Veli-Matti Puumala The music is the man - Gehrmans MusikfÃ¶rlag

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R e p e r t o i r e t i p s R E V I E W S Wind and brass bands Kalevi Aho Concerto for Trumpet and Symphonic Wind Band (2011) Dur: 31’ 3333-4332-03-asax-tsax This concerto is suitable for performance at both wind band and symphony concerts. The first movement, in particular, includes singing, lyrical music. The quick second one has elements of jazz and is technically extremely difficult: the soloist has to command such techniques as glissando, note inflection, lip trills and pedal notes. Towards the end, the concerto becomes more potent and dramatic, and it is then that the solo part is most virtuosic. HUGO ALFVÉN Suite from the Mountain King (1923/2004) Dur: 22’ Compilation and arr. Anders Högstedt 3282-4432-13-1-ssax-asax-tsax-bsax-euph-2db The music to the ballet the Mountain King ranks among Hugo Alfvén’s finest works, with its folkloristic motifs, enchanting mysticism, nature lyricism and drama. This suite contains seven depictive movements, including the frequently performed, whirling and rhythmically lively Herd Maiden’s Dance. DANIEL BÖRTZ Sinfonia 10 (1992) Dur: 17’ 3242-4442-14-0-4sax-euph This is a highly suggestive work that takes its point of departure in the very deepest darkness and silence, out of which a dull carpet of sound develops. It slowly works its way towards the light, while the rumbling bass drums create an almost fateful atmosphere. The middle part is more airily orchestrated, with quick, rhythmical figures in the winds. The drums drive the music forward, ending up in a powerful section for percussion ensemble, after which the dark timbres and the solemn mood from the beginning of the work return. Mikko Heiniö Sonata da chiesa (2005) Dur: 16’ 0000-4331-13-cel The form of the Sonata da chiesa points to a Baroque church sonata, but instead of being traditional music for the church, it paints glorious visions in sound. The movements are marked off by intermezzos in which the celesta occupies a focal role. The critics praised the sensual timbres of this work along with the delicious rhythmic romping, for the second movement of the Church Sonata is real swinging boogie. FREDRIK HÖGBERG Troll Tuba – The Three Billy Goats Gruff (2005) Dur: 10’ for tuba and symphonic wind band (text in English/Swedish/Norwegian) 3252-4431-13-0-2asx-tsax-bsax-euph-db This is an entertaining tuba concerto and musical tale in which the tuba player functions as both narrator and soloist, and the orchestra musicians comment on the course of events. Here Högberg exhibits once again humour and lively musicianship with his spirited, rhythmically vivacious and diverting music. Jukka Linkola Euphonium Concerto (1996) Dur: 29’ Version for concert band arr. Elias Seppälä 3262-4432-02-pf/cel-asax-tsax-bsax-euph-db This popular work, described by its composer as “unashamedly melodic”, abounds in technical challenges and musical brilliance. Linkola set out to exploit the singing, sensual quality of his solo instrument as a sensitive interpreter of melody. According to a review by Iwan Fox, this concerto is regarded as the “Everest” of its genre, tackled by many, conquered by few. Pasi Lyytikäinen Necto (2010) Dur: 5’ 3322-4431-01-db Scored for symphonic winds, Necto was premiered by the Guards’ Band in October 2010. It was originally intended as a bridge between Stravinsky’s Piano Concerto and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition; in this respect it well serves its purpose, capturing the spirit of both. But the allusion to them is so discreet that Necto can also be performed as a separate concert number. HILDING ROSENBERG Symphony for Wind and Percussion – The Tower of Babel (1966) Dur: 18’ 2222-0330-13-0 When Hilding Rosenberg composed the music to Birgit Culberg’s ballet The Tower of Babel he wrote it in such a way that, with minimal changes, it could be converted into a concert work. And this masterly written, captivating symphony has become something of a classic among Swedish works for wind orchestra. Aulis Sallinen Chorali for Wind Orchestra (1970) Dur: 12’ 4444-6442-03-hp-cel According to composer Mikko Heiniö, Chorali has features that recall late Sibelius: melancholy, expressionless tones shunning all forms of colourism, modal or whole-tone motion and above all the orchestration. Chorali opens with a rising scale over solemn pedal notes. The mood is statically devout and chorale-like, but builds up to powerful drama in around the middle. The last of its four motifs culminates in an episode reminiscent of a funeral march. ALBERT SCHNELZER Azraeel Suite (2008) Dur: 13’ 2151-3432-11-0-asax-tsax-euph-db Schnelzer’s imaginative suite in three movements was inspired by Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses. The two outer movements, (I. Burning of Books, and III. Angel of Death), are highly dramatic with considerable dynamic fluctuations, and violently driving rhythms, creating a feeling of impending threat. The music of the lighter middle movement, (“turn them into instruments…”), is reminiscent of music from the Balkans, with its dancing rhythms, alternating between 7/8 and 6/8 time. Profound, radiant works Rautavaara’s inimitable, intimately radiant other-worldliness is brilliantly matched by the rich timbres of a choir, and the singers’ charged and passionate dedication spins ideal interpretations of Rautavaara’s sacred works. Rondo, September 2013 Einojuhani Rautavaara: Sacred Choral Works CD: Latvian Radio Choir/Sigvards Klava (Ondine ODE 1223-2) Aho’s oboe music – exotic and stimulating This is really fascinating music…Bockstal captures the music’s grander sentiments marvelously...This is an excellent collaboration and would be an appropriate addition to anyone’s collection who is seeking where the world of music and we are headed. American Record Guide July/August 2013 Kalevi Aho: Works for the Oboe (Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra, Solo IX, Sonata for Oboe and Piano) CD: Lahti SO/Martyn Brabbins, sol. Piet Van Bockstal, Yutaka Oya, piano (BIS-SCD 1876) One of the most interesting composers Composer-guitarist Kai Nieminen is quite definitely one of our most interesting contemporary composers, transforming his impressions into the most fantastic compositions for various instruments and line-ups…This was the Finnish premiere of his four-movement A Walk to the Mysterious Woods [for guitar]... It really is a walk to mysterious woods full of dazzling details. Valkeakosken Sanomat 3. & 5.7. Works by Kai Nieminen Trio La Rue, Patrik Kleemola, guitar etc., 3.9.2013 Sääksmäki, Finland Amazing Schnelzer This [Into Thin Air] is amazing music, with a wealth of contrasts and breakneck turns. Mårtensson’s playing made the clarinet stand out as the optimal instrument for this type of expressivity. In Wolfgang is Dancing, Schnelzer poked fun at Mozart in imaginative and Staffan Mårtensson humorous music with a driving rhythm. The audience responded with a well-deserved ovation. Corren 15.8. Albert Schnelzer: Into Thin Air, Wolfgang is Dancing World premiere: Staffan Mårtensson, clarinet, Love Derwinger, piano, Erik Wahlgren, cello, Tobias Ringborg, violin, 14.8.2013 Linköping Chamber Music Festival, Sweden Photo: Heikki Tuuli Photo: Carl Thorborg H i g h l i g h t s 3 / 2 0 1 3
Intoxicating piano concerto Here melodies flow in and out of one another, forged rather than composed, in an intoxicating torrent. Both the orchestra and soloist had great fun with the material. The audience was left breathless. Helsingborgs Dagblad 13.8. Tobias Broström: Piano Concerto – Belle époque Musica Vitae/Fredrik Burstedt, sol. Per Tengstrand, 12.8.2013 Helsingborg, Sweden Heiniö’s Luceat – climax of the disc The high points are mainly in the latter half, however, starting with Kokkonen’s marvelous five-span Laudatio Domini, a real modern classic. Mikko Heiniö’s Luceat receives its first recording here and it is the real climax of the disc, not the Górecki. We should have more Heiniö on disc. Gramophone 2013 Mikko Heiniö: Luceat Joonas Kokkonen: Laudatio Domini etc. CD: Key Ensemble/Teemu Honkanen (Fuga-9302) Cleverly-constructed drama Syyskesän laulu (Late Summer Song) is a cleverlyconstructed drama…There were lots of contrasts, and the peaks and valleys were tastefully measured out. The instrumentation was colourful, Heiniö’s idiom seems quite at home in Nummi’s texts…Essi Luttinen sang magnificently and entered strongly into the shifting moods. Turun Sanomat 16.7. Mikko Heiniö: Syyskesän laulu (version for mezzosoprano and orchestra) Refugium musicum/Tuomas Rousi, sol. Essi Luttinen, 13.7.2013 Turku, Finland Stage performance of Linjama’s church opera in Ossiach in 2010 Music that brings out goose pimples Jyrki Linjama composes fine works for the church, in earnest… His technical mastery and skilful crafting guarantee a multidimensional result that touches even the listener unfamiliar with the underlying structures. The beginning of this modern lament is so sensitive it brings out goose pimples. [Finnish Stabat Mater] The church opera Die Geburt des Täufers has a similar effect. It works well in a concert version, too, Eliasson’s urgent and timeless music This is independent music that follows its own symphonic laws. The themes develop organically, as if by themselves… Eliasson was a master builder of form. Helsingin Sanomat 31.5. This performance was consummate… Storgårds´ was an incomparable, penetrating and emotionally charged interpretation of the dramaturgically and thematically well-wrought work…Eliasson’s music has an urgency and timelessness in its appeal and aesthetics that is hard to resist, and the contexts grow forth with impeccable logic. Hufvudstadsbladet 31.5. Anders Eliasson: Symphony No. 4 Finnish premiere: Helsinki PhO/John Storgårds, 29.5.2013 Helsinki, Finland because here again Linjama is aiming at moods, and illustrates the main events with his music. Kotimaa 25.7. Jyrki Linjama: Finnish Stabat Mater World premiere: Soli Deo Gloria/Juhani Lamminmäki, sol. Piia Komsi, Ulla Raiskio, Ritva Koistinen, 29.6.2013 Kokkola, Finland Die Geburt des Täufers Concert version: Soli Deo Gloria/Juhani Lamminmäki, sol. Ursula Langmayr, Esa Ruuttunen etc., 7.7.2013 Espoo, Finland Fury and reconciliation in Sixten’s Requiem Here we encounter chaos, anger, tensions, wild frenzy – a surrealistic and fluctuating reality. But Sixten’s music does not lose its foothold: penetrating and pure folk elements are also there…“In paradisum” is the loveliest of the movements, where the sufferer finally sees the light. Sundsvalls Tidning 28.6. Fredrik Sixten: Requiem CD: Swedish Radio Choir, Nordic ChO/Ragnar Bohlin, sol. Karin Ingebäck, soprano, Anders Larsson, bass (Intim musik IMCD 120) Photo: Ferdinand Neumueller Photo: Anders Eliasson Lisa Larsson and the Kreutzer Quartet Photo: Markus Palmgren, BLT Beautiful and expressive Martinsson songs The ten movements (Dickinson poems set to music) were characterised by intense drama but also by small effects that provided a singular suspense and vitality….The most exciting of all was the premiere of Till skuggan av en verklighet, for soprano and string quartet. Lisa Larsson’s soprano sounded so liberating, not only beautiful but also strong and expressive, with Karin Boye’s words about love, in vivid harmony with the outstanding Kreutzer Quartet. Blekinge Läns Tidning 5.7. Rolf Martinsson: Songs on Poems by Emily Dickinson (song/piano-version), Till skuggan av en verklighet World premiere: Lisa Larsson, soprano, Roland Pöntinen, piano, Kreutzer Quartet, 4.7.2013 Lyckå Chamber Music Festival, Sweden Cinematic concert overture I very much liked the piece, a study in harmonic instability with an almost cinematic deployment of massive blocks of chords in the brass rising from and falling back into a sea of scurrying strings… Seen and Heard 31.5. Martinsson’s ten-minute piece was a brilliant opening for the concert…The work begins with grand, brassy fanfares and jazzy rhythms…followed by music as lushly romantic as Erich Korngold’s film scores… It’s an overture worth hearing again. bachtrack 31.5. Rolf Martinsson: Open Mind Cleveland SO/Manfred Honeck, 26.5.2013 Cleveland, USA H i g h l i g h t s 3 / 2 0 1 3
Page 1 and 2: n o r d i c HIGHLIGHTS 3/2013 N E W
Page 3 and 4: Pettersson release in Norrköping C
Page 5: The Swedish composer Anders Eliasso

Veli-Matti Puumala The music is the man - Gehrmans MusikfÃ¶rlag

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