Poul Rovsing Olsen (1922–1982) wished for his music to be as close as possible to the listener, evident on this intimate recording of his songs for solo voice, featuring the successful Bruun Hyldig Duo. A student of Messiaen, Rovsing Olsen’s songs contain both French and Danish influences; the lyrics, however, come from all over Europe, including poems by William Blake, Rainer Maria Rilke, Charles Baudelaire, Pär Lagerkvist and more.

A critically acclaimed duo, Hetna Regitze Bruun and Kristoffer Hyldig have been highly praised for their collaboration on two previous Messiaen releases (for Naxos); Rovsing Olsen was one of Messiaen’s students.

”Her beauty of tone is matched by the richness and power needed for these remarkable works,” BBC Music Magazine wrote about Bruun following the 2015 Messiaen release (Naxos: 8573247).

Rovsing Olsen is a composer of ”refined sensibility,” Gramophone wrote in their review of Dacapo’s latest Rovsing Olsen release, Piano Concerto and Orchestral Works.

”This is a masterpiece,” Fanfare Magazine wrote of Dacapo’s 2004 Rovsing Olsen release, Belinda. ”This one’s a gem,” Classics Today wrote, adding a 10/10 score.

All songs, except Two Lagerkvist Songs, are world premiere recordings.