Palmgren's success in Europe peaked before World War I, leading to an invitation to move to the United States in 1921, though he returned to Finland in 1927.
Composition History
Many pieces on this album, including 'Consolation', 'Scherzo', 'Lyrical Intermezzo', and 'Dance Steps', are world premiere recordings.
Performer Biography
Jouni Somero's extensive discography includes over 100 recordings for labels like Naxos and Sony BMG, with many world premiere recordings.
Performer Biography
Jouni Somero, the pianist on this album, is one of the most active contemporary Finnish musicians, having given over 3,100 concerts worldwide.
Composer Biography
Selim Palmgren, a pupil of Ferruccio Busoni and Conrad Ansorge, was one of the most performed Nordic composers of piano music in the early 20th century.
Composition History
Palmgren's creative output for piano stagnated after 1928 due to the sudden death of his first wife, Maikki Järnefelt, who suffered a stroke during a rehearsal of his cantata.
Compositional Technique
Palmgren's 'Intermezzo for the Left Hand' may have been inspired by a physical injury, similar to how Alexander Scriabin came to write pieces for the left hand.
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