The composer C.F.E. Hornemann conducted the choir in the years 1878-1883.
Hornemann is probably best known for the opera "Aladdin"
Ydunchoir's conductors 1857-2013:
| H. Frederiksen | 1857-1859 |
| Gottschacksen | 1859-1861 |
| Hildebrandt | 1861-1870 |
| H. Frederiksen | 1870-1872 |
| W. Vater | 1872-1878 |
| C.F.E. Hornemann | 1878-1883 |
| Johan Bartholdy | 1883-1892 |
| Vilhelm Rosenberg | 1892-1907 |
| Poul Hellmuth | 1907-1916 |
| Vilhelm Rosenberg | 1916-1925 |
| Ikke oplyst! | |
| Alfred Strandqvist | 1930-1936 |
| Ikke oplyst! | |
| Richard Østerfeldt | 1938-1946 |
| Cai Wendelboe-Jensen | 1946-1949 |
| Richard Østerfeldt | 1949-1957 |
| Finn Reif | 1957-1960 |
| Preben Meile | 1960-1964 |
| R. Kaufmannas | 1964-1968 |
| Gunnar Svensson | 1968-1976 |
| Carl Sanger | 1976-2003 |
| Thomas Berglund | 2003-2006 |
| Marco Lorenzo | 2006- |
Ydunchoir's chairmen 1857-2013:
| F. Hansen | 1857-1858 |
| T. Ottesen | 1858-1867 |
| Duusen | 1867-1869 |
| Chr. Borch | 1869-1870 |
| J.C. Nielsen | 1870-1874 |
| Chr. Borch | 1874-1879 |
| P. Petersen | 1879-1894 |
| Carl Landau | 1894-1907 |
| Chr. Schouw | Ikke oplyst! |
| A.L. Lund | Ikke oplyst! |
| Frederik Abildrose | 1930-1957 |
| Kaj Å. Folvig | 1957-1960 |
| Poul Sørensen | 1960-1970 |
| Svend Dohm | 1970-1972 |
| Alice Sibbern | 1972-1975 |
| Hans J. Hansen | 1975-1986 |
| Torben Larsen | 1986-1991 |
| Else Böhme | 1991-1995 |
| Eliza Bihlet | 1995-1996 |
| Else Böhme | 1996-2009 |
| Helle M. Schultz | 2009-2010 |
| Torben Larsen | 2010-2011 |
| Ellen Stevenson | 2011- |
Photo from the member magazine "Idun" from the choir's summer tour in 1907
Ydunkoret was founded on 08.01.1857 as an all mens choir. The chorus is one of the oldest in Denmark.
Ydunkoret was founded on 08.01.1857 as an all mens choir. The chorus is one of the oldest in Denmark.
The name Ydun comes from Norse mythology, where the goddess Idun is guardian of the golden apples which give the gods eternal youth.
The choir's historical roots go further back. During the war years 1848-50 people gathered in different contexts and sang patriotic songs. This is was a passtime that a group of cobblers in Copenhagen took up, and they founded a choral society named Erato - the lovable muse of dance and love songs.
This society continued until 1856, where it disbanded due to internal strife. The choir divided ,and in one group Ydunkoret was created.
It was a very exciting time for the choir in the beginning and they were hired for many demanding projects. Around 1874 the membership numbers rose to 140 men, though some had to put up with being passive members. At that time they had to pay a fine of 8 shillings if they did not come to rehearsals. The money was saved for the annual summer fest, which was always arranged with horsedrawncarriages to transport the members.
This society continued until 1856, where it disbanded due to internal strife. The choir divided ,and in one group Ydunkoret was created.
It was a very exciting time for the choir in the beginning and they were hired for many demanding projects. Around 1874 the membership numbers rose to 140 men, though some had to put up with being passive members. At that time they had to pay a fine of 8 shillings if they did not come to rehearsals. The money was saved for the annual summer fest, which was always arranged with horsedrawncarriages to transport the members.
C.F.E. Hornemann's original score
Section of the Hornemann original score for festkantaten
Hornemann composed and dedicated a festcantate to the choir on the occasion of Ydunkorets 25 th anniversary in 1882. He also composed a cantata for the opening of the famous Tivoli Concert Hall which Ydunkoret premiered .
Photo from the members magazine "Idun" from a song festival in Aalborg in 1907
Ydunkoret, as a purely male choir in the late 1950s. In front of the choir's longterm conductor, Richard Baltic Feldt.
The years passed with rehearsals, concerts, radio broadcasts and a social gatherings. The solidarity and camaraderie was good - both in good and in bad times. During periods of unemployment and war they helped each other. They sang their heart's content to bring light to otherwise dark times. In the 1950's membership dwindled unfortunately. In 1963 someone had the bright idea to offer women acces to membership of the choir - and this helped.
