During the last two decades of the nineteenth century, the generation of Danish composers born in the 1860s started to make an impact. Among them, Fini Henriques (1867-1940), who had a special gift for beautiful, well-shaped melodies, and his popularity rested firmly on a generous output of single pieces, usually strung together in collections such as those presented here. Billedbogen (The Picture Book) is a collection for children and proved one of his absolute bull’s eyes, whereas Erotik (Eroticism) and Melodiske profiler (Silhouettes) see the composer exploring the world of adult life. Henriques’s best works maintain a high level with their honesty and that brilliant touch which few of his contemporaries could rival.

Danish composer Fini Henriques’ production comprised stage music, piano and chamber music and, in addition, a large number of songs. His development as a composer seems to have been easy, playful and completely carefree and he became one of the best best-known Danes of his age, one who appealed to practically everybody, high or low.

Henriques was almost unrivalled in his ability to compose small pieces with a sharp characterisation – works with charm and warm-heartedness. This also applied to Fini as a person, so there was complete agreement between the man himself and his music. This is perhaps part of the explanation of the genuineness and the brilliant touches that characterise his best works.

Of the works for piano, the majority are contained in collections which, broadly speaking, can be divided into music for children and music for adults. On this release Danish concert pianist Christina Bjørkøe perform a selection from both categories.

Simultaneous with this release, Dacapo is releasing Fini Henriques: Works for Violin and Piano where Christina Bjørkøe teams up with a regular chamber music partner, violinist Johannes Søe Hansen.