Norgard

In one of my earlier reviews of recordings of Nørgård’s music, I remarked that his musical and stylistic progress is far from a straight line. This composer is used to surprising even his staunchest admirers with unexpected twists and turns. This is certainly valid when considering his string quartets - ten at the time of writing. It may be worth reminding ourselves that his first essays in the genre are available on Kontrapunkt 32015 played by the Kontra Quartet. It’s a disc still worth looking out for.

Now considered one of the most significant and influential Danish composers after Carl Nielsen, Per Nørgård has for a long time been one of the most respected names amongst his peers, as well as establishing a strong reputation in Europe and further afield. Extending a line which includes teachers such as Vagn Holmboe and Herman D. Koppel, Nørgård’s work is a mixture of the challenging and the deliciously gorgeous, aspects which are superbly poised in the works on this BIS recording.

On Remembering, the Danish cellist Jakob Kullberg continues his collaborations with two of the foremost Nordic composers: Per Nørgård and Kaija Saariaho. Praised internationally for his performances of the modern cello concerto, Kullberg regards the concerto form as the encounter of an individual soloist with the sound world of a composer. With living composers this approach often results in an unusual degree of collaboration, as the works gathered here bear witness to. Since 1999, Kullberg has enjoyed a close and unique partnership with Nørgård which has resulted in a large number of works.

Per Nørgård - Seadrift
APE/CUE + LOG | 236 MB | RS
Label: Dacapo | Catalog: CD 8.226067 | Year: 2009

Soprano Bente Vist gives a breathtaking performance; she sings angelically, with piercing purity, and makes Nørgård's stratospheric, punishingly extended lines seem like effortless emanations. Dacapo's sound perfectly captures the luminosity of the music and the performances. Highly recommended.
(Allmusic.com - Læs hele anmeldelsen)

Cellist Wilhelmina Smiths second album release on Ondine continues exploring contemporary Nordic repertoire for solo cello. In her new album Smith has focus on Danish contemporary composers, Per Nørgård (b. 1932) and Poul Ruders (b. 1949). Both Nørgård and Ruders are known for their large-scale orchestral works. Nørgård, in particular, is known for his eight symphonies and has been hailed by many as one of the greatest living symphonists. It is therefore intriguing to look closer to his two very early lyrical solo cello sonatas, early masterpieces written just before completing his 1st Symphony.

Cellist Wilhelmina Smith’s second album release on Ondine continues exploring contemporary Nordic repertoire for solo cello. In her new album Smith has focus on Danish contemporary composers, Per Nørgård (born 1932) and Poul Ruders (born 1949). Both Nørgård and Ruders are known for their large-scale orchestral works. Nørgård, in particular, is known for his eight symphonies and has been hailed by many as one of the greatest living symphonists. It is therefore intriguing to look closer to his two very early lyrical solo cello sonatas, early masterpieces written just before completing his 1st Symphony.

Per Nørgård (b. 1932) is one of the most frequently played composers of his generation. He has written more than 400 works in all genres and inspired innumerable colleagues in Denmark and abroad. This album presents all of Nørgård’s music for the Oscarwinning Babette’s Feast film version by Gabriel Axel of Karen Blixen’s short story – not just the snatches of it one can hear in the film. One can also get to know the hypnotic Spell, the ripples and bubbles in Whirl’s World and Trio Breve, which according to the composer himself are to be regarded as three short expressive phrases – dream-like pictures – that change between light and dark, fast and slow but with introvert melodic features in common.

Per Nørgård - Symphonies 3 & 7
APE/CUE + LOG | 338 MB | RS
Label: Dacapo | Catalog: SACD 6.220547 | Year: 2009

“The performances under Thomas Dausgaard are presumably authoritative and sound just splendid. If you're looking for some really good contemporary music, challenging but rewarding, full of personality and integrity, then this powerfully engineered production offers a perfect opportunity to satisfy your craving."
(10/10 Classics Today)