|
|
|
|
Aaron Rosand in Norway, 2-CD SetBest Classical Concerto Album - JPF Awards 2006
|
"Every now and then a release comes along that reminds you what a superb violinist Aaron Rosand is, and this is one of them. All these performances are so good that if you only had them and no other recordings of the works, you wouldn't be missing much. Rosand supplies all the tonal richness, nuance, and stylistic sensitivity that these works need . [more]" --Magil, American Record Guide, July/August 2005
"One of the true aristocrats of the modern violin, Aaron Rosand is captured here in his mid-to-late 1970s peak via Norwegian Radio recordings of outstanding quality of their period. Listening to these bracing live performances one feels in the presence of a master whose tonal purity and ringing intonation is worthy of comparison with the likes of Milstein and Ferras, and whose subtle use of portamento is very much in the Rabin and Perlman class. [more]" --Julian Haylock, The Strad, "Concerto Selection," October 2005
Performers: Aaron Rosand (violin), Norwegian Radio Orchestra (Karsten Andersen conducting), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (Sverre Brulund conducting), Robert Levin (piano).
Video Artists International has released newly rediscovered recordings of Rosand's live performances in Norway. The two-CD set is available through retail outlets, worldwide, as well as from major on-line vendors including amazon.com and includes:
CD I 
| CD II
|
Klaus Egge: Aaron Rosand - violin with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Karsten Andersen conducting. Ole Bull: Aaron Rosand - violin & Robert Levin - piano. All other tracks - Aaron Rosand - violin with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Sverre Brulund conducting. Stephen Hart, Two Rock Digital - mastering, 2004 release. Lauren Speeth, elfenworks - executive producer, 2004 release. A VAI Music release.
I played many concerts in Norway during the 1970s and 1980s and am most delighted to discover that the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (NRK) in Oslo has preserved a good number of those live performances.
The principal work on this two-CD set is the performance of the Klaus Egge Concerto with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Karsten Andersen. This was done for the Bergen Festival concerts in 1975 where I also performed in recital with the noted Norwegian pianist Robert Levin. Unfortunately, most of the recital tapes were lost, and only the lovely Saeterjentens Sondag by Ole Bull, beloved by the Norwegian people, remains. This piece, fittingly, concludes the second disc.
Although I had resurrected many fine concertos of the 19th century -- Joachim, Arensky, Hubay, Ernst, and others -- and recorded them for posterity, I was not known at the time for being interested in most contemporary repertoire. I have often felt that much of the contemporary writing for the violin is "unviolinistic". If the violin cannot sing in lyric lines, it is not appealing to me, and so I have preferred to stay away from that genre of music.
But the Egge Concerto is different. The work combines lyricism, melodic lines and formidable technical difficulties. That was why I was inspired to play the piece, and I spent the better part of 1974 learning it in my home in Italy.
This rest of this release is taken from performances with the NRK broadcasting orchestra, conducted by Sverre Brulund, in 1975, 1977, 1978 and 1980.
The suite in A minor, by the Norwegian composer Christian Sinding, remains a classic in the violin repertoire and a true challenge for the virtuoso. This performance was given n 1975, prior to the Bergen festival.
The Symphonie Espagnole by Eduard Lalo has certainly been a favorite for violinists and audiences since 1875, when it was first performed by Pablo de Sarasate, for whom it was written. The performance on this release is from 1980.
The Sibelius Humoresque, the second of six in his opus 87-89, was the only Humoresque I performed with the NRK orchestra in 1977. For timing purposes it probably fit neatly in a radio program. In one of my early recordings for Vox records, I was the first violinist to record all six of these unusual works by Sibelius, who wrote so well for the violin, as he himself was a violinist.
Tchaikovsky's Serenade Melancolique, with its dark and somber colors and long lyric lines, provides a sharp contrast to the repertoire on this release. It is typical of Tchaikovsky's brooding sentimentality and a piece that I often program in recital with piano. How much better it is here with the orchestral background as done in 1978.
Havanaise and Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso of Saint-Saens are two of the most popular pieces in the repertoire, and certainly the most frequently performed. The same can be said for Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs) by Pablo de Sarasate, which has always been one of my favorites. The fidelity and accuracy of these performance tapes amaze me after so many years. To be sure, there are imperfections, but they are minor ones when compared to studio recordings where so much excitement is lost in pursuit of perfection.
I am especially pleased to present this release as a tribute to Norway in commemoration of my many visits and concerts in this wonderful country. It is also my sincere hope to revitalize interest in Klaus Egge's remarkable violin concerto, which should be cherished for eternity. - Aaron Rosand
| Welcome || Biography || Acclaim || Recordings || Address || Links || Site Map |
