Together with pianist Ivar Anton Waagaard, renowned harmonica player Sigmund Groven presents an intimate album of classical duets. Featuring compositions originally composed for the two respective instruments, plus individual songs and piano pieces specially arranged for them, much of the repertoire here has its roots in the folk music of England, Romania, Norway and Greece. Also included are two compositions by Groven himself, plus pieces by respected fellow harmonica practitioners, Tommy Reilly and James Moody. The album was recorded in the legendary Rainbow Studio with Jan Erik Kongshaug at the control desk.
For more than four decades Sigmund Groven has enjoyed an international career as soloist, composer and recording artist. He was born in Norway into a musical family; his uncle Eivind Groven was a famous composer. With his mentor Tommy Reilly, he appeared in concert and on radio and TV throughout Europe and North America and his discography of 20 albums includes the Sir George Martin produced album, ‘PhilHarmonica’.
Sigmund Groven’s concert work includes performances with many of Europe’s top orchestras, including the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and radio symphony orchestras in London, Berlin, Munich, Stockholm, and Oslo. As an indication of the high esteem in which Groven is held, several composers have dedicated works to him: Terje Rypdal, John Surman, James Moody, Johan Kvandal, Øistein Sommerfeldt, and Siegfried Steinkogler.
[i[“In the right hands the harmonica can be an instrument of great beauty and sophistication. Sigmund Groven, like Tommy Reilly and Larry Adler before him, makes full use of the wide range and tonal expressions that the harmonica is capable of. His musicianship is superb, and he now unquestionably reigns supreme as one of the finest exponents of the harmonica in the world.” Sir George Martin
