Composer: Edvard Hagerup Grieg
Performer: Håkon Høgemo, Lise Davidsen, Ann-Helen Moen, Victoria Nava, Johannes Weisser, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Bergen Pikekor, Bergen Guttekor, Edvard Grieg Ungdomskor, Edvard Grieg Kor
Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Edward Gardner
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Chandos
Catalogue: CHSA5190a
Release: 2018
Size: 1.52 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Peer Gynt Incidental Music, Op. 23
01. No. 1, Prelude to Act I. “At the Wedding”
02. No. 2, Halling. Scenes 2 and 3
03. No. 3, Springar. Scene 3
04. No. 4, Prelude to Act II. “The Abduction of the Bride. Ingrid’s Lament”
05. No. 5, Peer Gynt and the Herd Girls. Scene 3
06. No. 8, In the Hall of the Mountain King. Scene 6
07. No. 9, Dance of the Mountain King’s Daughter. Scene 6
08. No. 12, Prelude to Act III. “The Death of Åse”
09. No. 13, Prelude to Act IV. “Morning Mood”
10. No. 15, Arabian Dance. Scene 6
11. No. 16, Anitra’s Dance. Scene 6
12. No. 17, Peer Gynt’s Serenade. Scene 7
13. No. 19, Solveig’s Song. Scene 10
14. No. 21, Prelude to Act V. “Peer Gynt’s Homecoming. Stormy Evening on the Sea”
15. No. 25, Whitsun Hymn. “Oh Blessed Morning”. Scene 10
16. No. 26, Solveig’s Cradle Song. Scene 10
Concerto, Op. 16
17. I. Allegro molto moderato
18. II. Adagio
19. III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato
20. Bridal Procession: No. 2 from Folkelivsbilleder, Op. 19
This much awaited recording offers keenly idiomatic performances of the most famous works by Grieg, played by the composer’s own orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic, and its Chief Conductor, Edward Gardner. The drama and passion of such favourite pieces as the incidental music to Peer Gynt and the Piano Concerto are superbly captured in surround-sound with exemplary Chandos sound quality. Unlike most existing recordings, offering only the orchestral suites, this disc presents numerous extra excerpts from Peer Gynt, which follow the sequence of Henrik Ibsen‘s dramatic poem, including sections for the unique Norwegian “Hardanger Fiddle”. Having collaborated with the orchestra on several occasions, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is the soloist in the Piano Concerto, a piece that stands out as a shining example of a single great thought captured and expressed in music. The power of this conception is evident throughout the concerto in the pianist’s faithful, yet highly romantic interpretation.