Helge Iberg writes: “Listening to the Beatles in my childhood and early youth left lasting impressions. Their style of melody and harmony were as fresh...

Helge Iberg writes: “Listening to the Beatles in my childhood and early youth left lasting impressions. Their style of melody and harmony were as fresh and challenging as their attitude and concepts. No doubt they revealed groundbreaking ideas in the field of popular music. But whereas (for example) Stevie Wonder's ingenious song treasure is strongly woven into his advanced harmonies and iconic grooves, The Beatles' song portfolio is more accessible to artistic intervention and stylistic challenges. My re-creation of some iconic songs has jazz- and classical inspired ideas, but relies upon the melodic "naïveté" needed to safeguard the music's deep human appeal. The songs themselves are evergreen and alive, but can in this context only be justified by musical measures that should surprise and delight – preferably without being “artful”.

REVIEWS:

Norwegian pianist Helge Iberg has created these beautiful re-workings (not just arrangements) of twelve well-loved Beatles songs. Here jazz and classical inspiration meets with simple heartfelt melody. Enjoyable as new music in its own right.

-- Lark Reviews (Stephen Page)

Helge Iberg is a Norwegian composer and pianist, distinguished in jazz and classical idioms, who can move serenely from one to the other. His own fresh approach to the songs he grew up with began not surrounded by piles of sheet music, but sitting at the piano, relying on his memory.

This very fact may account for the air of reminiscence pervading all 12 pieces. They are improvisations, not formal arrangements, and some of them turn out very different from the originals. Following Iberg’s musical wanderings can be fascinating, touching and sometimes surprising. Why, for instance, does Here Comes the Sun have such an ominous ending? Eleanor Rigby plays clever tricks with melodic and harmonic variations, while Blackbird, Nowhere Man and She’s Leaving Home are gently beautiful.

-- The Guardian (Dave Gelly)