Only four of Geirr Tveitt's suites from his unique, folk-inspired collection, A HundredHardanger Tunes, survive. The two presented here exhibit the same principal characteristics as Nos 1 and 4 (also on Naxos), although without the quasi-narrative structure of No 4, WeddingSuite. The Second Suite is largely a pastoral affair, though with moments of rugged grandeur befitting its subject, the mountains of Hardanger in western Norway. They are brilliantly orchestrated, as one now expects from Tveitt, the final six exceptionally so. The scoring of the Fifth Suite is richer still, like a kind of concerto for orchestra. The trolls here aren't the moronic ogres of Harry Potter or TheFellowship of the Ring, nor even the subterranean imps of Peer Gynt, but rather all the 'netherworld' peoples, whose music is as dazzling as they were legendarily beguiling.
The Royal Scottish orchestra sound as if they thoroughly enjoyed themselves in this music, as well they should have. A splendid and enjoyable disc, beautifully played and recorded. Strongly recommended.