by Jan Magnus Dahl
The database of the Norwegian Music Information Center (www.mic.no) contains a great many titles for wind band, and since 1990 an additional 100 works – concertos, cantatas, symphonic poems etc. has been added! In this article I’ll update you on some of the latest commercial publications and a couple if interesting CDs that have come my way.
Incidentally, not all Norwegian band music is published domestically! In Hafabra’s catalogue (hafabramusic.com) we find Magnar Åm with his grade 3 march March 2001b The Oblique One(3’30), and from Mythen (www.mythen-hollanda.nl) you can get Frode Thingnaes’ Three Pieces for Horn (7', grade 3), Ballad and Samba from 2nd Jazz Suite (9', grade 4 clarinet soloist, grade 3 band), Once Upon a Theme There Was A… (5'30, grade 3), Concertino for Tuba and Wind Band (10', grade 5), and his euphonium solo Peace, Please! (5', grade 4). Thingnæs writes in the lyrical jazz tradition, and his music and arrangements are very popular in Norway. Like a Gentle Breeze (5', grade 2) is a good introduction to the jazz ballad idiom for your grade 2 school band – everyone gets a chance to play the tune.
Mythen has also published two compositions by Per Husby: Inverness Wedding (5', grade 3) and the tone poem Mythos (11' grade 3). Inverness Wedding was written for a Scottish-Norwegian wedding and comes (of course!) with strong references to Scottish reels and Norwegian folk music. Husby describes Mythos as a film score for a non-existing film, inspired by impressionism and jazz.
Beriato published in 2001 a short, lively concert march by Morten Wallin, The Eagle March. This simple, three minute march written in alla breve is well suited for grade 2 bands looking for a concert opener.
I have recently come across a fabulous piece by Jon Øivind Ness (b. 1968) – “Tics and Tiffs” from 1991. Jon Øivind Ness is a major force to be reckoned with, his knowledge and mastery of compositorial techniques is impressive. In Norway he is well known and respected for his completion of Geirr Tveitt’s Prillar, a large symphonic poem in three movements (brilliantly recorded on BIS 1027 by the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra). Tics and Tiffs was commissioned by the elite band Opus 82, who gave it a terrific first performance. Ness combines nervous energies with stark confrontations between woodwinds and brass, with the percussion section playing the part of the go-between. Written for standard instrumentation (3 horns only, but 4 trumpet parts), I regard Tics and Tiffs as a grade 6 piece with great demands on rhythmic accuracy and transparency, with plenty of excitement for all involved. Durata 11'30, and published by Norsk Musikkforlag.
If your young players are interested in improvising, Magne Rulte has written two short, charming pieces, Soave (4') and After (5'), both featuring solo parts with an introductory theme followed by a chord pattern. No written-out solos are provided. Band parts are grade 2-3. After is a quiet ballad written for tenor sax solo (but playable on any Bb-flat instrument). The solo part for Soave (“soft”) is also intended for any Bb-flat instrument, and should be played in a calm, relaxed atmosphere with a steady pulse. Both pieces are provided with chord patterns for the rhythm section. Standard instrumentation, but in Soave the clarinet section is divided into 5 separate parts, in addition to bass clarinet. Magne Rutle is a prolific arranger and writes exclusively for Nordic Sounds (www.nordicsounds.com). His arrangement of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem works very well indeed if you want to combine your forces with a good choir.
I wrote extensively about the music of Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen in my previous article, so let me just mention that he has combined three of his separate works (Tunes from Ryfylke, Tunes from Lofoten and Norwegian Dance) into an exiting 3 movement suite, Viking Spirit. Publisher is Nordic Sounds. A good programming choice if you want to introduce this composer to your audience.
The Blue Arctic Sun was written last year for a local community band by Helge Sveen during the winter months when the sun is slowly returning to Northern Norway, gradually spreading its magical blue light after the near-total darkness of December. Part one, Dawn, describes the first glimpse of the sun, while Latin Lunch describes the mood of the arctic inhabitants when they again feel the sunshine, and Jam Session is the fun of making music together late into the night. Excellent solo part for flugel horn, with additional solo features for trombone, clarinet and percussion. Standard band instrumentation plus electric bass and guitar, and published by Nordic Sounds. Durata 12-14' (depending on how long you allow your drummer to improvise), grade 4.
Norsk Noteservice (www.noteservice.no) has published two of Jan Magne Førde’s African- inspired pieces, both well suited for smaller school bands: Ejala (5', grade 3), a lyric piece with an open improvisation section, and Kongolela (4', grade 4). The kids will enjoy playing this music.
The Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces has just released “Shaker Song” , an exciting CD with Lars Erik Gudim conducting some of his own compositions and arrangements. Terrific playing, with a tightly controlled and balanced ensemble supporting superb instrumentals solos combined with great sound makes this CD a must. You can get the music as well as the CD from Norsk Noteservice (www.noteservice.no).
Kolbotn Syphonic Winds and their conductor Erlend Tunestveit have a strong tradition in championing contemporary music, and their latest CD, Etwas Neues Unter der Sonnen (SONCD 9002), shows them once again on top form. The title refers to Kjell Habbestad’s highly original work featuring the Hardanger fiddle as solo instrument. Folk music, jazz, aleatoric passages blended with a tasteful modernistic language (no frightening of horses!) certainly fascinated me. Voices from the Script (commissioned by the band) is a deeply felt personal work based on biblical texts. The band blends beautifully with organ and electronics in this very evocative piece. In Hornhavet (also a commission from the band), Jan Magne Førde’s lyric trumpet playing is well supported by the band. The band parts are fairly simple, with traditional instrumentation and chords, well suited for large school bands. Apart from a few minor mishaps, I find this adventurous CD highly enjoyable.
Internet is a wonderful tool if you want to look at the band scene in Norway. Try the Norwegian Band Federation’s address for starter: www.musikkorps.no. Even with little or no knowledge of Norwegian, I’m sure you’ll find much of interest.
Nanset Ungdomskorps under the direction of Odd Terje Lysebo has for many years been among our finest community bands, and their latest CDDéjà vu is a wonderful confirmation of their rightful place in the top. This CD is dedicated to the wind music of Yngve Sletholm (b. 1955) and is in all respects a great credit to the band and its conductor. The recording is excellent by any standard, with dedicated playing on the highest level both individually and collectively, tastefully presented with an informative booklet in English. Get hold of Hemera HCD 2937 straight away – it’s a must!
Sletholm is placed firmly in the modernist tradition. He studied composition with Finn Mortensen in Norway and Morton Feldman in the U.S., and is also influenced by the music of Varèse and Messiaen. Five Studies for Band (1985) is a terrific way for conductors and bands eager to move a bit outside the typical limitations of the contemporary neo-classical soundworld of wind bands. Here you can approach atonal textures, aleatoric counterpoint and gradual transformation of material in an eminently practical way without being overtly pedagogical. In Beyond for Two Wind Ensembles, Piano and Percussion (1990) the band is divided into two independent sections with the piano placed centre stage and the whole ensemble surrounded by four percussionists. Ideas develop and cross-fertilize between the sections and you’re dawn into a magical and delicate soundscape.
Since 1994, all Norwegian championship finals for band have been recorded on CD by Doyen. These recordings give you a broad impression of band playing in Norway, and they all feature some Norwegian music.
Last but not least, I must mention that Geirr Tveitt’s fabulous Sinfonia di Soffiatori (see Newsletter XVII no.2) has been splendidly recorded (together with Førde’s Mountain Air and The Dome) on “The First Shoot” by the Washington Winds and Edward S. Petersen. Another great recording with plenty of stylistic variety, and available from Norsk Noteservice.
Don’t hesitate to contact the author at jmdahle@hotmail.com!
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