Ensemble 96 & Belarusian State Chamber Orchestra, Ingo Ernst Reihl
CD
$16.75
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A seductive and fascinating disc for fans of contemporary music, this collection of works for Bassoon with choir and orchestra feature works by British composer Stephen Frost and Norwegian composer Kjell Mørk Karlsen.
The disc’s title work Parapraxis, for solo bassoon and choir, melds together a mix of sacred Latin text and secular English poetry, pushing and playing with the illusory ‘boundary’ that seems to exist between the two. The other two works – Frost’s Bassoon Concerto and Karlsen’s Serenata – are beguiling and stimulating pieces that show off the talents of Norwegian bassoonist Sigyn Birkeland and the Belarusian State Chamber Orchestra.
In demand as a soloist, Sigyn Birkeland has been Principal Bassoon in the Norwegian Radio Orchestra since 1992. She continues to champion the instrument by commissioning, performing and recording new works for the instrument in a variety of unique ensembles and settings.
27th May 2011
****
“Sigyn Birkeland has put together an intriguing programme of modern bassoon pieces. Stephen Frost's "Parapraxis" blends Latin and English lyrics, sung by a restrained choir as the bassoon probes furtively in the orchestral undergrowth...Kjell Mørk Karlsen's "Serenata" has a tragic quality, which in the final section blends an Iberian flavour with menacing flourishes reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann's Psycho soundtrack.”
