Chopin’s E minor Concerto and Schumann’s Opus 92 remain two of the finest works for piano and orchestra by composers of the Romantic era- the...

Chopin’s E minor Concerto and Schumann’s Opus 92 remain two of the finest works for piano and orchestra by composers of the Romantic era- the universal spirit of these compositions being equally relevant in the early decades of the 21st century as they were when they first appeared. Sveinung Bjelland is one of The Norwegian Radio Orchestra’s preferred partners, both as soloist, which he has been numerous times, and in its chamber music series. With an ear for detail in sound and phrasing and content only after achieving his intended nuances at the micro level, he is, at the same time, a pianist with the power and authority needed to be heard over the orchestra. In these works, the interplay between soloist and orchestra is especially important, and it may be noted that the conductor on this recording is also a pianist. Bjelland is Professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music and the Univeristy of Agder. The Norwegian Radio Orchestra is known and cherished throughout the land and regarded by music-loving Norwegians with a unique combination of respect and affection. The orchestra is comprised of highly talented classical instrumentalists and its musical philosophy is distinguished by a light-hearted approach, a curiosity for all kinds of music, and an unwillingness to pigeonhole musical styles.