Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Denmark

Birth

:

July 28, 1893 in Copenhagen, Denmark

Death

:

July 10, 1952 in Ribe, Denmark

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Symphony

 

 

Vocal

 

Rued Langgaard was a Danish composer born on July 28, 1893, in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the son of Siegfried Langgaard, a pianist and composer, and Emma Foss, a pianist and singer. Langgaard grew up in a musical family and began composing at a young age. He was a prodigious talent and wrote his first symphony at the age of 16. Langgaard's music was heavily influenced by the Romantic era, and he was known for his use of unconventional harmonies and tonalities. He was also influenced by the music of Richard Wagner and Gustav Mahler, and his music often featured grandiose themes and sweeping melodies. Despite his early success as a composer, Langgaard struggled to gain recognition in Denmark. His music was often dismissed by critics as too unconventional and difficult to understand. Langgaard was also known for his eccentric behavior, which further alienated him from the Danish musical establishment. In 1916, Langgaard traveled to Germany to study with the composer Max Reger. While in Germany, he was exposed to the music of Arnold Schoenberg and the Second Viennese School, which had a profound impact on his own music. Langgaard began experimenting with atonality and serialism, and his music became even more unconventional. Langgaard's most famous work is his Symphony No. 1, which he wrote at the age of 16. The symphony is a grandiose work that features sweeping melodies and unconventional harmonies. It was initially rejected by the Danish musical establishment but was eventually performed to critical acclaim in 1968. Langgaard's other notable works include his Symphony No. 6, which he called "The Heaven-Rending," and his opera "Antikrist," which was inspired by the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche. "Antikrist" was initially rejected by the Danish Royal Opera but was eventually performed to critical acclaim in 2002. Despite his lack of recognition in Denmark, Langgaard's music has gained a following in recent years. His unconventional harmonies and tonalities have influenced a new generation of composers, and his music is now recognized as an important contribution to the development of 20th-century classical music. Langgaard died on July 10, 1952, in Ribe, Denmark. He was 58 years old. Today, he is remembered as one of Denmark's most important composers and a pioneer of modern classical music.

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