Aksel Agerby

Agerby was blind and was trained as an organist and pianist at the Danish Royal Blind Institute and the Copenhagen Organist School. From 1921, he was an organist at Copenhagen Funeral services and from 1930 until his death, he played the organ at Brønshøj Church. Today, he is chiefly remembered for one small piece of music, the melody for Jeg er havren. A few other songs of his were recorded, some with Aksel Schiøtz. His musical output also included some songs and a few instrumental compositions, sometimes backed up by an orchestra.

Most of his music was written for keyboard instruments; he also composed a number of works for choirs, as well as a handful of pieces for larger ensembles.

His legacy and importance to the Danish music scene lies elsewhere. He was an energetic and charismatic President of the DUT (the Young Musical Artists Society), which was, and continues to be, involved in the International Society for Contemporary Music. Agerby was chairman of the DUT from 1929 until his death, and had strong opinions and the ability to make things happen. He managed to execute a merger with the New Music (Ny Musik) Organization, thereby creating a more powerful association for contemporary music.

• Danish: article in the DMT on the occasion of Agerby's 50th birthday