Immerse yourself in the captivating vocal journey of Per Nørgård's "Songs from Evening Land," a mesmerizing exploration of six decades of the composer's work, reimagined in new instrumentations. This album, released in 2013 under the Dacapo label, is a testament to the extraordinary collaboration between Nørgård and Danish mezzo-soprano Helene Gjerris, who brings his avant-garde and neoclassical compositions to life with stunning artistry.
Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 19 minutes, the album features a diverse range of pieces, from the hauntingly beautiful "Two Recitatives" to the evocative "Plutonian Ode" and the tender "Three Love Songs." Each track showcases Nørgård's unique ability to delve into the deepest and most profound corners of human emotion, creating a sound that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
"Songs from Evening Land" is not just a collection of songs, but a sonic exploration that reflects Nørgård's endless incursions and excursions through the labyrinths of sound. The album is divided into several sections, each offering a different perspective on Nørgård's musical vision. The first part, "Songs from Evening Land," features three songs that evoke the mysterious and enchanting atmosphere of the evening. The second part, "Developments," showcases Nørgård's evolution as a composer, while the third part, "Day and Night," explores the contrasts and connections between light and darkness, life and death.
Throughout the album, Gjerris's powerful and expressive voice is accompanied by a chamber ensemble, creating a rich and textured soundscape that is both intimate and expansive. The result is a musical experience that is as thought-provoking as it is beautiful, offering a glimpse into the mind of one of the most innovative and influential composers of our time. Whether you're a longtime fan of Nørgård's work or a newcomer to his music, "Songs from Evening Land" is an album that is sure to captivate and inspire.
2013 Dacapo2013 Dacapo
Tracks
2 Recitatives, Op. 16: No. 1, Jag lyssnar till vindenPer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Toke Møldrup
Entwicklungen: No. 1, KindheitPer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Jesper Lutzhoft, Gert Sorensen, Toke Møldrup
Entwicklungen: No. 2, Die GenesendePer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Jesper Lutzhoft, Gert Sorensen, Toke Møldrup
Plutonian Ode: Introduction. RecitationPer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Toke Møldrup
Plutonian Ode: I. RecitationPer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Toke Møldrup
Plutonian Ode: II. AriaPer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Toke Møldrup
3 Chansons: No. 1, Le sommeilPer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann
3 Chansons: No. 2, Les corbeauxPer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann
3 Chansons: No. 3, La terrePer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann
3 kaerlighedssange (3 Love Songs) [version for mezzo-soprano and chamber ensemble]: No. 1, L'etoile a pleure rosePer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Tine Rehling, Anne Marie Abildskov, Jesper Lutzhoft, Gert Sorensen, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
3 kaerlighedssange (3 Love Songs) [version for mezzo-soprano and chamber ensemble]: No. 2, Wie soll ich meine Seele haltenPer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Tine Rehling, Anne Marie Abildskov, Jesper Lutzhoft, Gert Sorensen, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
3 kaerlighedssange (3 Love Songs) [version for mezzo-soprano and chamber ensemble]: No. 3, Opfer [fragment]Per Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Tine Rehling, Anne Marie Abildskov, Jesper Lutzhoft, Gert Sorensen, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
Day and Night: No. 1, A KillPer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Toke Møldrup, Anne Marie Abildskov
Day and Night: No. 2, Silversweet SoundPer Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Toke Møldrup, Anne Marie Abildskov
Solen sa jeg (I saw the Sun) [version for mezzo-soprano, flute, violin, viola and cello]Per Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
Sanger fran Aftonland, Op. 17: Pt. I: No. 1: Allt ar sa underligt fjarran i dag (Songs from Evening Land)Per Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Tine Rehling, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
Sanger fran Aftonland, Op. 17: Pt. I: No. 2: Du manniska som star vid stranden av mig (Songs from Evening Land)Per Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Tine Rehling, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
Sanger fran Aftonland, Op. 17: Pt. I: No. 3: Det ar om aftonen man bryter upp (Songs from Evening Land)Per Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Tine Rehling, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
Sanger fran Aftonland, Op. 17: Pt. II: No. 1: Preludio (Songs from Evening Land)Per Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Tine Rehling, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
Sanger fran Aftonland, Op. 17: Pt. II: No. 2: Nu ar det sommermorgon (Songs from Evening Land)Per Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Tine Rehling, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
Sanger fran Aftonland, Op. 17: Pt. II: No. 3: Tacka vill jag (Songs from Evening Land)Per Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Tine Rehling, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
Sanger fran Aftonland, Op. 17: Pt. III: Det ar om aftonen man bryter upp (Songs from Evening Land)Per Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Ulla Miilmann, Tine Rehling, Johannes Søe Hansen, Lotte Wallevik, Toke Møldrup, Casper Schreiber
Abendlied (Arr. For vocals and gamelan as Schlafen gehen, Schmerz und Not)Per Nørgård, Helene Gjerris, Gert Sorensen
Per Nørgård, a titan of Danish and international music, left an indelible mark on the 20th and 21st-century musical landscape with his vast and innovative compositions. Born in 1932, Nørgård's career spanned over seven decades, during which he created more than 400 works across all genres, from symphonies and operas to chamber and choral music. Often hailed as the foremost musical Dane since Carl Nielsen, Nørgård's music is a deeply personal journey through the sonic worlds he explored throughout his life. His unique voice, blending neoclassical and avant-garde elements, has inspired countless composers and continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Nørgård's legacy is not just his extensive catalog but also his influence as a patriarchal figure in Nordic music, shaping the musical landscape with his originality and breadth of work.
Vinylscout
Per Nørgård
