Munch: Henning Kraggerud: Limited edition: includes 15 Munch reproductions

A wonderful project...Intensity and melancholy rule, as might be expected — but Kraggerud’s playing is so vivid that, paradoxically, the listener is exhilarated. — The Times, 12th October 2013, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 23rd Sep 2013
Catalogue No: PSC1322
Label: Simax

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Müller, F: Munch’s Traum(a)

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Kernis: A Dance of Life

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Seabourne: Meeting

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Paus, M: The Ladies on the Bridge

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Kleiberg: Ashes

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Kukal: Aftenstund

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Hakim, N: Fantasia over Unge mennesker på stranden

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Firsova, E: Moonlight over the Sea

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Martinsson, R: Landscape

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Kahane: Étude - Cobalt Cure

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Tzanou: Blick auf das Meer

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Nelson, D: Man and Woman

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Kováč: Two People. The Lonely

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Thommessen: Kyss på stranden i måneskinn

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

Petitgirard: Trees on the Beach

Henning Kraggerud (violin)

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About

Munch Suite is a unique recording from acclaimed violinist Henning Kraggerud being released to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the painter Edvard Munch. It features 15 new solo pieces, every one directly inspired by a specific painting by the great Norwegian artist. Each piece has been written by a different composer, in this case some important figures on the international contemporary music scene including Aaron Jay Kernis, Alissa Firsova and Laurent Petitgirard. The CD is presented in a de-luxe edition box that includes reproductions of each painting depicted in the suite.

The idea to let contemporary composers interpret Edvard Munch’s iconic artworks came from the director of the Vestfold International Festival. Violinist Henning Kraggerud immediately saw the artistic potential of the project and the result is a solo suite that reflects the unique position of Munch’s work as musical inspiration. The Munch Suite features premiere recordings of 15 pieces specially written by leading contemporary composers including Aaron Jay Kernis, Naji Hakim, Olav Anton Thommessen and Rolf Martinsson. The list includes English composer Peter Seabourne and the British-Russian composer Alissa Firsova, daughter of Elena Firsova.

The work was first heard during the exhibition ‘Love’s Beach’ in 2010 at the Haugar Art Museum near the Åsgårdstrand shores, the place where Munch found motifs for many of his paintings. A small gallery able to accommodate an audience of only 60, each piece was performed in front of ‘its own’ painting. In connection with the release of the Munch Suite on CD, Kraggerud has developed an exclusive concert performance in which images of the paintings are projected.

Reviews

12th October 2013

A wonderful project...Intensity and melancholy rule, as might be expected — but Kraggerud’s playing is so vivid that, paradoxically, the listener is exhilarated.

2nd November 2013

this Simax package is a thing of beauty. No jewel case, but a handsome, matt-black box, containing 15 glossy cards...Listening to the whole disc in one sitting isn't recommended – you're much better dipping in and out over several days. Kraggerud's playing is consistently marvellous

Munch: Henning Kraggerud

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