskilde District, first performed 7 Oct 2016.
by Anette Slaatto, viola, Caroline Tarras-Wahlberg, cello, Anders Hvidberg-Hansen, perc., Hanne Tofte Jespersen, storyteller and conductor, and children from Stjernen, Blomstergården, Solstrålen, Hyldebo, Svanen and Lærken Kindergartens.
Hvis Landet Kunne Tale 6/ If the Land could talk 6 (25 min) interactive work for 4-5 yr old children, consisting of 6 songs and 4 interludes with storyteller.
Scored for choreographed childrens voices, horn, cello, percussion (balophone, bodhran, bongo cajon, kolomashi, pandeiro, chimes, cymbal).
Commissioned for music and art project in Roskilde District, first performed 21 June 2016.
by Thorbjørn Gram, horn, Caroline Tarras-Wahlberg, cello, Anders Hvidberg-Hansen, perc., Hanne Tofte Jespersen, storyteller and conductor, and children from Spirrevippen, Kastanjen, Mælkebøtten, Bullerby, Dommervænget and Solsikken Kindergartens.
audio: http://www.hvislandetkunnetale.dk/musikken/de-samlede-musikvaerker/
2015
Alfagottens Vals / The Waltz of the Alfagot - for bassoon, cello, marimba, commissioned by Anrijs Ivanovskis, bassoon, for his debut concert from Royal Danish Academy of Music 8 Dec 2015.
The New Dawning - duo for 2 violins (5 min) Rec. 2022 by Øssur Bæk and Kuno Kjærbye and released on online album 'Hanne Tofte Jespersen: Works for strings'
Sweet Peace - for SSAA (5 min 30) lyrics: George Herbert .
Hvis Landet Kunne Tale 5/ If the Land could talk 5 (25 min) interactive work for 4-5 yr old children, consisting of 6 songs and 4 interludes with storyteller.
Scored for childrens voices & movements; soprano-, alto-, tenor- & great bass recorder, bassoon, percussion (balophone, cajon, pandeiro, udu, chimes, cymbal, shaker and tamburito with 2 woodblcks, snare and tom).
Commissioned for music and art project in Roskilde District, first performed 2.10.2015.
by Gertie Johnsson, recorders, Anrijs Ivanovskis, bs, Anders Hvidberg-Hansen, perc., Hanne Tofte Jespersen, storyteller and conductor, and children from Bredgade, Bella Luna, Hobbitten, Hørgården, Peblingevej, Skovmosen and Trehøje Kindergartens.
audio: http://www.hvislandetkunnetale.dk/musikken/de-samlede-musikvaerker/
2014
Hvis Landet Kunne Tale 4/ If the Land could talk 4 (25 min) interactive work for 4-5 yr old children, consisting of 6 songs and 4 interludes with storyteller.
Scored for childrens voices & movements; clarinet in Bb and bass clarinet, bassoon, percussion (balophone, cajon, kolomashi drum, chimes, triangle, cymbal). Commissioned for music and art project in Roskilde District, first performed 28.11.2014
by Anders Gerup, clarinet, Anrijs Ivanovskis, bs, Anders Hvidberg-Hansen, perc., Hanne Tofte Jespersen, storyteller and conductor
and children from Storkereden, Elverhøj, Gundsømagle, Egegaarden, Frejas Have, Jættestuen and Veddelev Kindergartens.
audio: http://www.hvislandetkunnetale.dk/musikken/de-samlede-musikvaerker/
Hvis Landet Kunne Tale 3/ If the Land could talk 3 (24 min 30) interactive work for 4-5 yr old children, consisting of 6 songs and 4 interludes with storyteller.
Scored for childrens voices & movements; bassoon, violoncello, percussion (balophone, pandeiro, ewe drums: kidi, sogo, wind chime, finger cymbal). Commissioned for music and art project in Roskilde District, first performed 3.10.2014
by Anrijs Ivanovskis, bs, Caroline Tarras-Wahlberg, vcl, Anders Hvidberg-Hansen, perc., Hanne Tofte Jespersen, storytellerand conductor and children from Skovly, Arken, Nordstjernen, Firkløveren and Tusindfryd Kindergartens.
audio: http://www.hvislandetkunnetale.dk/musikken/de-samlede-musikvaerker/
Hvis Landet Kunne Tale 2/ If the Land could talk 2 (24 min) interactive work for 4-5 yr old children, consisting of 5 songs and 3 interludes with storyteller.
Scored for childrens voices & movements; soprano-, alto-, tenor- & great bass recorder, violoncello, percussion (balophone, rainmaker, triangel, gourd maracca, ampae, cymbal, udu, bodhran).
Commissioned for music and art project in Roskilde District, first performed 13.6.2014
by Gertie Johnsson, recorders, Caroline Tarras-Wahlberg vcl, Anders Hvidberg-Hansen, perc., Hanne Tofte Jespersen, storyteller
and conductor, and children from Skrænten, Hyrdehøj, Troldhøj, Kongehøjen and Wiemosen Kindergartens.
audio: http://www.hvislandetkunnetale.dk/musikken/de-samlede-musikvaerker/
Hvis Landet Kunne Tale 1/ If the Land could talk 1 (24 min) interactive work for 4-5 yr old children, consisting of 6 songs and 4 interludes with storyteller.
Scored for childrens voices & movements; soprano-, alto-, tenor- & great bass recorder, clarinet in Bb and bass clarinet, percussion (balophone, woodblock, finger cymbal, djembe, kpanlogo-drum).
Commissioned for music and art project in Roskilde District, first performed 10.4.2014
by Gertie Johnsson, recorders, Anders Gerup, clarinet, Anders Hvidberg-Hansen, percussion, Hanne Tofte Jespersen, storyteller
and conductor, and children from Reden, Skademosegård, Vanddråben, Spirebakken and Trekroner Kindergartens.
audio: http://www.hvislandetkunnetale.dk/musikken/de-samlede-musikvaerker/
2013
Farvespillet / The Play of Colours (40 min) - interactive music tale for children, scored for violin, clarinet (A & Bb), bassoon, percussion (marimba, bongos, congas, cymbal, triangle, chime, temple blocks) and storyteller. Commissioned work first performed in DR (Radio Denmark's) Concert House 13.-14.4.2013. Commissioned by Danish Composers Association and DR-Musikariet with composer's fee from The Danish Arts Foundation.
The Return of Dame Heurodis from the Otherworld (8:40) - for bombarde and organ, based on Bretonic magic ballad from around 1300 "Sir Orfew" which is a Celtic version of the myth of Orfeo. Commissioned by the organ-bombarde duo Sven-Ingvart Mikkelsen & Jens Rømer with composer's fee from Hillerød District, first performed at Spil Dansk/"Play Danish" 31 Oct 2013 in Frederiksborg Castle Church.
2012
Twelve days of Christmas / De 12 juledage (5:30) - for brass quintet (2 cornets in Bb, alto horn in Eb, trombone in Bb, euphonium) and unisone choir. An adaptation of trad. Gaelic carol; first performed 16 Dec 2012 by Vor Frues Sangkor and Concord Brass-5tet: Stanley Westh & Mikael Larsen, Bb Cornet; Anne-Katrine Vandel, Eb Horn; Steffen Mærsk, Trombone; Søren Frederiksen, Euphonium.
2011
The Testimony of Melangell / Melangells Vidnesbyrd (64 min) - for 5 singers (SAATB), violin, contrabass, piano, percussion and recital. Manus by Mike Harris (1989). First performed 20.-21.8.2011 during Schubertiade 2011 by Music for the Mysteries' Melangell Ensemble. Commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art with composer's fee from The Danish Arts Foundation. In all 8 performances in 2011. Nominated to The Danish Arts Foundation's award for female composers 2011.
2010
Music for Melangell (30 min) for solo alto, mixed choir, violin, contrabass, piano and percussion.
First performed in Gøtu Kirkja on the Faroe Islands 20.6. and also performed in Vesturkirkjan,Tórshavn 22.6. by Music for the Mysteries and the choir Eystanljoð. It is a first extract of my work on creation of a kind of modern mystery play in which I set "The Testimony of Melangell" by Mike Harris (Wales/UK, b.1947) into music. 6 movements titled 1. The Wild Woman, 2. The Road Back, 3. Arianrhod, 4. A Time Before Fear, 5. The Dreamtime Before Time, 6. The Dancing Stone.
Suite for poems by George Herbert (20 min) in 5 movements for solo mezzo soprano, also and tenor, mixed choir, violin, contrabass and organ.
Commisioned by Vor Frue-Vindinge Congregation Council for organ inauguration in Ny Vor Frue Kirke, first performed 30.5 2010 during two concerts with Brita Sjöberg, organist, soloists Sine Hannibal, Agnethe Christensen, Henrik Rose, Music for the Mysteries' violinist and contrabass player, the choirs Vor Frues Sangkor and Cantemus.
The suite was also performed twice in the Faroe Islands in June. LISTEN to "JOSEPH'S COAT" (3rd mov.) from the concert 20 June 10 in the church of Gøta and to LOVE (1st mov) from 1st performance in Vor Frue.
Julemanden Julle (4 min) - Xmas-medley for rhymes by Halfdan Rasmussen,
for childrens choir, violin, contrabass, piano and percussion.
2008:
Til Jordens held (7 min 30)
lyrics by N.F.S.Grundtvig
for mixed choir, soprano soloist, trumpet, euphonium, acoustic guitar, violoncel, electric bass, piano and percussion
Commissioned by Roskilde Gymnasium. First performed in Roskilde Cathedral 28 Nov 2008
2007:
2 pieces for two singers, violin, double bass, piano, percussion incl. two Ghanaian xylophones:
The Seven Natures (11 min)
to a text from "Book of the Secrets of Enoch" XXX, 11 and a Celtic based ritual-manus by Mike Harris from "Redemption & Externalisation of Arthurian Archetypes", © 2000
first performed Jan.2008 by Ensemble Music for the Mysteries
Vision of Enoch (24 min.) in 4 movements:
1) God speaks to man 2) Dance 3) I speak to you 4) I will speak to you
to an extract of "The Essene Gospel of Peace, Book 2" (scroll text found in the Vatican around1923 by Edmond B. Szekely and translated by him from Aramaic to English).
Commisioned by the Tarot Festival 2007, first performed June 07.
The Seven Natures and Vision of Enoch are part of Music for the Mysteries' concerts.
Eja! Han kom til Jord
lyrics: Latin 14th century, Grundtvig 1837
for soprano, solo4tet, children's choir, audience, flute, fedel, piano and percusion
first performed Dec. 07
Hosianna (5 min)
lyrics: Hanne Tofte Jespersen
for children's choir, soprano saxophone, piano, bass, percussion
composed for
Ny Vor Frue Kirkes 100 years anniversary April 2007
2006:
Da Himmelen rørte Jorden (When Heaven touched Earth, 4:55) lyrics: Hanne Tofte Jespersen
for children's choir, clarinet, piano, double bass and percussion
Rosen i Norden (The Nordic Rose) lyrics: Hanne Tofte Jespersen
for choir, clarinet, double bass
Guds Engle i Flok (God's choir angels) lyrics: N.F.S.Grundtvig
for children's choir and combo (piano, bass, perc)
2005:
2 pieces to lyrics by George Herbert (English poet 1593-1633) for mixed choir, organ, violin, double bass:
Peace
(6 min) commissioned for the visual concert “Buemageren / The Arch Maker”, first performed by Hendriksholms Church Choir, Karin Schmidt Andersen, conductor, Helianne Blais, violin, Andreas Bennetzen, double bass, Erik Hildebrandt Nielsen, organ
initiated by the composer Kuno Kjærbye (3 performances March 05 in Aalholm Church, Jakobskirken and Hørsholm Church;
Christmas
(7 min) First performed by Hendriksholms Kirke's Choir, Karin Schmidt Andersen, conductor, Helianne Blais, violin, Andreas Bennetzen, double bass, Hanne Tofte Jespersen , organ in Ny Vor Frue Kirke and in Hendriksholms Kirke, Rødovre.
Verdenshjulet (The Wheel, 5 min) lyrics: Hanne Tofte Jespersen,
Intermezzo for choir, audience, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, piano, double bass, percussion
2006-version for choir, audience, oboe, clarinet in Bb, bassoon, double bass, organ, piano, percussion, 1st perf Dec '06.
2003-04:
Tre viise mænd og en stjerne/ Three wise men and a star (5:17)
lyrics: Hanne Tofte Jespersen - for children's choir, piano and percussion
(first performed Dec.2003)
Tuscias Enge / The Meadows of Tuscia
for piano, guitar, soprano saxophone
part of Insektudsigten ("Insects' Weather Forecast", 100 performances 2004-16)
Fødselsdagssangen / If you are born on Sunday
arrangement of trad. Ghanaian children's song for Agoro Band, first performed in the tour programme “Let’s Play” in spring 2003 (kindergarden concers org.by Roskilde District and LMS (Live Music in Schools).
2001/02:
The Sevenfold Peace - sacred concert (dur. 1 h) for Essene scroll text (same title)
- incl. adaptations of
The Flower of Magharelly (Irish trad. song)
Oman bi wo ho (Ghana)
the hymns O kommer hid dog til Guds søn, Den Lyse Dag, Sig månen langsomt hæver
the original composition Gensyn a.o.
1993-2001:
Arrangements of Ghanaian traditional music, for Agoro Band a.o.
Music for dance dramas for Agoro Project, Ghana (incl. Ndaama nkaebo/ Message from the Future, 1997)
Scores for free download:
Hvis landet kunne tale / If the Land could talk
- all the scores are available at www.hvislandetkunnetale.dk (a click on each image leads audiofile, score and visual art work. The collected works of the project are found on
http://www.hvislandetkunnetale.dk/musikken/
Rosen i Norden (The Rose in the North)
original version for children's choir, clarinet in Bb and double bass © 2006:
SCORE (pdf) Score w/non transposed cl (pdf). PARTS: clarinet (pdf) double bass (pdf)
Rosen i Norden (The Rose in the North), version for children's choir and double bass © 2012 published in PO-Bladet August 2012 (periodical of Danish Organists Association) p 20-21