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A Danish Christmas




Total playing time: 01:17:34

Ł6.99
Ł4.99 (CD)


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A Danish Christmas


Just spin the universe right round,


just turn everything upside down,


the earth as well - for it is false and hollow -


but do not touch my Christmastide...



Thus the secular poet of Danish Christmas, Peter Faber (1810-77) celebrates Christmas in 1850 in the carol Sikken voldsom trcengsel og alarm (What a great throng and noise): a vivid and moving picture of provincial Copenhagen at the time. Faber, a director of a telegraph company by day, makes reference to traditions and old values. Together, these shape the celebration of an 'average' Danish Christmas, which he would not change for all the world. Yet many of these 'traditions' were recent innovations, often borrowed from Sweden and Germany, quickly adopted as their own and given their own Danish colour. The Christmas tree, a recent introduction from Denmark's neighbour to the south, that was slow to gain a secure place in Danish homes, was often decorated with strings of little Danish flags, red and white Christmas elves and dozens of candles. In fact in Scandinavia Christmas is a festival of light. Since ancient times, when Christmas was a pagan feast linked to midwinter in January, the Scandinavians have, in contrast to the Anglo-Saxons and southern Europeans, celebrated on Christmas Eve with a lavish family meal of rice pudding and beer, followed by roast pork, roast duck or stuffed goose, caramelised potatoes, red cabbage, jelly and other good things. After the meal, but before the guests leave the table, the candles on the tree are lit, the assembled company join hands and dance around the tree. But the dancing would be unthinkable without carols. In another of Faber's popular and atmospheric portrayals of the middle-class home:


From the top of the green tree comes the call


Look little child, all is well,


you know how to march,


let little Sine


have her Christmas gift.



The words demand that the song is sung whilst marching around the tree, awakening the impatience of the youngest children for material goods, the presents, which are undeniably central to a modern Christmas.


Yet it is at this time that most Danes come into contact with what are, for many, undoubtedly the most treasured carols. Of course one can go to church on Christmas Eve and sing there, but on the one hand church-going is not that prevalent amongst today's somewhat religiously ambivalent Danes, and on the other you cannot choose what is sung in church.

You can at home, and Danish families have personal favourites, often in a specific order, from which they rarely deviate. Most often the religious carols come first, and among these we find the great Danish hymnists.


First and foremost N. F. S. Grundtvig (1783-1872) with the well-known Del kimer nu til Julefest (Bells ring out for the Christmas Feast), Velkommen igen Guds engle smĺ ('Welcome again, God's little angels'), Et barn er fřdt i Betlehem ('A child is born in Bethlehem'). Vcer velkommen Herrens ĺr ('We welcome our Lord's new year') is almost an official proclamation of the new church year. Blomstre som en rosengĺrd ('Blossom shall the wilderness') is one of Grundtvig's most important texts, set to J. P. E.

Hartmann's (1805-1900) congenial, but much later melody. It has been called the song of unreasonable hope, in which Isaiah foretells the coming of the Lord, when all good things will come to pass:


Let no limb falter,


let not one hand fall,


let every tree sprout forth


and every wrinkle be smoothed,


let fallen courage rise up,


let blood flow free


and fear and sorrow disappear!



H. A. Brorson (1694-1764) was a great poet of the pietist movement with strong verse that described the relationship between Jesus and man in elaborate and sometimes erotic terms. Her kommer Jesus dine smĺ ('Here come your little ones, Jesus') or Den yndigste rose er funden ('The fairest rose is found'), in which the poet likens our Saviour to a rose that God allowed to bloom, never to be lost again.


Hans Christian Andersen (1805-75) also contributed with Barn Jesus i en krybbe lĺ (The Jesus child lay in a manger), in which the celebrated author perhaps does not make full use of his talent, yet he offers an honest portrayal of the pious, simple faith of a child.


Finally mention should be made of B. S. Ingemann (1789-1862), who despite being somewhat overshadowed by Grundtvig, is, in the minds of many, the Christmas poet, with carols such as Dejlig er jorden ('How fair is the earth'), Glade jul ('Merry Christmas', to the tune of Gruber's Stille Nacht), and his masterpiece Julen har bragt velsignet bud ('Christmas has brought a blessed message') with a melody by C. E. F. Weyse (1774-1842), Ingemann's favoured composer. At its heart the intense verse portrays a child dancing on its mother's lap. The child relates the good news about our Saviour, who, like us was once a child. The adult is brought down to a baby's level - and this in an age when children were widely regarded as simply incomplete adults. The poet promises that the Garden of Eden awaits and that death is therefore not so terrible. Christmas Eve is like paradise that awaits us, when things look darkest. A simple and pious idea that Ingemann returned to in the last poem he wrote before his death, in which the doors are opened to reveal the Christmas tree with its lights (we take it as read that there will be singing), a sign of eternity.


And the doors are finally flung wide


and they know, that the Christ child


has brought his Christmas gift.


And they see - what they believed -


there stands the garden of the Christmas tree.



Ingemann, and much that came after him, have proved to be unpalatable to certain more dogmatic theologians. The Danes and Ingemann have strayed far from the traditional Christmas message. The Danish Christmas is now 'nice' and 'comfortable' and somewhat food-obsessed, according to one high-ranking member of the Danish church.


Despite this Ingemann is here to stay. For the sake of completeness it should be stated that when the Danes dance around the tree, more than a few have to resort to song sheets with the most popular carols, which can either be bought at the local bookshop or which often come free with packs of Christmas lights. Unlike the children of Faber's day, few have the verses drilled into them at school and remember them when they grow up.


But they do sing.


English version: Andrew Smith



A Danish Christmas



Disc 1


    Blomstre som en rosengard (Like a rose garden) (more info)
    Composed by: Johann Peter Emilius Hartmann
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  1. Blomstre som en rosengard (Like a rose garden) - 02:41


  2. Julen har bragt velsignet bud (Christmas has brought a blessed message) (more info)
    Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  3. Julen har bragt velsignet bud (Christmas has brought a blessed message) - 02:32


  4. Julebudet til dem, der bygge (The Christmas message) (more info)
    Composed by: Johann Peter Emilius Hartmann
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  5. Julebudet til dem, der bygge (The Christmas message) - 02:37


  6. I sne star urt og busk i skjul (The bushes are hidden in snow) (more info)
    Composed by: Johann Peter Emilius Hartmann
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  7. I sne star urt og busk i skjul (The bushes are hidden in snow) - 01:20


  8. Kimer, I klokker (Ring out, ye bells) (more info)
    Composed by: Henrik Rung
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  9. Kimer, I klokker (Ring out, ye bells) - 02:17


  10. Der er ingenting i verden sa stille som sne (Nothing in the world is as quiet as snow) (more info)
    Composed by: Povl Hamburger
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  11. Der er ingenting i verden sa stille som sne (Nothing in the world is as quiet as snow) - 02:01


  12. Det kimer nu til julefest (Bells ring out for the Christmas feast) (more info)
    Composed by: C. Balle
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  13. Det kimer nu til julefest (Bells ring out for the Christmas feast) - 02:42


  14. Gammel julesang (Old Christmas Song) (more info)
    Composed by: Peter Erasmus Lange-Muller
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Anne Mette Balling, soprano
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  15. Gammel julesang (Old Christmas Song) - 02:55


  16. Velkommen igen, Guds engle sma (Welcome again, God's little angels) (more info)
    Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  17. Velkommen igen, Guds engle sma (Welcome again, God's little angels) - 02:26


  18. Barn Jesus i en krybbe la (The Jesus Child lay in a manger) (more info)
    Composed by: Niels Wilhelm Gade
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  19. Barn Jesus i en krybbe la (The Jesus Child lay in a manger) - 01:39


  20. Her kommer, Jesus dine sma (Here come your little ones, Jesus) (more info)
    Composed by: Johann Abraham Peter Schulz
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  21. Her kommer, Jesus dine sma (Here come your little ones, Jesus) - 02:08


  22. Mit hjerte altid vanker (My heart always wanders) (more info)
    Composed by: Carl Nielsen
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  23. Mit hjerte altid vanker (My heart always wanders) - 03:18


  24. Lovet vaere du, Jesus Krist (Praise be to you, Jesus Christ) (more info)
    Composed by: Traditional
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Anne Mette Balling, soprano
    Inge-Lise Nygaard, soprano
    Sine Bundgaard, soprano
    Malene Nordtorp, soprano
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  25. Lovet vaere du, Jesus Krist (Praise be to you, Jesus Christ) - 03:45


  26. Vor Jesus kan ej noget herberg finde (Our Jesus can find no lodging) (more info)
    Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  27. Vor Jesus kan ej noget herberg finde (Our Jesus can find no lodging) - 03:06


  28. Nu vil vi sjunge og vaere glad (Now shall we sing and be glad) (more info)
    Composed by: Thomas Laub
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  29. Nu vil vi sjunge og vaere glad (Now shall we sing and be glad) - 01:59


  30. Dejlig er den himmel bla (How beautiful is the blue sky) (more info)
    Composed by: Jacob Gerhard Meidell
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  31. Dejlig er den himmel bla (How beautiful is the blue sky) - 03:02


  32. Et lidet barn er lysteligt (A little child so delightful) (more info)
    Composed by: C. Balle
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  33. Et lidet barn er lysteligt (A little child so delightful) - 02:10


  34. I denne sode juletid (At this sweet Christmas time) (more info)
    Composed by: Bo Holten
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  35. I denne sode juletid (At this sweet Christmas time) - 03:15


  36. Sneflokke kommer vrimlende (Snow-flakes come streaming) (more info)
    Composed by: Thorvald Aagaard
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  37. Sneflokke kommer vrimlende (Snow-flakes come streaming) - 00:51


  38. Nu kom der bud fra englekor (Now comes a message from the angel choir) (more info)
    Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  39. Nu kom der bud fra englekor (Now comes a message from the angel choir) - 02:14


  40. Skyerne grane (The clouds turn grey) (more info)
    Composed by: Thora Borch
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Inge-Lise Nygaard, soprano
    Malene Nordtorp, soprano
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  41. Skyerne grane (The clouds turn grey) - 03:17


  42. Lad det klinge sodt i sky (Let the clouds sweetly resound) (more info)
    Composed by: Anonymous
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  43. Lad det klinge sodt i sky (Let the clouds sweetly resound) - 02:37


  44. Der er noget i luften (There is something in the air) (more info)
    Composed by: Vilhelm Gregersen
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  45. Der er noget i luften (There is something in the air) - 03:22


  46. Velkommen igen, Guds engle sma (Welcome again, God's little angels) (more info)
    Composed by: Andreas Peter Berggreen
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  47. Velkommen igen, Guds engle sma (Welcome again, God's little angels) - 02:26


  48. Imellem nattens stjerner (Among the stars of night) (more info)
    Composed by: Povl Hamburger
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  49. Imellem nattens stjerner (Among the stars of night) - 02:17


  50. Nu ville vi os samle (Now let us gather) (more info)
    Composed by: Hardenack Otto Conrad Zinck
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  51. Nu ville vi os samle (Now let us gather) - 02:48


  52. Det er hvidt herude (It is white out here) (more info)
    Composed by: Thomas Laub
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  53. Det er hvidt herude (It is white out here) - 02:24


  54. Spurven sidder stumt bag kvist (The sparrow sits silently in the eaves) (more info)
    Composed by: Thorvald Aagaard
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Sine Bungaard, soprano
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  55. Spurven sidder stumt bag kvist (The sparrow sits silently in the eaves) - 02:14


  56. Juletraeet med sin pynt (The Christmas tree with its decorations) (more info)
    Composed by: Egil Harder
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  57. Juletraeet med sin pynt (The Christmas tree with its decorations) - 01:34


  58. Sikken voldsom traengsel - Nu er det jul igen (What a great throng and noise - Now it is Christmas…) (more info)
    Composed by: Traditional Peter Faber
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  59. Sikken voldsom traengsel - Nu er det jul igen (What a great throng and noise - Now it is Christmas…) - 02:19


  60. Vaer velkommen, Herrens ar (We welcome our Lord's new year) (more info)
    Composed by: Andreas Peter Berggreen
    Conducted by: Bo Holten
    Recording date: September 1996, September and November 1997
    Produced by: Jorgensen, Jesper

  61. Vaer velkommen, Herrens ar (We welcome our Lord's new year) - 02:05

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