Aarhus – or Aros as the town was called in Viking times, is one of the oldest cities in Denmark and was first settled around the 8th century. Its name means “the mouth of the river”, referring to the town’s location by the mouth of Aarhus Å (Aarhus River). Owing to its central location, Aarhus enjoyed generations of peace and prosperity and is popularly known as Smilets By (City of Smiles). It is the Danish city with the youngest demographics and home to Scandinavia’s largest university, Aarhus University.
From this vibrant environment emerge the young guitarists Simon Wildau and Mikkel Egelund, who, in honor of their hometown, call themselves the Aros Guitar Duo. The Duo has garnered several 1st Prizes in international competitions for Guitar Duos, including Liectensteiner Guitarrentage Ligita, Omiš Guitar Fest (Croatia), and Fiuggi International Guitar Festival (Italy).
The Aros Guitar Duo presents six works composed especially for them in the years 2018-2021. Each composer was given the singular task of incorporating the theme of Morten Børup’s 500-year-old ode "In vernalis temporis", a melody that has been played by the town carillon since 1948 and has become the official melody of Aarhus. This CD, and the entire project, is a loving tribute to the city of Aarhus. It features a grand suite in six movements by six very different composers, all of whom have a connection to the city of Aarhus. Despite differences in ages and circumstances, composers Asger Agerskov Buur, Martin Lohse, Peter Bruun, Rasmus Zwicki, John Frandsen, and Wayne Siegel have jointly created a shimmering sonic portrait of Denmark’s second-largest city and the diversity of the contemporary music scene in Denmark.
