Danish National Vocal Ensemble

The Danish National Vocal Ensemble is an elite professional chamber choir, acclaimed internationally both for its virtuoso choral technique and the beauty of its transparent Nordic sound. Each of its 18 members functions both as a singer in the full ensemble and as an individual soloist in their own right.

The performances of the Danish National Vocal Ensemble can lead their audiences through the whole span of the choral repertoire – from the Renaissance polyphony of five centuries ago, through the classics of the Romantic era, to the brand new scores of our own time: the choir has premiered and commissioned works by many of the leading Danish and Euro­pean composers of today.

Each season the Danish National Vocal Ensemble presents a series of a cappella concerts in Copenhagen and across Denmark and is frequently invited to perform abroad. In addition, the choir regularly performs accompanied repertoire, joining forces with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. Other collaborations have included performances with the period-instrument Concerto Copenhagen, with contemporary music groups such as The Nash Ensemble and Bang on a Can All-Stars and with ensembles from across Europe.

The Danish National Vocal Ensemble has released a substantial catalogue of outstanding and award-winning CDs. In 2015 their recording of Olivier Messiaen’s virtuosic Cinq Rechants, won the Diapason d’Or de l’Année and the Danish Radio P2 Prize, and in 2012 The Nightingale – recor­ded with Danish recorder virtuoso Michala Petri – won the prestigious German ECHO award.

Other highly-praised releases include recordings of music by Bent Sørensen, Carl Nielsen, Francis Poulenc. In November 2018, Årstiderne – a collection of traditional Danish Songs – was commended by Classics Today (USA) as ‘exemplary choral singing’.