Saeverud: Fanfare & Hymn / Piano Concerto, Op. 31 / Symphony No. 9

Featuring

Aleksandr Dmitriyev
Noriko Ogawa
Stavanger Symfoniorkester
Harald Saeverud

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Compositional Technique

Sæverud's Piano Concerto, Op. 31, marked a shift towards a neo-classical style, with pared-down orchestration and chamber music characteristics in parts.

Composition History

Sæverud's Fanfare og Hymne, Op. 48, was commissioned for the city of Bergen's 900th anniversary in 1970, though the composer's initial inspiration came from his irritation with the Norwegian tax system and other societal concerns.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The finale of Sæverud's Symphony No. 9, subtitled 'Bells in the Mountains,' draws inspiration from the wild landscapes of Norway's west coast, a place where the composer felt at home.

Composer Biography

Harald Sæverud, a Norwegian composer, was initially considered a leading modernist but simplified his musical style during World War II, focusing more on melodic elements.

Critical Reception

Sæverud's Symphony No. 9, Op. 45, initially received brutal dismissal from some critics, including fellow composer Arne Nordheim, who questioned its inclusion in a festival program.

Performer Biography

Noriko Ogawa, the pianist on this recording, won third prize at the 1987 Leeds International Piano Competition and is a national celebrity in her native Japan.

Composition History

Sæverud's Piano Concerto, Op. 31, was dedicated to Norwegian pianist Robert Riefling, who performed its premiere on December 7, 1950, with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.