Axel Skovgaard was a Danish violinist, who performed throughout the United States and Canada during the first three decades of the 20th century.The Lyceumite and Talent, (Chicago: The International Lyceum Association of America, April 1910) pp. 20-21.
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.Danish Violinist uiowa.edu. Retrieved: October 17, 2016. In the years that followed he studied with the famed violinists Carl Halir, Emanuel Wirth and Joseph Joachim. Skovgaard uiowa.edu. Retrieved: June 19, 2012.
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.
In 1902 he purchased a 1712 Stradivarius violin, which became his constant companion and instrument of choice.The Lyceumite and Talent, (Chicago: The International Lyceum Association of America, March 1910) pp. 54 -56.
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. By 1905 he had formed the Skovgaard Concert Company along with pianist Christine Nilsson and vocalist Eleonora Olson. Within a few years both Nilsson and Olson had left the group. Eleonora Olson started her own company in 1909 with which she enjoyed considerable success.Yust for Fun by Eleonora and Ethel Olson, (Minneapolis: Eggs Press, 1979).
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.New York Metropolitan Company uiowa.edu. Retrieved: October 23, 2016. She joined Skovgaard's company in 1908 Alice McClung uiowa.edu. Retrieved: October 23, 2016. and eventually became his wife. The couple played together for over thirty years, their partnership lasting until Alice Skovgaard's death in 1946.Herald Press (St. Joseph, MI), February 08, 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. His American tours were well-documented in the small town press, and many of these accounts can be read at the Newspaper Archive and similar sites.
The Library of Congress has Skovgaard concert programs, which list several of the works he performed.Circuit Chautauqua in the Twentieth Century loc.gov. Retrieved: June 19, 2012. 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
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
References
External links
August Hyllested profile Historic American Newspapers Axel Skovgaard advertisements and articles Circuit Chautauqua in the Twentieth Century What was Chautauqua? A Chautauqua Summer Axel Skovgaard concert programs at the Library of Congress. Advertisements The Skovgaard Concert Party in The Lyceumite and Talent: February 1910, page 45. Skovgaard in The Lyceumite and Talent: April 1910, page 47. Articles "The Story of My Violin" in The Lyceumite and Talent: March 1910, page 54. "The Danish Ole Bull" in The Lyceumite and Talent: April 1910, page 20. Skovgaard Concert Company 1905-1907 Skovgaard postcard Axel Skovgaard photo Christine Nilsson photo Eleonora Olson photo Skovgaard articles and advertisements Alice McClung Alice McClung photo Alice McClung obituary McCartney and McClung Families Genealogy Alice McClung Axel Skovgaard Eleonora Olson Company Olson Company: concert programs from 1911 to 1917 "Luk Dot Vindow": humorous story from 1925 Streaming audio Music from the repertoire of Axel Skovgaard at the Internet Archive.