Hanne Tofte Jespersen
Singer, pianist, organist. Composer
Member of DJBFA
My main instruments are my voice and the piano.
I compose for and perform with musicians within both classical and contemporary music.
I am dedicated to make the invisible world audible.
CURRENT WORKS AND PROJECTS
In May 2011 I completed THE TESTIMONY OF MELANGELL in which I have set the tale of a Celtic/ early Christian female saint and mystic to music. Melangell is Welsh. Her name means "Honey Angel", and she is associated with a sacred valley in Northern Wales. The total duration is1 hour. The Danish Arts foundation granted composer's fee in spring '11. In Oct 10 I had received a grant from Djfba for its completion.
The script is by Welsh writer Mike Harris who wrote it in 1989. It is a kind of "the-way-of-all-women" story.
LISTEN.. VIDEO
A first extract titled "Music for Melangell" (30 min) was first performed during Music for the Mysteries' tour on the Faroe Islands in June 2010 as part of the Faroese festival for contemporary music, Summartónar.
In spring 2010 I received an artist's grant from Nordic Culture Point for a visit to The Faroe Islands. As a composer and conductor I took part in rehearsals with the Faroese choir singers who were to take part in the first performance of "Music for Melangell".
In spring 2010 I have also written a commissioned piece for solo mezzo soprano, alto and tenor,
mixed choir, violin, contrabass and organ for 5 poems by George Herbert (1593-1633).
"Suite for poems by George Herbert" (20 min) was first performed 30.5.2010
during inauguration of the new organ in Ny Vor Frue Kirke
with Sine Tofte Hannibal, mezzo, Agnethe Christensen, alto, Henrik Rose, tenor,
Kuno Kjærbye, violin, Ida Bach Jensen, kontrabass, Brita Sjöberg, organ,
and 2 local choirs: Vor Frues Sangkor and Cantemus.
LISTEN here 1.LOVE; 2. REDEMPTION; 4. THE DAWNING; 5. HEAVEN.
The piece was also performed during the tour to The Faroe Islands in June.
LISTEN TO 3. JOSEPH'S COAT from the concert in Gøta Church 20.6.2010
with Petur Martin Johannesen, organ, Agnethe Christensen. alto and Ida Bach Jensen, kontrabass.
My collaboration with Mike Harris was initiated in 07. I was on a 3 weeks composing retreat in Snowdonia (Northern Wales). In 09 it has been extended to also include the visual artist Alison Michell (born in UK, resident in DK). We are now working together on the project of creating a performance production based on Mike Harris' script.
OTHER CURRENT PERFORMANCES
I have set a series of Halfdan Rasmussen children's rhymes in music
which I perform for children in kindergardens and nursery schools together with
Anders Hvidberg-Hansen, percussion, and Katrine Suwalski on tenor saxophone.
I also work in a trio as a singer and storyteller in concerts for children with Insektudsigten - that is " Weather forecast for insects" (!) which in 2004-07 has had 90 performances for children from 3-10 years.
I have written the story in which a swarm of honey bees plays a major role.
