Search - Halfdan Kjerulf, Emil Sjogren, Gerald Robbins :: Scandinavian Masters: Kjerulf & Sjogren

TREASURES FROM "UP NORTH"

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 08/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This delectable Genesis release, from its invaluable LP archives (1974 vintage--- a very good year!), joins the remarkable talents of two very exceptional Scandinavian composers all but obscure to us stateside folk: Halfdan Kjerulf (1815-1868), so popular in his Norwegian homeland that upon his death, no less than fellow countryman, Grieg, wrote a most detailed and moving obituary, and, from Sweden, Emil Sjogren (1853-1918).



And, speaking of Grieg, and other Scandinavian composers of reknown, like Sibelius, Peterson-Berger and Stenhammar (all of whose piano works are seeing tremendous revivals within the past several years), one cannot help but think that Kjerulf and Sjogren, both, come fabulously close to the compositional depth, quality and inventiveness of these recognized masters. Given this, it seems perverse that their names never found more popularity in this country. Be that as it may, here they now are for us to appreciate. And, certainly, if you are fond of Grieg's Lyric Pieces, Peterson-Berger's "Frosoblomster," Stenhammar or the idyllic piano ponderings of Sibelius, you will most assuredly fall under the spell of Kjerulf and Sjogren at first hearing.



Kjerulf's piano pieces take up the majority of this CD (which, we can rationalize, makes it substantially easier to place in our collections under "K"--- thank goodness for small conveniences!) and are all, every one, lyrically gifted, melodically charming, frequently nostalgic. Particularly fine are the wistful "Wiegenlied," Op. 4, No. 3, the graceful "Impromptu," Op. 12, No. 9, the truly touching "Albumblatt," Op. 24, No. 1 and "Adagio," Op. 28, No. 2, the Mendelssohnian "Fruhlingslied," Op. 28, No. 5, and the very Grieg-like "Idylle," Op. 28, No. 6.



Emil Sjogren captures about fourteen minutes of playing time with five pieces from his incredibly forward-looking set of 1883, aptly titled Erotikon (Op. 10). These fine compositions, written fifteen years after Kjerulf's death, show a not at all surprising increase in piano "vocabularly," a tonal palette of richer hues, an obviously deeper emotional level and sophistication. However much the specter of past Nordic masters hovers over these works, Sjogren still manages to retain his own voice. One need but listen to any of these piano pieces to easily hear this. Haunting, for example, are the "Andantino" and "Allegretto con moto." Wonderful music!



Gerald Robbins, whose Genesis recording of Dvorak's Poetic Tone Pictures, Op. 85 is superb, turns now from the Slavic to the Nordic and, in the process, amazes by his wealth of melodic finesse, charm and as much penetration of this new idiom as he had for the grand old Czech master. The sound on this disc is warm and full--- exemplary for music and artist, alike--- and has transferred faithfully from the original LP, if not better.



[Running time: 50:33]"