Carsten Johs. Mørch
Danish
Summary
With a simple expressivity and identifiable Danish melodies, Mørch’s compositions show substantial influence from Carl Nielsen. In light of this tradition, he has also composed new arrangements for several of the favourite Danish songs and psalms. "I hope it becomes a musical experience and enrichment to get the opportunity to sing these psalms in a different way than we have been used to for decades”, he say.
Mørch has also written sacred music, musicals, chamber music and other vocal music. Besides composing, he also works as an organist.
Critical Acclaim
...Carsten Mørch’s melodies makes the contents of the songs appear new and dewy – Svend Erik Sørensen, Fyens Stiftstidende...We have been waiting for a Carsten Mørch - and then it turns out, he is just right among us! – Svend Erik Sørensen, Fyens Stiftstidende
...When you have played it 10 times, your eyes tear up. It is introvert and then suddenly it jumps out – Jørgen I Jensen, Information
Biography
The composer and organist Carsten Johs. Mørch has written sacred music, chamber music, vocal music and musicals.
He is probably best known for the music for the CD Children First, a CD of songs recorded by international stars – world-famous classical names like Anne Sofie von Otter, Barbara Hendrix, Song Zuing and Bo Skovhus, and more unfamiliar names in the role of singing soloists such as Antonio Banderas. Children First is a humanitarian project mounted in collaboration with UNICEF. Money from the sale of the CD goes to the world’s children in need.
Carsten Johs. Mørch gives meaning to easy-flowing and tuneful classical music. The music is not modern, but it is not toothless either. The attitude is always humanistic – texts by Danish thinkers and literary figures like N.F.S. Grundtvig and Hans Christian Andersen set to music typified by solid, effective classical craftsmanship.
s suggested by the above, Carsten Johs. Mørch is not afraid to take up the challenge from musical history. Carsten Johs. Mørch undauntedly gives a fresh new musical interpretation to songs that already have the status of Danish national heritage and musical history – such as Johan Henrik Nebelong’s melody for Grundtvig’s hymn Nu falmer skoven trindt om land. Or as he himself puts it: "You mustn’t be afraid of getting a healthy little shock now and then when you sit in the church singing hymns.”
Carsten Johs. Mørch’s music involves respect for and love of the tradition mixed with the urge to try his strength with it.
Hjarne Fessel 2014
He is probably best known for the music for the CD Children First, a CD of songs recorded by international stars – world-famous classical names like Anne Sofie von Otter, Barbara Hendrix, Song Zuing and Bo Skovhus, and more unfamiliar names in the role of singing soloists such as Antonio Banderas. Children First is a humanitarian project mounted in collaboration with UNICEF. Money from the sale of the CD goes to the world’s children in need.
Carsten Johs. Mørch gives meaning to easy-flowing and tuneful classical music. The music is not modern, but it is not toothless either. The attitude is always humanistic – texts by Danish thinkers and literary figures like N.F.S. Grundtvig and Hans Christian Andersen set to music typified by solid, effective classical craftsmanship.
s suggested by the above, Carsten Johs. Mørch is not afraid to take up the challenge from musical history. Carsten Johs. Mørch undauntedly gives a fresh new musical interpretation to songs that already have the status of Danish national heritage and musical history – such as Johan Henrik Nebelong’s melody for Grundtvig’s hymn Nu falmer skoven trindt om land. Or as he himself puts it: "You mustn’t be afraid of getting a healthy little shock now and then when you sit in the church singing hymns.”
Carsten Johs. Mørch’s music involves respect for and love of the tradition mixed with the urge to try his strength with it.
Hjarne Fessel 2014