Øystein BAADSVIK (b. 1966)
Concerto for Tuba and Chamber Orchestra (2012) [22:41]
Jon Øivind NESS (b. 1968)
Bogey Thresher for tuba and orchestra (2011) [23:32]
Christian LINDBERG (b. 1958)
Panda in Love, concerto for tuba and orchestra (2007-2010) [21:19]
Øystein Baadsvik (tuba)
Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra/Christian Lindberg
rec. January 2012 (Ness), February 2013 (Baadsvik, Lindberg), Harstad Kulturhus, Norway
Reviewed as a 24/96 download
Pdf booklet and inlay card included
BIS BIS-SACD-2005 [68:34]
I first heard the fearless Norwegian tuba player Øystein Baadsvik
in the Aho concerto (review).
I say fearless, for anyone who’s brave enough to play this instrument
in a solo capacity deserves a medal of some kind. He’s since recorded
several tuba discs for BIS – the Aho piece was subsequently reissued
on BIS-SACD-1685 - all of which have found favour on these pages. The
master of ceremonies here is the indefatigable Christian Lindberg, who
has impressed me a great deal as both trombonist and conductor; in the
latter role his recent Stenhammar recording deserves special praise (review).
The Arctic Philharmonic, one of the world’s newest – it was
formed in 2009 – also has the distinction of being the most northerly
on the planet. It’s not a band I’ve encountered before, but
given Lindberg’s work with diverse ensembles – most recently
the Royal Flemish Philharmonic – I’d say they are in very
capable hands. That’s evident in the three-movement Baadsvik concerto
which although not an instant hit grows more delightful with each hearing.
Directed with commendable flair and enthusiasm the piece also highlights
Baadsvik the soloist’s dexterity and finesse. His secure, nicely
nuanced tone us nothing short of remarkable; the essentially songful central
movement and its quiet, sustained close are simply gorgeous.
What I find endearing about this concerto is that it never overworks its
material or outstays its welcome; that’s more than I can say for
the stern, somewhat lugubrious Ness piece, a Baadsvik commission. Curiously
the start brings to mind the deathly tread of Mahler’s Abschied;
not what Ness intended, I’m sure. The liner-notes rather unhelpfully
describe his current style as a blend of ‘post punk and ambient
music’. I’m bemused by such statements, especially when they
don’t offer an obvious entrée to the music being
played. The composer doesn’t help by describing the title thus:
‘Bogey Thresher is a threshing machine for ghosts, i.e. a machine
designed to harvest spectres.’ Despite some virtuosic playing from
Baadsvik there’s rather more chaff than wheat here.
Lindberg is not at all precocious about Panda in Love, which
he explains is nothing more than a juxtaposition of personal experiences
and ‘mental images’. I suspect if instruments were animals
the tubby tuba might just qualify as an Ailuropoda melanoleuca;
indeed, the instrument’s full, ripe lower registers are very much
to the fore and this, together with nimble rhythms, whoops and scale-like
passages, makes for an inventive and witty display. The recording is equally
impressive, although it does benefit from some extra ‘wellie’
— i.e. volume.
Two of the three concertos are well worth hearing; Baadsvik shines throughout.
Dan Morgan
http://twitter.com/mahlerei
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