Composer: Leif Solberg
Performer: Tim Collins, Solberg Centenary Singers
Orchestra: Liepaja Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Marit Tondel Bodsberg, Paul Mann
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Toccata
Catalogue: TOCC0260
Release: 2014
Size: 719 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Fantasy & Fugue on the Folk-Tune “Se solens skjønne lys og prakt”
01. Fantasy
02. Fugue
Good Friday Meditation
03. No. 1, Det ropar frå krossen i solmyrkje-kvelden
04. No. 2, Ei røyst, som um mannheimens samvit og sakna
05. No. 3, Det ropar frå krossen i solmyrkje-kvelden
06. No. 4, Å langfredags under! å Golgata gåta!
07. No. 5, Kven fatar den evige frelse-rådgjerdi
08. No. 6, Gud gjev eg med hjarta sitt løyndvit må skilja
09. No. 7, Å sæle meg! her, gjenom natti, eg nemer
10. Norse March
11. Pastorale in D Major
12. Ver sacrum
Symphony
13. I. Andante con espressione – Allegro e deciso
14. II. Andante
15. III. Allegro moderato
This CD is a special one: it commemorates the 100th birthday of the Norwegian composer and organist Leif Solberg (b. 1914) and will be launched at a concert to celebrate the occasion – in the presence of the composer (and his wife: they have been together for 79 years!).
Solberg’s only symphony (1950–51) is a major discovery: it confirms the contrapuntal mastery evident in his magisterial organ works, investing it with a touch of sardonic humour and the dancing rhythms of Norwegian folk-music. The choral Good Friday Meditation, by contrast, points to the lyrical side of his muse. This CD not only marks Leif Solberg’s 100th birthday: it is the 200th CD to be brought out by Toccata Classics since its launch in 2005.
Paul Mann, former chief conductor of the Odense Symphony Orchestra, came to international attention as first prizewinner in the 1998 Donatella Flick Conducting Competition, as a result of which he was also appointed assistant conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. Tim Collins received his first organ lessons from Kenneth Ryder at St Peter Mancroft, Norwich. Since 1995 he has been organist of Lillehammer Church and was responsible for planning the new Rieger organ of Lillehammer Church, which is heard on this recording. Marit Tøndel Bodsberg studied for a bachelor’s degree at the Conservatoire in Kristiansand, specialising in composition, singing and flute. She is artistic director and conductor of the Kvindelige Studenters Sangforening, chorus master of the Ringsaker Opera, and conductor of Vestoppland Kammerkor.