Asger Hamerik

Hamerik was a renowned conductor and teacher who was the son of a professor at the University of Copenhagen. Through his father's marriage he was related to most of the leading musicians of contemporary Denmark. The contacts he had brought him under the tutelage of Matthison-Hansen for theory, Haberbier for piano and composition from Gate and Hartmann. Hamerik composed the ballade "Roland" which was performed in London and brought him to Berlin where he became a student of Bulow. Because of war between Denmark and Germany, Hamerik next went to Paris after declining an invitation by Wagner to come to Munich. Accordingly, he changed the German spelling of his name and sat for lessons with Berlioz while in Paris. By 1865 excerpts from his first opera "Tovelille" were performed followed by the large choral work, "Frihetshymme." It was composed in Stockholm for the celebration of Sweden's revised constitution. For the Paris Exhibition Hamerik sat on the jury with Rossini and Auber but also composed his "Hyman de la paix." Arranged for chorus and a large orchestra consisting of the inclusion of fourteen harps, two organs and four sets of bells, et al, it was well received. Hamerik's third opera, "La vendetta" was produced in Italy whereupon he was invited to the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. Hamerik conducted for twenty seven years becoming a leading advocate of Scandinavian Romanticism leading him to the composition of his five "Nordische Suiten." Hamerik's last important work was the "Choral Symphony" depicting life, death and resurrection. Returning to Europe he conducted several works and finally settled in Copenhagen in 1900. Hamerik's music was consistently and tenaciously Danish despite the strong and influential character of Berlioz, and, life in the United States.
© Keith Johnson /TiVo