Niels Rosing-Schow
Born
1954
Studied
Royal Danish Academy of Music, with Ib Nørholm
Atelier UPIC, Paris, with Iannis Xenakis
Position
Former professor of composition and head of the composition program at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, serving as a pro-rector (2018-2022) and rector (2023-2024)
Published
Edition WILHELM HANSEN (WiseMusic)
Dacapo Records
In his early years as a composer, Rosing-Schow was influenced by the Danish New Simplicity and by composers Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, Ole Buck and Hans Abrahamsen. After his studies at RDAM with professor Ib Nørholm, he received significant impulses during a stay in Paris at Iannis Xenaki’s Atelier UPIC and became acquainted with French spectral music. These impulses have anchored his musical thinking ever since, in combination with inspiration from Nordic light and nature. His music is characterised by elegance and clarity, and unfolds through gradual transformation, with a focus on time and timbre.
Niels Rosing-Schow has an extensive production across a wide range of genres, and his music is regularly performed in Denmark and across Europe. Over the years, he has also been a prolific writer of research and programme articles, including the book How Does It Make Sense? Perceptually Informed Musical Composition (RDAM, 2023, with support from the Danish Ministry of Culture).
He has been an active participant in the organisational side of music life in Denmark, with roles ranging from concert organiser to membership of several boards, councils and committees, including chairperson of the Danish Composers’ Association from 2008 to 2014.
Selected Works
Orchestral
Now and After 2017
for soloists, choir and orchestra – written for RDAM’s 150th anniversary
Chimère, Cello Concerto 2008
premiered by Andreas Brantelid & Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Ensemble
Flashnight 2015
for bass flute, electronics and ensemble
I giardini dietro la città 2010-2011
Vocal
The Calls 2023
for 18 solo voices, text & movements by Brendan Fernandes
premiered by Danish Radio Vocal Ensemble
Chamber
Respiro Ergo Sum 2015
for accordion and cello
String Quartet Nº 1 – Movements to Hear: In My Body, In My Ears, In My Mind 2023-2025
Albums
Alliages 2014
Peinture du Temps 2013
A Talk of Our Time 2022
Writing
How Does It Make Sense? Perceptually Informed Musical Composition 2023
RDAM, with support from the Danish Ministry of Culture
Performed by
Selected
Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra | Danish Radio Vocal Ensemble | Andreas Brantelid | Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen | The Ligeti String Quartet
Career & recognition
Danish Arts Foundation three-year scholarship – 1982
SCHOLARSHIP
Det Ankerske Legat – 1990
AWARD
Carl Nielsen and Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen Honorary Award – 1993
AWARD
Wilhelm Hansen Music Award – 2000
AWARD
Chairperson, Danish Composers’ Association – 2008-2014
POSITION
Pro-rector, Royal Danish Academy of Music – 2018-2022
POSITION
Rector, Royal Danish Academy of Music – 2023-2024
POSITION