A Finnish Elegy

Jukka Harju · Jari Valo · Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra · Pehr Henrik Nordgren

2019 · ABCD 425

Credits

Performers: Jukka Harju — French hornJari Valo — ViolinOstrobothnian Chamber Orchestra
Composers: Pehr Henrik Nordgren
Conductors and other contributors: Juha Kangas — Conductor

About this release

Pehr Henrik Nordgren (1944-2008) had a special relationship with the Central Ostrobothnia Chamber Orchestra and the orchestra's founder, honorary conductor Juha Kankaase. KPKO has premiered about thirty and also recorded a large number of Nordgren's works, many of which are central to both Nordgren's production and Finnish string orchestra literature.
Concerto No. 4 for violin and string orchestra was premiered in 1994 by John Storgårds and the Wegelius Chamber Orchestra. On this album, KPKO's soloist is the former concertmaster of the orchestra, Jari Valo, who acts as alternating concertmaster of the Radio Symphony Orchestra. Nordgren said that this wild, dark and tragic work "is very close to him".
Horn Concerto Op. 95 from 1996 was premiered by Sören Hermansson and KPKO. Lempä's melancholic work is interpreted on this album by Jukka Harju, a French horn player from Kokkola. Harju is the solo horn player of the Radio Symphony Orchestra and has been awarded in several international competitions.
Rock Score Op. 100 was created in 1997 as a commissioned work for the inauguration of the Kaustinen Folk Art Center, when KPKO under the direction of Juha Kankaa also premiered it. The name of the work refers to a building excavated inside a granite rock, the composer described his work as a "musical fantasy carved in stone". The composition can be described as very sculptural: it contains strong dynamic, tonal and stylistic contrasts and constantly changing tempos.

Tracks

Concerto No. 4 for Violin and String Orchestra Op. 90
1.Konsertto nro 4 viululle ja jousiorkesterille Op. 90comp. Pehr Henrik Nordgren (1944-2008)ISRC FIABA180011325:13
Rock Score Op. 100
2.Kallioon piirretty Op. 100comp. Pehr Henrik NordgrenISRC FIABA180011412:53
3.Konsertto käyrätorvelle ja jousille Op. 95comp. Pehr Henrik NordgrenISRC FIABA180011522:21

Reviews

Diese zeichnet sich in der Tat durch ein sehr mächtiges und kompaktes Klangbild aus, besticht aber letztlich vor allem durch einen emotional-narrativen Duktus, der das Stück in der wunderbaren Interpretation des Ostbottnischen Kammerorchesters zu einem packenden Erlebnis macht.
Pizzicato · Norbert Tischer · December 3, 2018
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The juxtaposition of these folk-carvings and the massive slabs of uncarved stone occupies the rest of this 15-minute megalith.
Records International · March 19, 2019
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The string writing in the Horn Concerto is wonderfully eerie.
BBC Music Magazine · May 7, 2019
These three magnificent pieces all receive consummate advocacy from the two fine soloists and Kangas’s Ostrobothnians.
MusicWeb International · Richard Hanlon · May 21, 2019
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Conductor Jiha Kangas premiered many of these works with his excellent Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra.
ClassicalCDReview.com · Robert Benson · June 17, 2019
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This is a curious but absorbing release, not for the casual listener but worthwhile nonetheless.
American Record Guide · Allen Gimbel · June 21, 2019
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