After almost a year and a half with a near total absence of live concerts, many cities around the world are gradually opening up again.
We were deeply moved by the warm reception that greeted us on the few occasions when we were allowed to perform during this dark and stressful time, and now, that the clouds have begun to clear, we look forward to late summer and autumn with concerts, recordings and new releases. 

Just recently, in June, we released on CD, vinyl and all digital platforms a very special album for all fans of guitar music - and even MORE special to Danes: Ta´ mig med – Kim Larsen songs for classical guitar. Songs by iconic Danish troubadour and rock musician Kim Larsen, arranged and played by Danish guitarist Jesper Sivebæk. A Video Teaser for the album had more than 18,000 views on Facebook, prior to it being suddenly removed without explanation. We include this video in our links below – please feel free to share it on YOUR social media! The album has already received wide critical acclaim, including a 5 star review in US Magazine Fanfare with this quote from reviewer Colin Clarke: “one of the best guitar recordings to have ever come my way, the entire disc is captivating”
Below you can watch other videos with Jesper playing the songs Masser af Succes (Lots of Succes) and Kvinde min (Lady oh lady)

An Eye – and an Ear - to the Future

We are proud to announce that OUR Recordings’ next album will be with iconic Danish organ virtuoso Jens E. Christensen, who will be celebrating his 75th birthday on August 15. The Roots & the Flower – Counterpoint in Bloom features Robert Schumann’s Bach-inspired canons and fugues opus 56 and 60. For the past 31 years Maestro Christensen has been organist and Director of Music at the historic Vor Frelsers Kirke in Copenhagen and on his Birthday August 15 he will perform his farewell concert here, including music from The Roots & the Flower – Counterpoint in Bloom. The album is released on this day, with the international release following in September 2021. 

Early September will also feature the completion of a new album of choral works by György Ligeti and Zoltán Kodály. This recording was originally scheduled to have been released in autumn 2020, but of course, was postponed, and no less than three times! Now we cross our fingers that we can finish this wonderful recording with Danish National Vocal Ensemble conducted by Marcus Creed. 
György Ligeti (1923-2006): Mátraszentimrei dalok, Éjszaka; Reggel, Lux æterna and Drei Phantasien 
Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967): Este, Esti Dal and Mátrai képek 

The Danish release is scheduled for November 12th at a concert in Trinitatis Church in Copenhagen, with the international release scheduled for January 2022

While we are waiting for this, you can enjoy the multi-award winning Danish National Vocal Ensemble conducted by Carsten Seyer-Hansen in a live performance from Danish National TV of the masterpiece The Nightingale (2 German ECHO Awards and twice American Grammy nominated) by Latvian composer Ugis Praulins with Michala Petri and Danish actress Ghita Nørby, reading the whole Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen.

DR2 Classic: Season 2021 – The Nightingale | Watch on DRTV

Another birthday: Lars Hannibal – 70 years! 

On July 15 Lars Hannibal will celebrate his 70th Birthday! 
Last year OUR Recordings released on cd, vinyl and all platforms the album BLUE featuring an entire program of Lars Hannibal´s own compositions and arrangements, on the occasion of his 50. Anniversary as a “Servant of Music.” In the video below Hannibal talks about his musical life journey and how BLUE came into it:
 

From OUR Back Catalogue:
 

For now five decades Michala has dedicated herself to establishing the recorder as a modern concert instrument, commissioning many of the finest composers from around the world to write new and challenging concertos for her with modern orchestra. Many of the recorder concertos we recorded in the series Recorder Concertos from different countries. We hope you enjoy two masterworks, Tang Jianping’s Fei Ge, and Roberto Sierra’s sultry, rhythmic Prelude, Habanera and Perpetual Motion.
1: World EXPO Shanghai 2010: Michala Petri Fei Ge (Flying Song) by Tang Jianping Part II, with Shanghai Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Giordano Bellincampi.

2: Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen: Michala on her 60th birthday celebration on July 1, 2018 with Tivoli Copenhagen Phil conducted by Alexander Shelley plays Roberto Sierra's Prelude, Habanera and Perpetual Motion.

OUR Recordings wish all our friends a lovely summer!
Stay tuned as we gather up all the news for our August Newsletter.
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