Olav Kielland (1901-1985) belongs to the extreme national wing of Scandinavian composers; his particular aim is to achieve a synthesis of national folk music and the contemporary musical idiom.
The four movements of the Concerto are all named after forms of Norwegian folk music—Bruremarsj (Bridal March), Springar (a folk dance), Kjempevise (an ancient ballad form) and Halling (a dance form resembling the Scotish Highland Fling).
The melodic material of the Bruremarsj is contained in a scale consisting of two Lydian tetrachords, with no other two-tonal additions. The Springar is written in the so-called “Telemarks rhythm” ; the dance is in ternary meter, but each beat has a different metronomic value (MM=100, 108, 160). The Kjempevise is based on the noble, ancient melody of “Asmund Fregdagjevar.” The Halling concludes with a fugato over the main theme, in which different contrapuntal effects are used. On the whole, the movements are otherwise mono-thematic, but the material is arranged in such a way that contrast and progression follow a logical line of development, and each movement appears in the finished work as a formally complete, individual unit.
Bjarne Brustad (1895-1978) made his debut as a violinist and composer during the First World War. His compositions as this point were influenced by impressionism. In the 1920’s, he became interested in the new currents in music, and became one of Norway’s leading modernists.
Symphony No. 2 was completed in 1951 is written for orchestra, with the special addition of the old high military drum which has been given an important role. The symphony is in three movements with a short, slow introduction.
The first movement has the heading “Fanfare,” a name derived from the brass introduction of the main thematic material…. The second movement consists of a long, string cantilena — a sort of “endless melody” — on which the flute and English horn later embroider. The composer himself called the movement “a song without words.” The last movement is a rondo with three episodes built on the characteristic traits of the different groups of instruments: the fast, vivacious movement of the woodwind, the violent outbursts of the brass and the pizzicato effects of the strings.
This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Full liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Olav Kielland & Bjarne Brustad: Orchestral Music
| MP3/320 | $7.99 | |
| FLAC | $7.99 | |
| WAV | $7.99 | |
| CD-R | $7.99 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
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Concerto Grosso Norvegese, Op. 18: I. Bruremarsj
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Concerto Grosso Norvegese, Op. 18: II. Springar
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Concerto Grosso Norvegese, Op. 18: III. Kjempevise
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Concerto Grosso Norvegese, Op. 18: IV. Halling
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Symfoni No.2: I. Andante ‰ÛÒ Allegro molto
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Symfoni No.2: II. Andante ma piu lento
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Symfoni No.2: III. Rondo capriccioso - Vivace
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