Thomas Dausgaard

Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard, while developing a broad repertory that has taken in music from most periods, is associated with the works of composers from his native Denmark, as well as those from elsewhere in Scandinavia, in particular Sweden. Indeed, he has devoted most of his recording activity to works by composers from Denmark and Sweden -- mostly contemporary ones -- and has held important conducting posts in both countries. Dausgaard's concert programs and discography are replete with names like Bent Sørensen, Johan Svendsen, Dag Wirén, August Enna, but particularly Rued Langgaard, Per Nørgård, and Asger Hamerik. In fact, Dausgaard has recorded highly praised extensive multi-disc sets devoted to the orchestral works of the latter three composers. For all his devotion to Scandinavian music, though, Dausgaard has also received lavish critical praise for his series for the Simax label of the complete orchestral works of Beethoven. He has amassed a sizeable discography within a mere decade or so, his recordings appearing on a variety of labels, including Da Capo, BIS, Chandos, and Virgin Classics.

Thomas Dausgaard was born on July 4, 1963, in Copenhagen. He studied music there at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and later at the Royal College of Music, London. After holding minor posts and freelancing as a conductor in Scandinavia in his early career, Dausgaard received his first major appointment in 1997, that of principal conductor of the Örebro-based Swedish Chamber Orchestra.

In 2001 he debuted at the Proms in London with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and went on to conduct many orchestras in the U.K., including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony orchestra.

Also in 2001, Dausgaard added a second prestigious post when he accepted the appointment as principal guest conductor of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. He served in that capacity until 2004 when he was elevated to that ensemble's principal conductor. Dausgaard's first major recording was made with the DNSO, the 1998 Bach to the Future, a Chandos disc containing the title work by Nørgård and various pieces by other composers.

Dausgaard has regularly toured the major cities of Europe with both his ensembles and has guest-conducted some of the leading American orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Among Dausgaard's newer recordings is the 2007 BIS CD of Dvorák's Symphonies No. 6 and No. 9, with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.