The title of this stupendously successful collection–Norwegian Classical Favorites 2–is wildly inappropriate: “Barely Known Norwegian Classical Music” might be more apt, but I can think of several others even more accurate. For example, Saeverud’s The Devil’s Five-Hop and Hymn against the Boyg alongside Halvorsen’s Entry of the Trolls into the Blue Mountain and Dance of the Little Trolls could anchor “Popular Norwegian Classics about Monsters and Satan”. Edvard Fliflet’s Out Towards the Sea and Fartein Valen’s The Churchyard by the Sea obviously suggest a new compilation: “Norway’s Most Revered Classical Music about Water”. Change the last two words of this title to “about Liquids” and you can add Geirr Tveitt’s delicious Hardanger Ale. The Valen piece also clearly belongs in “Popular Norwegian Light Atonal Greatest Hits”.
Saeverud’s Mixed Company (like the previous two numbers, taken from his dis-Griegian Peer Gynt music) deserves pride of place in Volume 6 of “Norwegian Classical Hits Ironically Quoting National Anthems and Songs from Lots of Other Countries”. Gjerstrom’s Legend, Groven’s At Evening, and Irgens-Jensens’ gorgeous Bol’s Song suggest “Obscure Norwegian Music for Quiet Listening”, while Sommerfelt’s Little Overture and Groven’s Hjalarljod Overture could have starring roles in, you guessed it, “Unbelievably Famous Norwegian Light Overtures”. Now that we’ve flogged this particular point to death (and speaking of “Beloved Norwegian Classics about Flogging and Other Forms of Torture and Oppression”, did I mention Saeverud’s The Ballad of Revolt?) it only remains to point out that all of the music here is terrific and well worth hearing, and the performances are outstanding by any standard.
Conductor Bjarte Engeset characterizes to the hilt this colorful assortment of pieces. He raises the roof in the big numbers, with the Iceland Symphony playing its collective heart out, and savors every juicy bit of the more lyrical items. Best of all, Naxos’ sonics are sensationally vivid, warmly natural, and just plain thrilling. Yes, the title may be silly, but the music-making most definitely is not, and you won’t find a more enjoyable and enterprising CD of excellent small pieces on any label at any price. I can hardly wait for Volume 3, and can’t even imagine what might be on it–but may I suggest changing the title to “Norwegian Miniature Classics That No One, Including Most Norwegians, Probably Even Knew Existed but Will Definitely Be Happy to Encounter”? That’s more the ticket, I should think. [6/17/2004]
