Bassoonist Per Hannevold inspired three divergent works for his instrument from the composers assembled for this collection. David Maslanka’s Sonata for Bassoon and Piano presents an unusually lyrical side of the instrument, with tender and touching themes in the first two movements, while the finale gallops along in the manner of Shostakovich. In his Portrait of a Family, Oivind Westby devises a set of five character dances depicting the Father, Mother, First Born Son, Dancing Daughter, and Little Brother. These are mainly traditional European classical dance forms, with only the First Born Son’s asymmetrical meter hinting at modern times. Things get really modern in James Lassen’s Strange Interlude No. 3, with its nod toward jazz and rock in the second movement. Most interestingly, Lassen has the bassoon imitating rock-guitar riffs, a feat that Hannevold pulls off with unerring technique.
The same technical prowess enhances all of the works on the disc, made more impressive by Hannevold’s chameleon-like adaptation to the stylistic demands of whatever the piece in question. He’s ideally partnered by Torleif Torgersen in the Sonata and Strange Interlude, while the Bergen Chamber Ensemble performs with its own special flair in Portrait of a Family. Edvard Grieg’s house apparently makes an excellent recording venue, as the sound is spacious, present, and nicely detailed. A most delightful disc–both for bassoon aficionados and everyone else. [8/4/2006]
