Search - Ole Borneman Bull, Christian Sinding, Johan Svendsen :: Norwegian Violin Favourites

Engaging and well-performed light music

G.D. | Norway | 09/19/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fine disc of lighter music. Some of it, such as Svendsen's Romanse is presumably fairly well known even internationally, but the disc also contains several engaging rarities, and everything here is well worth a listen. The virtuoso violinist and adventurer Ole Bull (1810-1880) was in many ways responsible for the direction of Norwegian music in the 19th century. Internationally renowned as a performer, he was strongly influenced by Norwegian folk music in his compositions (often based on real folk melodies). The lovely `Sæterjentenes søndag' is perhaps his most famous single piece, and, while of little profundity, it is a piece which it is easy to come to like. `La Melancolie' is a song transcription (arranged for string orchestra by Halvorsen and for violin and orchestra by the soloist here, Kraggerud, himself). It is a fine piece as well, though less memorable than `Sæterjentenes søndag'. His violin concerto in e minor dates from 1841 and the slow movement given here, while pretty enough, doesn't really raise interest in the work as a whole.



Christian Sinding is probably more well-known internationally than Bull, but his Suite im alten Stil - more high-romantic than olden style - is rather slight, if containing some fine tunes and some solid craftsmanship. Johan Svendsen needs little introduction and the Romance is a real gem, beautifully shaped, memorable and not without depth. Johan Halvorsen (1864-1935) is famous in Norway, in particular for his Entry March of the Boyars. But he was a real composer of some stature, and I strongly recommend listening to some of his orchestral music (the series of theatre music from Simax contains a lot of surprisingly engaging music). The two Norwegian Dances are splendid works as well, lively and spirited, harmonically interesting and with truly memorable themes. The Maiden's Song and the Old Fisherman's Song are reflectively melancholic, unpretentious and not without charm. The Wedding march is joyful and enjoyable but slight.



The two Grieg pieces are well-known enough in their original guises. The song Jeg elsker dig is one of his more engaging early songs but works better in its original form (or in arrangement for solo piano) than for violin and orchestra. Last Spring is one of his most famous pieces with its intensely melancholic atmosphere and beautiful melodies. Henning Kraggerud plays every work here with a sure hand and a lovely tone, bringing out the charm of the music while never overdoing it or trying to force us into believing that these mainly innocent miniatures are something more than they are. The orchestral playing is good as well, and I have no complaints about the sound quality. This disc can thus be firmly recommended to anyone looking for a disc of good, tuneful, engaging and spirited music without demanding anything profound."