Axel Skovgaard

European beginnings

Axel Skovgaard was born May 20, 1875, in Copenhagen, Denmark. He showed promise at an early age and began his musical studies at the age of six. In the years that followed he studied with the famed violinists Carl Halir, Emanuel Wirth and Joseph Joachim.

As a young man Skovgaard performed in much of Scandinavia and Germany and appeared before the rulers of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany. He was also a member of the Meiningen Court Orchestra and the Copenhagen Philharmonic.

American career Skovgaard came to America in 1903 when he accepted a position with the New York Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Walter Damrosch.

Alice McClung became Skovgaard's new accompanist. McClung, who had been a student of the Swedish pianist August Hyllestad, was a talented soloist and ensemble player. She joined Skovgaard's company in 1908 and eventually became his wife. The couple played together for over thirty years, their partnership lasting until Alice Skovgaard's death in 1946.

From 1905 onwards, Skovgaard traveled the country, often giving concerts under the auspices of the Chautauqua and Lyceum organizations. Their publications are, in fact, the primary source of information on the Danish violin virtuoso.

Axel Skovgaard toured constantly, giving over one thousand performances during one nine-year stretch. Although he himself made no recordings, this portion of his repertoire can be heard at video-sharing websites or purchased from digital music download services.

Music played by Axel Skovgaard Axel Skovgaard's hand photographed and published in the Daily Illini, 1911. Ballade et Polonaise - Vieuxtemps The Bee - Schubert Chant sans paroles - Tchaikovsky Fantaisie Hongroise - Hubay Kreutzer Sonata - Beethoven La Folia - Corelli Humoresque - Dvořák Nocturne - Chopin Scenes de la Csarda - Hubay Serenade - Schubert Sicilienne et Rigaudon - Kreisler Traumerei - Schumann Violin Concerto in D major - Brahms Violin Concerto in F sharp minor - Ernst Violin Concerto in E minor - Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in A major - Svendsen Violin Concerto in F sharp minor - Vieuxtemps Violin Sonata in E minor - Sjögren Zapateado - Sarasate