Christoffer Sundqvist · Anna-Karin Korhonen · Ilkka Heinonen · Markku Lepistö
2013 · ABCD 359
Pehr Henrik Nordgren (1944-2008)
Clarinet concerto
Symphony No. 1
Christoffer Sundqvist, clarinet
Radio Symphony Orchestra
Juha Kangas, conductor
The new album, which contains music by Pehr Henrik Nordgren, features the composer's folk music-influenced Clarinet Concerto op. 14 and Symphony No. 1 now as world premiere recordings. The Radio Symphony Orchestra led by Juha Kankaa is responsible for the album's fine interpretations. Today, world-famous virtuoso Christoffer Sundqvist performs as a clarinet soloist. In the concert, Pelimanje can also be heard in places as the interpreter of the composer's excellent "fusion imaginations". The symphony, on the other hand, was a pioneer in a time when combining elements of folk music with art music was - unlike today - almost forbidden.
Jouni Kaipainen describes the works in the album booklet:
The earliest of the compositions on this album, Concerto for clarinet, folk instruments and small orchestra, was created in 1970. Nordgren has been in a detached mood here: he uses folk music in the concerto as a more detached element than in his other works. The result is, on the one hand, a good-natured coexistence, on the other hand, sudden changes of setting up to the point of crude, cruel humor, but only occasionally something that could be considered synthetic - the time for such came only a little later. Although the title equates the instrument elements as equals, the clarinet is most clearly the main soloist.
The first symphony was completed in 1974. Now, the folk music-oriented material is on the one hand deeply integrated into the whole, but on the other hand it still glaringly shines out, echoing the right of its own existence. Longer syntheses were still waiting for themselves, but Nordgren was on his way towards them.
I have now reviewed half of Nordgren’s symphonies (3, M/A 2000; 7+8, S/O 2010) and the descriptions and conclusions are about the same, as is my evaluation of this orchestra.
American Record Guide · Allen Gimbel ·
The writing is virtuosic both in its impressive emotional sweep and in the demands on the orchestra and soloists.
Fanfare · Ronald E. Grames ·
A shade darker than Nielsen’s, the Concerto’s folk instruments delight.
La Folia · Ethelbert Nevin ·
”This is yet another superb release that clearly deserves the highest praise for excellent performances, magnificent recorded sound – even when heard on my standard CD player – and detailed and illuminating insert notes by composer Jouni Kaipainen whose music also deserves wider exposure. More please.”
Hubert
MusicWeb International · Hubert Culot
Pehr Henrik NORDGREN (1944 � 2008)
Concerto for Clarinet, Folk Instruments and Small Orchestra Op. 14 (1970)
[28:47]
Symphony No. 1 Op.20 (1974) [33:13]
Christoffer Sundqvist (clarinet); Anna-Karin Korhonen (kantele); Ilkka
Heinonen (bowed harp); Markku Lepist� (two-row accordion)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra/Juha Kangas
rec.
MusicWeb International
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