Love And Loss

The Rudersdal Chamber Players are one of the Nordic region’s most innovative ensembles. Presenting unique combinations of beloved classics, contemporary works and hidden gems. All united by a clear and compelling narrative. The ensemble has performed across Europe and North America. Love and Loss is a special tribute to their friendship with the London-based composer couple Elena Firsova and Dmitri Smirnov. Both are internationally acclaimed composers, with catalogues including commissions and performances by BBC Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra,(The Netherlands) London Sinfonietta, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, The Hallé Orchestra, BBC Proms, Ensemble Intercontemporain (Paris) and Ensemble Modern (Germany). Born in the Soviet Union, they faced severe restrictions that made it nearly impossible for their works to be performed, which ultimately led them to leave the USSR and settle in London. Financial Support for this album was provided by Hoffmann og Husmans Fond, Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond, Statens Kunstfond, Solistforeningen af 1921, Dansk Artist Forbund, Dansk Solistforbund and Musikproducenternes Forvaltningsorganisation. Eastern European music from the 20th century has captivated me for as long as I can remember. It speaks with intensity, urgency, and truth, unflinching, often uncomfortable. The idea for Rudersdal Chamber Players was born from that music. After a 2017 visit to Rudersdal Sommerkoncerter, Lera Auerbach and Rafael DeStella planted the seed. We live in peace and privilege, in a country where democracy and freedom are easily taken for granted. In contrast, composers behind the Iron Curtain faced fear, censorship, and silence. There was little room to challenge the system, to question, to rebel. And yet, their musical education was second to none. Elena Firsova once told me they had to submit a fugue every week. Composing wasn’t a pastime, it was a necessity for survival of the spirit, that urgency is audible. The music is serious, deep, and often harrowing. It pulls you to the edge, over the abyss, and holds you there. You can’t walk away from it unchanged. There is no Danish “hygge” in this world. No easy comfort. In 2019, we began collaborating with Firsova and Dmitri Smirnov. They wrote piano quartets for us, works of great craft and emotional power. They were warm, humble, devoted to each other and to music. It felt like stepping into a deeper tradition, still pulsing with life. Then came the pandemic. I was walking in the woods when Elena messaged me, Dmitri was dying. Soon after, condolences appeared on Facebook. The surreal met the tragic in real time. We had hoped for more music from him. But we are deeply grateful for the one masterpiece he gave us. Elena remains, one of the last voices of that generation. Her work links us to Schnittke, Gubaidulina, Denisov, a line unbroken. Her and Dmitri’s music joins necessity with transcendence. To play it is to witness history, and to feel its heartbeat. It gives meaning. It reminds us why we play at all. It stares into the abyss, and sings.

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Rudersdal Chamber Players Jonas Frølund, Clarinet Christine Pryn, Violin Marie Stockmarr Becker, Viola John Ehde, Cello Manuel Esperilla, Piano