Reviews

Index

Title	Time	Grade
A deeply serious All Saints concert	Nov. 2021
Classical Music	Jan. 2021
Christmas in Danish with royal stardust	Dec. 2019
Beautiful and moving Christmas concert	Dec. 2018
Two hearts and 1,250,000 kilos of snow	Aug. 2017
Archetypal Danish anniversary concert in the Diamond	Jun. 2017
Christmas concert saw surplus and fellowship	Dec. 2016
Raising the roof of the Opera House	Oct. 2016
Verdi's Requiem - breathtakingly beautiful concert	Oct. 2016
Christian music behind the Iron Curtain	Mar. 2016
The Elixir of Love	Aug. 2015
The little Tear	Aug. 2015
Sometimes happiness is a forgettable opera	Aug. 2015
A Tivoli celebration in the spirit of the place	Aug. 2015
Rich Christmas concert	Dec. 2014
Review	Nov. 2014	(no grade spec.)
Borg 15 Songs. Landscape	Nov. 2014	(no grade spec.)
It was Danish and good	Apr. 2014	(no grade spec.)
Signe and Peter's Christmas in the Church of Holmen	Dec. 2013
Farinelli	Aug. 2013
The icing on the cake	Dec. 2012
Generous concert	Dec. 2011
A High Point	Jul. 2010
Lille MUKO: 'The Grass Becomes Green'	Jul. 2010
Peace to the War	Jul. 2008
For whom did the bells toll?	Apr. 2006
Craft commitment	Dec. 2004	(no grade spec.)

A deeply serious All Saints concert

Excerpt from a review of the concert "The Notes of Death" on the Royal Theatre's Old Stage.



The Royal Theatre's Old Stage formed a beautiful setting for three tragic and gripping works

[...]
After the break, the University Choir Lille MUKO took place in front of the theater's backdrop. Now it was time for Gabriel Fauré's seven-movement Requiem, opus 48, one of the most beautiful choral works from the end of the 19th century. He himself had declared that his work was not written for anyone - "only for joy, if I may say so".
It was beautifully performed by the choir and the two vocal soloists, the baritone Aleksander Nohr and the soprano Sofie Elkjær Jensen [...]

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 3rd November 2021
Translated from Danish

Classical Music

Excerpt from a review of the choir's "The red roses" CD from 2019.



Danish choral music with Lille MUKO

[...] and the release is generally broad-spectrum both musically and literary - and it really manages to present a fine selection of varied songs rooted in Danish tradition, while avoiding the most downtrodden paths.
[...]

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 18th January 2021
Translated from Danish

Christmas in Danish with royal stardust

Excerpt from a review of the choir's "Christmas in Danish" concerts with Sofie Elkjær Jensen and Magnus Vigilius in the Church of Holmen 14th December 2019.



The University Choir Lille MUKO's Christmas concert in Copenhagen drew a full house

Tradition and renewal - in that order - is the concept for the University Choir Lille MUKO's annual Christmas concert at the Church of Holmen in Copenhagen, which also this year gathered a full house in Christian the Fourth's old building in the heart of Copenhagen.
[...]

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 17th December 2019
Translated from Danish

Beautiful and moving Christmas concert

Excerpt from a review of the choir's "Christmas in Danish" concerts with Signe Asmussen and Peter Lodahl in the Church of Holmen 15th December 2018.



Lille MUKO's Christmas concert in Holmen's Church was beautiful and moving

[...]
In the core Danish repertoire, apart from the excellent choir, a number of first-class soloists could be experienced, such as the flutists Eva Østergaard and Nikolaj von Scholten as well as the harpist Tine Rehling.
[...]
The Christmas concert in 2018 was also moving in that it was the last of the kind, that the charismatic conductor of the choir for more than 30 years, Jesper Grove Jørgensen, was to head. It became a moving, indeed, tearful moment as he led the many singers and musicians through the closing hymn: "Lovely is the Earth". In addition, the versatile and spiritual choir leader had himself assembled and arranged the potpourri of Danish Christmas hymns that started the concert, and had done so with an unmistakable impeccable sense of style.
[...]

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 18th December 2018
Translated from Danish

Two hearts and 1,250,000 kilos of snow

Excerpt from a review of the performance of Puccini's opera La Bohème at Opera Hedeland on the 11th August, where the choir participated along with among others Adam Frandsen, Hamida Kristoffersen, Collegium Musicum, Roskilde Domkirkes Boys Choir and Roskilde Garden.



"La bohème" in the outdoor Opera Hedeland melts hearts on a bed of winter weather.

[...]
Choir, orchestra and every one of the smaller roles each has a stellar moment that makes the performance worth it in itself.
[...]

Søren Schauser, Berlingske, 12th August 2017
Translated from Danish

Archetypal Danish anniversary concert in the Diamond

Excerpt from a review of the choir's anniversary concert in The Royal Library the 16th June 2017.



Little MUKO celebrated it's first 50 years with widely relatable choir singing

[...]
There was undeniably much to celebrate at the anniversary in the Black Diamond on Friday.
The generous program was a reflection of the choir's work since its founding, but also pointed forward, and it even contained a premiere. The 56 year old Faroese composer Sunleif Rasmussen, whose mighty 2nd symphony was reviewed in this paper's November issue last year, contributed two newly composed pieces from an upcoming major work on the seven days of creation. We heard the second and third day and sensed the transcendental strength of the music, emphasized by three competent instrumentalists: Michala Petri on recorder, violist Magda Stevensson and cellist Mihai Fagarasan.
[...]

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 20th June 2017
Translated from Danish

Christmas concert saw surplus and fellowship

Excerpt from a review of the choir's "Christmas in Danish" concerts with Signe Asmussen and Peter Lodahl in the Church of Holmen 17th December 2016.



Lille MUKO's Christmas concert was traditional in the moving way, where lyrics and music came together in a higher union

[...]
When it succeeds so well for the well-established choir, that in 2017 celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is because, the choir has the musical muscles to make the concert one of the Christmas time highlights for its faithful audience.
[...]
One will, of course, like to be moved at a Christmas concert. And this happens invariably, when lyrics and music come together in a higher union like that.

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 21st December 2016
Translated from Danish

Raising the roof of the Opera House

Excerpt from a review of the performance of Verdi's Requiem in The Copenhagen Opera House on the 30th September, where the choir participated along with The Royal Chapel, The Royal Opera Choir, The Chamber Choir Hymnia and The Chamber Choir Camerata.



[...]
The combined choirs were in a class of their own. For this special occasion an entire four choirs had been brought together. Other than The Royal Opera Choir, three of Denmark's best amateur choirs rose to the challenge: The Chamber Choir Camerata, The Chamber Choir Hymnia and The University Choir Lille MUKO. Although the 130 singers were placed at the back of the stage, the choirs were tremendously powerful during the central parts of the work, yes, during the Dies Irae passages, where the orchestra is also thunderously violent in the projection of the "Day of Wrath", it was as if the roof of Henning Larsen's almost 12 year old Opera House was being raised. [...]

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 4th October 2016
Translated from Danish

Verdi's Requiem - breathtakingly beautiful concert

Excerpt from a review of the performance of Verdi's Requiem in The Copenhagen Opera House on the 30th September, where the choir participated along with The Royal Chapel, The Royal Opera Choir, The Chamber Choir Hymnia and The Chamber Choir Camerata.



[...]
At this concert The Royal Theatre had an interesting collaboration with three professionally working amateur choirs from the Danish amateur music scene - The Chamber Choir CAMERATA, The Chamber Choir Hymnia and The University Choir Lille MUKO. The Royal Opera Choir together with the three incredibly seriously working amateur choirs masterfully conveyed a dramatic Verdi with 130 voices.

Take note of future collaborations between these supreme amateur choirs and the Royal choir. It's magnificent art and world class sound.
[...]

Lars Vestergaard, Out & About Online, 1st October 2016
Translated from Danish

Christian music behind the Iron Curtain

Excerpt from a review of the choir's "Music behind the Iron Curtain" concert in Hans Egede's Church on the 17th March 2016.



[...]
It is a bold project, the renowned amateur choir led by its inspirational conductor, Jesper Grove Jørgensen, here have taken on, and it's well done, that they not only satisfy the audience's curiosity to experience a legendary and very different composition, but also manage to make them enjoy both Schnittke and the two short Górecki-pieces - without being able to understand Russian or Latin. [...]

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 20th March 2016
Translated from Danish

The Elixir of Love

Excerpt from a review of the concert performance of the opera The Elixir of Love in Tivoli 15th August 2015, where the choir participated along with Tivoli's Symphony Orchestra.



[...]
Conductor Yves Abel really got Tivoli's Symphony Orchestra to indulge in Donizetti's immortal music, and the University Choir Lille MUKO also provided an exquisite effort. The Elixir of Love had an enchanting effect on the audience, and this late summer evening it was the pure elixir of life.

CPHCulture, 16th August 2015
Translated from Danish

The little Tear

Excerpt from a review of the concert performance of the opera The Elixir of Love in Tivoli 15th August 2015, where the choir participated along with Tivoli's Symphony Orchestra.



Donizetti's 'The Elixir of Love' in Tivoli with sweet clowning and - bang! it says: Tenor Brownlee in top form!!

[...]
Also impressive that Tivoli sticks to these large-scale concert performances of operas each year. Choir, orchestra and soloists. Well done.

Gregers Dirckinck-Holmfeld, GREGERSDH, 15th August 2015
Translated from Danish

Sometimes happiness is a forgettable opera

Excerpt from a review of the concert performance of the opera The Elixir of Love in Tivoli 15th August 2015, where the choir participated along with Tivoli's Symphony Orchestra.



Tivoli celebrated itself with ironic distance and a hell of a party.

Very few get away with keeping an ironic distance to their own birthday and still throw a hell of a party.

Nevertheless, this is Tivoli's recipe for their annual celebration in August - and they succeeded once again on Saturday with "tongue in cheek"-playing Italian opera for a few hours and still bringing something very beautiful and entertaining forward.
[...]

Henrik Friis, Politiken, 17th August 2015
Translated from Danish

A Tivoli celebration in the spirit of the place

Excerpt from a review of the concert performance of the opera The Elixir of Love in Tivoli 15th August 2015, where the choir participated along with Tivoli's Symphony Orchestra.



"The Elixir of Love" with great vocals was the season's big bet

[...]
Under the direction of the French-Canadian conductor Yves Abel, Tivoli's Symphony Orchestra played so convincingly, that one would think they play bel canto operas every day. The University Choir Lille MUKO had also been prescribed to join in the fun and delivered an excellent performance.
[...]

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 18th August 2015
Translated from Danish

Rich Christmas concert

Excerpt from a review of the choir's "Christmas in Danish" concerts with Signe Asmussen and Thomas Peter Koppel in the Church of Holmen 20th December 2014.



Once again the University Choir Lille MUKO created tinkling Christmas joy.

[...]
Lille MUKO's concerts are indeed very abundant. This year's Christmas concerts consisted of 27 pieces in the form of more or less well-known hymns, songs and pure instrumental music.
[...]
Both of Saturday's concerts were not surprisingly sold out, but for the many who didn't get a ticket, I would like to draw attention to the excellent new CD, also titled Christmas in Danish, recorded January 2014 in the Church of Holmen with the same participants - although with Peter Lodahl as tenor.

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 23rd December 2014
Translated from Danish

Signe and Peter's Christmas in the Church of Holmen

Excerpt from a review of the choir's "Christmas in Danish" concerts with Signe Asmussen and Peter Lodahl in the Church of Holmen 14th December 2013.



When a Christmas concert evolves into a spiritual community.

[...]
But most Danish of all is and remains the Christmas spirit that was nostalgic in a joyous way during all 90 minutes. Both of Saturday's concerts had gathered a full house, which is not surprising in view of the high musical level, that is offered year after year.
[...]
It would border on sacrilege to award less than five stars for a concert, you can easily hallucinate yourself to have been a part of. A substantial concert that along the way evolved into a spiritual community: We all share this holiday despite all the trivialities in the public domain outside the church walls.
This is at least how I sensed many grateful listeners felt, when they left Christian IV's old church in the heart of Copenhagen.

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 18th December 2013
Translated from Danish

Farinelli

Excerpt from a review of the concert performance of the operetta Farinelli in Tivoli 2nd August 2013, where the choir participated along with Tivoli's Symphony Orchestra.



[...]
Both the University Choir Lille MUKO and Tivoli's Symphony Orchestra was in an excellent mood despite the high temperatures, which should be attributed to the young conductor Jesper Nordin. The soloists, led by a lyrical Adam Frandsen, also seemed to have fun, which rubbed off on the audience. The standing ovation was followed by so many "bravo"-cries, that it made you believe in the possibility of a performance of the operetta in its entirety in the coming years.

CPHCulture, 4th August 2013
Translated from Danish

The icing on the cake

Excerpt from a review of the choir's "Christmas in Danish" concerts with Signe Asmussen in the Church of Holmen 15th December 2012.



Five large Christmas stars for Lille MUKO and their talented conductor, Jesper Grove Jørgensen.

For many Copenhagen families it is only really Christmas, after they've been in the Church of Holmen and heard the University Choir Lille MUKO sing the yuletide in. "Christmas in Danish" was the name of the concert, which on Saturday was sung twice to fully occupied pews.
[...]
"Turn the universe completely around, and turn all things upside down," wrote Peter Faber in the historic year of 1848, but "touch not my beloved Christmas". Touch not Lille MUKO's annual Christmas concert in the Church of Holmen either, thank you!

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 19th December 2012
Translated from Danish

Generous concert

Excerpt from a review of the choir's "Christmas in Danish" concerts with Peter Lodahl in the Church of Holmen 10th December 2011.



Lille MUKO spread lots of joy in the Church of Holmen.

A few thousand Copenhageners can't be wrong. The annual Christmas concert with the University Choir Lille MUKO filled the Church of Holmen twice on Saturday, and the audience could after an hour and a half of singing and playing go light headed home from "Christmas in Danish" with beautiful music in the ears and good tidings in the soul.

Lille MUKO is - also in the seasonal concerts, which they have held in the Round Tower during the year under the leadership of the conductor Jesper Grove Jørgensen - a very generous ensemble, who likes to give the audience the surprising little extras that make you smile and brings forth afterthought.
[...]

Peter Dürrfeld, Kristeligt Dagblad, 14th December 2011
Translated from Danish

A High Point

Excerpt from a review of the choir's concert 26th July 2010 in Vrejlev Church as part of the Vendsyssel Festival.



[...]
Under Jesper Grove Jørgensen's leadership, Lille MUKO has developed into both an intelligent and innovative choir who present terrific interpretations. One feels that nothing is left to chance: perfection lies in every detail. Their articulation is crystal clear and the choir possesses a rare, clean and powerful sound that gives them an excellent ring.

This concert will therefore be one of the artistic high points in this years festival.

Jens Henneberg, Nordjyske, 28th July 2010
Translated from Danish

Lille MUKO: 'The Grass Becomes Green'

Excerpt from a review of the choir's CD 'The Grass Becomes Green' from 2007.



[...]
The strongest are, however, Matti Borg's compositions to the writings of German author Eduard Mörike. Matti Borg's compositions achieve the special, very sensitive tone of Mörike's religious lyrics. The fear and the suffering and feeling of the emptiness of everything that is distinctive of the lyric is strengthened by Matti Borg's compositions - and naturally by Lille MUKO's empathetic interpretation.

As a whole, this CD gives a rare, beautiful insight into contemporary Danish choir music.

Jens Henneberg, Nordjyske, 2nd July 2010
Translated from Danish

Peace to the War

Excerpt from a review of the performance of Britten's War Requiem on 26th July 2008, where the choir participated along with among others the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, the Danish National Vocal Ensemble and the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir.



[...]
"War Requiem" still remains the choirs' music, which the Danish voices lives up to in every sense. The adults takes on the cathedral's excessive acoustics with clear consonants and wins. And the little boys sing like little angels. As if they could descend from above and remind us of the conflicts' main victims.

It's a good thing we do not experience them every day. The wars, that is.

Søren H. Schauser, Berlingske, 27th July 2008
Translated from Danish

For whom did the bells toll?

Excerpt from a review of the choir's performance of Mozart's Requiem, together with Collegium Musicum in Tivoli 16th April 2006.



[...]
And because one very rarely hears Mozart's final work sung so well. Suddenly, the University Choir Lille MUKO is engaged in each and every note. There are no sopranos without height, no altos without a warm glow, no tenors without richness - at most, maybe a little too few basses. And suddenly, four star soloists working so beautifully with Mozart's tones. For once, the soprano was not the greatest experience, no. It was collective. Simply because no-one disappointed.

The evenings conductor and greatest hero was Michael Schønwandt. Not just because he implemented this flighty program so tastefully, but because he in fact gave it new life. [...]

Søren H. Schauser, Berlingske, 18th April 2006
Translated from Danish