Knudage Riisager

Knudåge Riisager (6 March 1897 – 26 December 1974 ) was a Danish composer. His work was part of the music event in the art competition at the 1928 Summer Olympics.

Early life and education Knudåge Riisager was born in Kunda, in the Russian Empire, in what is today Estonia of Danish parents. His father Emil Riisager was an engineer, and the family returned to Denmark in 1900 when Knudåge was three years old.

He graduated from Copenhagen University where he received violin lessons from Peder Møller, and studied music theory under Otto Malling and Peder Gram. For many years he worked in a government job, and also as a composer. In 1923, he went to Paris to study with Albert Roussel and Paul Le Flem, where he experienced at first hand French neoclassicism and the music of Igor Stravinsky and Les Six.

Notable works Opera Susanne, Op. 49 (1948) Ballet music Benzin, Op. 17 (1930) Cocktails-Party, Op. 19 (1930) (ikke opført) Darduse, Op. 32 (1935–36) Tolv med Posten, Op. 37 (1942) Slaraffenland, Op. 33 (1936–40) Qarrtsiluni, Op. 36 (1938–42) Fugl Fønix (1944/45) Etudes (1947) Månerenen, Op. 57 (1956) Fruen fra havet, Op. 59 (1959) Galla-Variationer (1966) Ballet Royal (1967) Svinedrengen (1968) Film music Niels Ebbesen (1945) Revymusik Paa Hodet, første PH-revy, musik til finalen (1929) Orchestral music Erasmus Montanus, Op. 1 (1920) Suite dionysiaque, Op. 6 Symphony No. 1, Op. 8 (1925) Variationer over et tema af Mezangeau, Op. 12 (1926) Symphony No. 2, Op. 14 (1927) Fastelavn, Op. 20 (1929/30) Concerto for orchestra, Op. 24 (1931) Concertino for trumpet and strings, Op. 29 (1933) Symphony No. 3, Op. 30 (1935) Symphony No. 4, Op. 38 (Sinfonia gaia) (1939–40) Symphony No. 5, Op. 52 (Sinfonia serena) (1949–50) Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 (1950-1951} Little Overture for Strings Chamber music Violin Sonata No. 1 Violin Sonata No. 2 (1923)