Jeppe Zeeberg

 Danevirke

Danevirke is a work for 4 big bands and 2 soloists written by Lars Greve and Jeppe Zeeberg. It was premiered on November 1st 2019 at the G(((o)))ng Tomorrow festival in Copenhagen. An album with the music was released on the same day at Centrifuga Records.

The festival described the work as follows:
In 1864, the Danish state summoned soldiers from all regions of the kingdom to defend the Danish border against the Prussians. They had to solve an almost impossible task, and the result - we only know that too well. For the premiere of the newly written composition ‘Danevirke’, composers Lars Greve and Jeppe Zeeberg collaborate with personnel from four Danish cities; Ribe, Herning, Svendborg and Farum. Together they form an orchestra with more than 70 musicians. Although the title ‘Danevirke’ draws strings to the battle in 1864, Zeeberg and Greve focus on current society and the nationalism that springs not only in Denmark, but throughout Europe. The composition can be interpreted as a wordless commentary on the nationalist flourishing of today which - according to the composers - invariably must decay.

- The music begins in an optimistic manner. It emulates a people preparing for war, still believing they are going to win. Along the way, chaos arises, and you will experience a musical work that is disintegrating more and more.

Copenhagen Contemporary is the setting for a tour de force when more than 70 musicians from four amateur big bands will gather for the first time and perform 'Danevirke'.

Danish newspaper Politiken gave the premiere a favourable review, noting that (in Danish):

Greve & Zeebergs værk fungerede overraskende godt. Den sprøde klang af messingblæsere i let slingrende forening skabte et virtuelt rum med fire vægge - en for hvert bigband - der lagde sig rundt om os som stemmer fra hver sin verden. Til at begynde med i form af glad og optimistisk jazz, men lidt efter lidt mere og mere kaotisk, indtil verden faldt fuldstædig fra hinanden i orgier af messingklang. Fra midten fik vi de to professionelle og deres poetiske udskejelser, der på samme måde byggede op fra stille kerner til voldsomme kulminationer. De smeltede smukt sammen, amatørerne og de professionelle, i en meget menneskelig musik med alle de fejl og skævheder, den slags nu engang har.