Classical Music

The second half of the 19th century is often called the "Golden Age" of Norwegian music. The reason lies partly in the international reputations established by Johan Svendsen and Edvard Grieg, but it also lies in the fact that musical life in Norway, at a time of population growth and economic expansion, enjoyed a period of huge vitality and creativity, responding to a growing demand for music in every genre. The Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces (to use it's modern name) played a key role in this burgeoning musical life not just by performing music for all sections of society, but also by discovering and fostering musical talent in performers and composers. Johan Svendsen, Adolf Hansen, Ole Olsen and Alfred Evensen, whose music we hear on this album, can therefore be called part of the band's history. Hybrid SACD Pure Audio Blu-ray two-disc-box at the price of one ordinary Blu-ray 5.1 SURROUND STEREO produced in DXD (Digital eXtreme Definition 352kHz/24bit) by Lindberg Lyd, Norway.

Classical Music

The Biblical story of David and Bathsheba has a lot of present-day relevance. In this story individual emotions interact with political actions and their consequences. From the opening bars Kleiberg's music establishes a very particular orchestral and harmonic colour one effect of which is to 'place' the events beyond our reach.

LIVING is Jan Gunnar Hoff's first solo piano album. His personal blend of different styles and influences is presented in it's purest form - simply music. Some of Hoff's pieces are meditative and expressive while others have a strong rhythmic nerve, creating contrast and variation in the program. As a sideman Hoff has contributed to numerous recordings in different genres. He was the arranger and ensemble leader of Quiet Winter Night, Grammy-nominated for Best Surround Sound in 2013, an album where he successfully merges elements of jazz, folk and popular music.

Classical Music

Pianist Kenneth Karlsson brings together two Norwegian composers Rolf Wallin and Asbjurn Schaathun. Wallin and Schaathun are challenged by Karlsson to write their replies to Schonberg's Sechs kleine Klavierstucke op.19. Thus a new version of Schonberg's classic is born in the collective opus Zwolf Kleine Klavierstucke.

The beauty and profundity of Valen's subdued but expressive music is being discovered by more and more listeners. The legendary pianist Glenn Gould recognized the importance of Valen's music, saying for the first time in many years I have found a looming personality in the 20th century's music.

Classical Music

With an international reputation as a composer, piano virtuoso and teacher, Thomas Dyke Acland Tellefsen has a special place in the history of 19th century Norwegian music. Tellefsen's connection to Chopin is reflected in several ways in his music, both in terms of choice of style and genre. Jurgen Larsen is a member of several chamber music ensembles, as well as orchestral pianist with Trondheim Symphony Orchestra.

Beethoven's Sonatas for Fortepiano and Cello or Horn clearly demonstrate the connection of the transition from Classicism to Romanticism - they were composed throughout his entire creative career and tell a continuous story, a musical and historical testament, of maturity and change. The three sonatas on this CD were created in three different phases - the young, the struggling and the mature Beethoven in an intense and lucid performance.

Classical Music

With SACD.

Classical Music

Blu-ray AUDIO WITH HYBRID SACD.