Halvorsen: Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 / Jarvi, Bergen Philharmonic

$21.99
Label
Chandos
Release Date
October 26, 2010
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      HALVORSEN, JOHAN
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
    • PERFORMER
      Thorsen, Jarvi
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      October 26, 2010
    • UPC
      095115161425
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      CHAN 10614
    • LABEL
      Chandos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Orchestral & Symphonic
    Works ⌄

    1. I. Intrata: Allegretto moderato

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    2. II. Air con Variazoini

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    3. III. Gigue: Allegro - Allegro molto

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    4. IV. Sarabande: Andante sostenuto

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    5. V. Bourree: Allegro con spirito

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    6. No. 1. —

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Performer: Marianne Thorsen

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    7. No. 2. —

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Performer: Marianne Thorsen

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    8. No. 3. —

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Performer: Marianne Thorsen

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    9. Air Norvegienne, Op. 7

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Performer: Marianne Thorsen

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    10. Veslemoy's Song (Maiden's Song)

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Performer: Marianne Thorsen

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    11. I. Allegro moderato

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    12. II. Romance: Andante con sentimenti

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    13. III. Intermezzo: Allegro amabile

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    14. IV. Finale: Allegro

      Composer: Johan Halvorsen

      Ensemble: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi



Johan Halvorsen spent most of his career writing for the theater, which is probably why his music sounds so effortless, colorful, and well, efficient. This isn't meant to be disparaging. Rather, all of these pieces get right to the point, and none outstays its welcome, not even the Second Symphony, which clocks in at a bit under half an hour. It's conservative, harmonically and formally, but the music really works--it's a pleasure from beginning to end, and wholly convincing. This performance also is the first to correct the zillion errors in the printed score that have gone a long way to preventing the work from entering the repertoire, where it surely belongs.

The other pieces are all, in one way or another, ostensibly Norwegian in sound in a manner quite similar to Grieg. Again, there's nothing wrong with that. What sane person dislikes Grieg? The Suite ancienne, to the memory of Holberg, has every bit as much charm and freshness as Grieg's Holberg Suite, while the other three pieces all feature solo violin. Marianne Thorsen plays splendidly, while Neeme Järvi leads his Bergen forces in performances that are graceful, vibrant, and in the Suite and the Symphony, the last word in impetuosity and excitement. With terrific sound, if you don't know this music, you're missing something special.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com