Michael Schønwandt
Encyclopedia
Michael Schønwandt is a Danish
conductor
. In Denmark, he studied piano, theory, and composition, and later continued musical studies at the Royal Academy of Music
in London.
In 1979, Schønwandt secured a post as 'permanent conductor' by the Royal Opera in Copenhagen. Schønwandt is Music Director of the Royal Danish Orchestra
and the Royal Opera in Copenhagen since 2000. His work in contemporary opera has included conducting the world premiere productions of Poul Ruders
' operas The Handmaid’s Tale
and Dancer in the Dark.
Schønwandt was principal guest conductor of the Théâtre National de La Monnaie
from 1984 to 1987, and held the same post with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra
from 1987 to 2000. Schønwandt has also served as chief conductor of the Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester from 1992 to 1998. In May 2009, Schønwandt was named principal conductor of the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic and formally took up the post in August 2010.
Schønwandt's recordings include the symphonies and concerti of Carl Nielsen
. In addition, he has made several opera recordings, such as Salome
and The Handmaid’s Tale
.
In 2005, Schønwandt was made a Knight 1st Class (Ridder af 1. grad) of the Order of the Dannebrog
.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. In Denmark, he studied piano, theory, and composition, and later continued musical studies at the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
in London.
In 1979, Schønwandt secured a post as 'permanent conductor' by the Royal Opera in Copenhagen. Schønwandt is Music Director of the Royal Danish Orchestra
Royal Danish Orchestra
The Royal Danish Orchestra is a Danish orchestra based in Copenhagen. The Danish name for the orchestra indicates its original function as an ensemble geared to supplying the music for court events...
and the Royal Opera in Copenhagen since 2000. His work in contemporary opera has included conducting the world premiere productions of Poul Ruders
Poul Ruders
Poul Ruders is a Danish composer.Ruders trained as an organist, and studied orchestration with Karl Aage Rasmussen. Ruders's first compositions date from the mid-1960s...
' operas The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid's Tale (opera)
The Handmaid's Tale is an opera composed by the Danish composer Poul Ruders, to a libretto by Paul Bentley based on the novel of the same name written by Canadian author Margaret Atwood.-Synopsis:...
and Dancer in the Dark.
Schønwandt was principal guest conductor of the Théâtre National de La Monnaie
La Monnaie
Le Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie , or the Koninklijke Muntschouwburg is a theatre in Brussels, Belgium....
from 1984 to 1987, and held the same post with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
The Danish National Symphony Orchestra , is a Danish orchestra based in Copenhagen. The DNSO is the principal orchestra of DR...
from 1987 to 2000. Schønwandt has also served as chief conductor of the Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester from 1992 to 1998. In May 2009, Schønwandt was named principal conductor of the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic and formally took up the post in August 2010.
Schønwandt's recordings include the symphonies and concerti of Carl Nielsen
Carl Nielsen
Carl August Nielsen , , widely recognised as Denmark's greatest composer, was also a conductor and a violinist. Brought up by poor but musically talented parents on the island of Funen, he demonstrated his musical abilities at an early age...
. In addition, he has made several opera recordings, such as Salome
Salome (opera)
Salome is an opera in one act by Richard Strauss to a German libretto by the composer, based on Hedwig Lachmann’s German translation of the French play Salomé by Oscar Wilde. Strauss dedicated the opera to his friend Sir Edgar Speyer....
and The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid's Tale (opera)
The Handmaid's Tale is an opera composed by the Danish composer Poul Ruders, to a libretto by Paul Bentley based on the novel of the same name written by Canadian author Margaret Atwood.-Synopsis:...
.
In 2005, Schønwandt was made a Knight 1st Class (Ridder af 1. grad) of the Order of the Dannebrog
Order of the Dannebrog
The Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
.