Having recently concluded his Halvorsen series, Neeme Järvi continues his Nordic project with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. This is Volume 2 in the survey of orchestral works by the Norwegian composer Johan Svendsen, a contemporary of Grieg.
One of the highlights of this new release is Svendsen's Cello Concerto, a new recording featuring the award-winning cellist Truls Mork. The piece has only been on record once before long ago and long out-of-print. The orchestration, reflecting the contemplative nature of the music, is perhaps more introverted than what we usually hear in Svendsen’s music.
The disc also includes Svendsen's Symphony No. 2, considered his masterpiece. A work that greatly impressed his contemporary, Edvard Grieg. The two selected Norwegian Rhapsodies are informed by appealing melodic music that will surely remind listeners of the lyricism of Grieg as much as of Svendsen.
