Leif Ove Andsnes: Grieg/Schumann Piano Concertos
MIC’s Listen to Norway series continues with Leif Ove Andsnes’ fantastic release 'Grieg/Schumann Piano Concertos'.
This is a time-honoured recorded coupling of two of the most-popular piano concerts, Schumann’s and Grieg’s both in a-minor, made fresh and rewarding by pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Mariss Jansons. Many have done this pairing in the past, but this is regarded by many to be the ultimate renditions. The vibrant and alive recording brings out glorious playing from both soloist and orchestra, a performance similarly combining spontaneity and concentration, dedication and poetry, with no hint of self-consciousness or routine. This is a potential standard-setting album against which all other subsequent recordings will be judged. The performances are wonderfully invigorating; with Andsnes’ sheer musicianship and technical completeness illuminating both works leaving the listener with an album that is destined to last a lifetime.
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Himmelkvad
Celebrated vocal ensemble Nordic Voices is currently out on its promo tour for their new outing ‘Himmelkvad’, a critically acclaimed album presenting Norwegian composer Lasse Thoresen’s unique vocal universe. MIC Norway takes a closer look at the cutting-edge vocal ensemble and ground-breaking composer.
I was the devil in my younger years
Late Feb sees Enslaved heading out on a month-long European tour. MIC Norway hooked up with Enslaved’s Ivar Peersen to talk about musical cross pollination, inspirational sources, humour and his fascination for singer-songwriter Stein Torleif Bjella.
