The Landscape of Colors - concert at Løgumkloster Church with Duo Askou // Andersen

The Landscape of Colors – tones for the poems of Jens Rosendal

Experience a concert and lecture featuring the songs of poet Jens Rosendal with Duo Askou // Andersen, consisting of Hanne Askou (violin) and Frode Andersen (accordion). The performance is based on the duo's popular album, 'Farvernes Landskab – toner til Jens Rosendals digte'.

This is the duo's fourth album featuring Danish music, songs, hymns, and folk tunes, arranged for violin and accordion in classical, instrumental, and chamber music style. Like their previous releases, the album has received widespread acclaim and excellent reviews, and is frequently played on both radio and television.

The album features melodies set to poems and lyrics by Jens Rosendal, composed by 10 different Danish composers between 1974 and 2022. The songs are well-known from both the Danish Folk High School Songbook and the hymnbook, including beloved pieces such as 'Du kom med alt det der var dig' (Love song), 'Kærlighedssang ved et tab', 'De dybeste lag i dit hjerte', and the title track, 'Farvernes landskab'.

The two musicians, who knew Jens Rosendal personally, will share stories about the poet and his work. Naturally, there will also be opportunities for the audience to sing along to the communal songs that made this poet from Marsken a national treasure.

ABOUT THE ALBUM

The unifying figure of the duo's release is the popular poet and songwriter Jens Rosendal (1932–2023), whose direct and relatable texts have been set to music by many different composers over the years.

These are songs and hymns close to the hearts of many Danes—think of his lyrics for the 'Love song', also known as 'Du kom med alt det der var dig'—a song that holds great significance for many people, young and old, across various life stages.

Even though Jens Rosendal’s texts are well-represented, particularly in the Folk High School Songbook, there are many melodies that are not widely known and have not been recorded or released before.

The classical duo's refined interpretations elevate these hymns, ballads, and communal songs into small chamber music gems with a folky touch. They will undoubtedly appeal to those who already love the universe of Jens Rosendal and his poetry about universal themes and relevant issues, while hopefully opening the ears of new listeners to fresh nuances in already familiar melodies.

Jens Rosendal’s texts are most often inspired by the nature surrounding the area where he lived for over 50 years: in Ballum in western South Jutland, with Nationalpark Vadehavet as his closest neighbor.

The South Jutlandic artist Lars Bollerslev has captured the essence of the title track, 'Farvernes landskab', with his painting 'Marsklandskab hen under aften', which graces the album cover. The melody, written by jazz trumpeter Valdemar Rasmussen, was originally composed for a nature film about the birthplace of painter Emil Nolde, Tøndermarsken.

The CD 'Farvernes Landskab' costs 120 DKK and can be purchased at the concert, by contacting duoaskouandersen@gmail.com, or found on all streaming services.

Arr. Løgumkloster Refugium in collaboration with Løgumkloster church