Johan Halvorsen: Orchestral Works Volume 3

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The Bergen Philharmonic under Jarvi respond with commitment throughout, relishing the challenges of the music as much as the opportunity to showcase it...Top-notch Chandos sound completes a splendid,... — Gramophone Magazine, June 2011 More…

Release Date: 28th Mar 2011
Catalogue No: CHAN10664
Label: Chandos
Series: Johan Halvorsen Orchestral Works
Length: 80 minutes

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Halvorsen: Symphony No. 3

Work length26:52

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Neeme Järvi, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

I. Poco andante

Track length10:01

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II. Andante

Track length8:00

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III. Finale. Allegro impetuoso

Track length8:51

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Halvorsen: Sorte Svaner

Work length5:00

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Neeme Järvi, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Halvorsen: Bryllupsmarsch, Op. 32 No. 1

Work length4:18

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Neeme Järvi, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Marianne Thorsen

Halvorsen: Rabnabryllaup uti Kraakjalund

Work length4:03

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Neeme Järvi, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Melina Mandozzi

Halvorsen: Fossegrimen, Op. 21

Work length29:54

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Neeme Järvi, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Ragnhild Hemsing, Melina Mandozzi

I. Fossegrimen. Allegro moderato

Track length6:29

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II. Huldremøyarnes Dans. Allegretto grazioso

Track length3:01

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III. Bruremarsch. Allegretto marciale

Track length5:53

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III. Måneskinsmøyarne. À sa femme Annie. Andante

Track length7:16

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IV. Melodrame og Auds Sang. Allegro

Track length4:34

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V. Fanitullen. Allegro con fuoco

Track length2:41

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Halvorsen: Bergensiana

Work length10:16

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Neeme Järvi, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

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Neeme Järvi is back conducting the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in the third volume in Chandos’ series devoted to the orchestral works of the Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen. They are joined on this recording by Ragnhild Hemsing on Norway’s national instrument, the Hardanger fiddle, and by Marianne Thorsen on violin.

Johan Halvorsen was a highly prominent figure in Norway’s musical life during the first decades of the twentieth century, and the works on this CD are all performed by the orchestra that he himself conducted in the 1890s.

Volumes 1 and 2 have both been CD of the Week on Classic FM radio, and of the latter, Classic FM said: ‘[Halvorsen’s] music is distinctive, expertly written, endlessly tuneful and thoroughly engaging… every phrase pulsates with charm and energy, making even the simplest of gestures feel like musical gold.’

Halvorsen wrote substantial amounts of music for dramas, but most of it was overshadowed by the success of Fossegrimen, which is one of the most performed dramas ever on the Norwegian stage. Described as a ‘troll-play in four parts’, Fossegrimen, by Sigurd Eldegard, had its premier in January 1905. On this occasion, Halvorsen was not just the composer and conductor, but also the soloist on the Hardanger fiddle, which for the first time in history was used as a solo instrument with symphony orchestra. Due to tight schedules, Halvorsen often reused earlier compositions when writing music for the stage. ‘Danse visionnaire’ – inspired by a poem by Arne Garborg and describing a dream vision of girls dancing in the moonlight – was one of these ‘recycled works’. The piece was originally included in Fossegrimen, but later abandoned when Halvorsen realised that this would over time be regarded as one of his main works and as such demanded exclusively original music. ‘Danse visionnaire’, here recorded with the Suite from Fossegrimen for the first time, later gained great success in its own right, not least as ballet music for Norway’s most celebrated ballerina in the 1910s, Lillebil Ibsen.

Symphony No. 3 was described by Halvorsen himself as a ‘lyrical symphony’. It includes the strong Grieg-motif in the first movement, and later scattered references to the First Symphony by Sibelius, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, and Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto. Particularly unusual is Halvorsen’s original use of glockenspiel (campanelli) in the Finale, which creates a striking effect. Eventually he reconsidered and crossed out this entire part from the score, perhaps for fear of the critics’ reaction. However, for this recording, Neeme Järvi has chosen to restore the glockenspiel to the orchestra to recreate the sound of Halvorsen’s original idea.

Reviews

June 2011

The Bergen Philharmonic under Jarvi respond with commitment throughout, relishing the challenges of the music as much as the opportunity to showcase it...Top-notch Chandos sound completes a splendid, jam-packed disc.

July/August 2011

Järvi, predictably, inspires splendidly alive and vibrant playing from the Bergen Philharmonic, and the Chandos team (Brian Pidgeon and Ralph Couzens) produce a first-class balance and lifelike sound to delight us. The booklet is highly informative and well produced.

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