Johan HALVORSEN (1864 - 1935)
Orchestral Works Vol. 1
Entry March of the Boyars [4:30]
Andante religioso* [5:57]
Suite from ‘Mascarade’ [27:54]
La Mélancolie [2:28]
Symphony No. 1 [35:25]
Marianne Thorsen (violin)*
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra/Neeme Järvi
rec. Greighallen, Bergan, Norway, 24 August-2 September 2009. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 10584 [76:48]
Halvorsen studied the violin under Brodsky, and composition in Berlin. He
became conductor of the Symphony Concerts in Bergen and subsequently Conductor
and Director of Music of the National Theatre, Kristiania (now Oslo). His
compositions were strongly influenced by his friend Grieg, whose niece he
married. His music is now largely forgotten and only the first piece of this
CD is reasonably well known outside Norway.
The Entry March of the Boyars was one of Halvorsen’s earliest
works. Grieg spotted the draft manuscript at the piano and after careful study
said ‘That was damn good!’ It was used as incidental music in
the theatre and two years later was published in a version for full symphony
orchestra. It is a fine march with just a tinge of the East.
‘Andante religioso’ (a premier recording) for violin and orchestra
reminds us that the composer was a very fine violinist. It was originally
written in for violin, organ and orchestra and first performed at a church
concert in 1899. An interesting work, it used to be very popular in Norway.
In 1922 a festival performance was planned for a performance, at the National
Theatre, of the comedy play ‘Masquerade’ by the Norwegian-Danish
playwright Ludvig Holberg - first performed in 1724. Halvorsen was assigned
to write the music for this production, where he was restricted for economical
reasons to a small orchestra of 15 players. Holberg’s play includes
much buffoonery, comedy and ballet - an ideal subject for the composer. Mostly
this is a pastiche of eighteenth century dance music with movements including
the ‘Cotillon’, ‘Gavotte’ and ‘Passpied’.
Much more fun is found in the grotesque ‘Hanedansen’ (The Dance
of the Cockerel) and in ‘Kehras’ (Bachanal) - where things really
go with a swing. It is interesting to compare this music with that composed
by Nielsen in 1906 for his opera based on the same play. There the music is
more contemporary than eighteenth century in style. It would be interesting
to know whether Halvorsen was familiar with Nielsen’s version.
‘La Mélancolie’ is an arrangement of a violin piece by
the Norwegian violin virtuoso/composer Ole Bull (1810-1880). It is presented
by Halvorsen for string orchestra and is short but moving, exhibiting considerable
feeling. It is one of Halvorsen’s most popular works.
The Symphony No. 1 in C minor was written in 1923 when Halvorsen was aged
60 and is in the late-Romantic style of composers - similar to Svendsen and
perhaps Dvořák. He knew that the work could be criticised as old-fashioned,
but he said ‘… I write it because I want to and don’t give
a damn about either the present time or posterity.’ The first movement
is dominated by a strong heroic theme and a secondary tune which also occurs
in the last movement. The second movement could have been written by Tchaikovsky
such is its romantic fervour. The Scherzo is fresh and original, with a trio
section reminiscent of a Norwegian folk-dance. The Finale is good humoured
and comes to an exciting conclusion. The influence of Svendsen is obvious,
but Halvorsen writes superior tunes!
This disc is a winner, and demonstrates that Halvorsen deserves much better
than to be known only as the composer of a good march. As a tunesmith he is
close to Grieg and deserves wider recognition outside Norway. Neeme Järvi
is one of the best conductors around and the Bergen Philharmonic responds
magnificently to his baton. A most enjoyable disc.
Arthur Baker
A most enjoyable disc.