Svendsen Orchestral Works Vol 1
Jarvi Neeme Bergen Po
Svendsen Orchestral Works Vol 1
Jarvi Neeme Bergen Po
Catalogue # CHAN10693
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ABC Classic FM CD of the Week: 7th November\n2011
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This is the first volume in a projected series of four,\ndedicated to the orchestral works of the Norwegian composer Johan\nSvendsen. As a composer, Svendsen was intrigued and inspired by the\nnew trends in music represented by Wagner, Berlioz, and Liszt, a\nfascination which is evident in the works on this disc: programme\nmusic and rhapsodies. They are performed by the same strong\npartnership that brought us the highly acclaimed Halvorsen series:\nthe Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, and Marianne Thorsen on violin\nunder Neeme Järvi, a conductor noted for his recordings of Nordic\nrepertoire.
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Svendsen experienced a defining moment in his career in Bayreuth\nin 1872, when he played in the first violin section of Richard\nWagner’s own orchestra. He and Wagner met and struck up a close\nfriendship. It was during this time in Bayreuth that Svendsen\ncompleted Carnival in Paris, the ‘Episode for Orchestra’, Op. 9.\nWhen Wagner one day looked over the score, he hummed delightedly\nand said, ‘It looks amusing!’ – a fitting description of this\nfestive work which shows the influence of Berlioz in its colourful\norchestration and clear contrasts. Humour, joy, and breathtaking\nvirtuosity are contrasted with moments of pure romance and lyrical\nbeauty. The premiere was a great success, Edward Grieg, who was\npresent, being overwhelmed by the orchestration.
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Svendsen:
\nFestpolonaise Op. 12
\nRomeo og Julia, Op. 18
\nKarneval I Paris, Op. 9
\nTräume from Wesendonck
\nZorahayda, Op. 11
\nNorsk Rapsodi No. 1, Op. 17
\nNorsk Rapsodi No. 2, Op. 19
\nIfjol gjaett’ e gjeitinn, Op. 31
\nRomance for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 26
\nSœterjentens Søndag
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Marianne Thorsen (violin)
\nMelina Mandozzi (violin)
\nBergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
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Review
Kate Rockstrom, Readings Carlton
I love being given recordings to review of composers I’d never heard of before. This was the case for this album by Neeme Jarvi and Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra featuring 10 single movement works by Norwegian John Svendsen. Within the first minute of this recording I was downloading it onto my iPod for further listening. This is orchestral music at its most engaging and exciting! Some works felt like lost ballet scores, while others have the haunting Nordic themes interwoven with lush orchestrations. This is a must-have for any lover of the orchestral sonority. I certainly can’t wait to hear Volume 2!
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