Danish National Vocal Ensemble

The Danish National Vocal Ensemble characterizes its own identity with the statement that it "is an elite choir with a pure, transparent Nordic sound -- and at the same time each of the 18 singers is a professional soloist with a strong personal mode of expression." Its programming reaches well past Danish repertoire into broader European traditions, spanning the Renaissance through the present day and featuring multiple commissions created expressly for the ensemble. Established in 2006, the group operates under the Danish designation DR Vokalensemblet, underscoring its roots within the roster of ensembles tied to the national public broadcaster, among them the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, a jazz ensemble, the larger Concert Choir, and additional units. The choir performs both unaccompanied programs and collaborations with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra as well as Concerto Copenhagen, while also joining forces with international orchestras such as the NDR Elbphilharmonie, the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, and the Bang on a Can All-Stars.

Olof Borman has served among its conductors, joined periodically by Stephen Layton in a guest role. British choral specialist Marcus Creed assumed the position of principal conductor in 2014. Recording activity commenced in 2008 with an album devoted to Danish composer Hanne Ørvad on the Dacapo label; subsequent projects have appeared on both Dacapo and OUR Recordings. A notable achievement arrived with the 2012 release The Nightingale, recorded alongside recorder player Michala Petri, which received an ECHO Klassik award, two Grammy nominations, a Gramophone award, and the P2 Prize from Danish Radio. Programming and discography alike have demonstrated versatility, ranging from large-scale compositions such as Per Nørgård's Libra to curated sets of shorter works. The 2015 album L'amour et la foi earned a Diapason d'Or, and in 2018 the ensemble issued Secret Mass: Choral Works by Frank Martin and Bohuslav Martinu on OUR Recordings.