LYDEN FRA ARKTIS
Arctic Saxophone er det andre albumet hvor Ola Asdahl Rokkones (f.1983) presenterer tre førstegangsinnspillinger av klassiske saksofonkonserter som han har bestilt. Albumtittelen Arctic Saxophone refererer ikke bare til hans hjemby Tromsø, men også til de tre komponistene som alle har en link til Arktis. De to norske, Alexander Aarøen og Terje Bjørklund, kommer begge fra Nord-Norge, mens den russiske komponisten Alexander Manotskov hentet sin inspirasjon fra den russiske byen Arkhangelsk.
Sammen med Arktisk Filharmoni og dirigent Per Kristian Skalstad, utforsker vi tre forskjellige tilnærminger til den delikate kombinasjonen av altsaksofon og strykeorkester. The Heart, It Soars (2019) av Alexander Aarøen (f.1993) kommer lett til lytteren med gjenkjennelige melodier og tema, og er en sprudlende hyllest til livet og kjærligheten. Seven Portraits (2011) av Alexander Manotskov (f.1972), er en leken konsert der hver av de syv korte satsene står frem med stadig skiftende karakterer, alle med navn etter de syv erkeenglene i den ortodokse kirken. Manotskov utforsker nesten alle mulige klanger og muligheter på saksofon, slik som i 6. sats, Rafael (spor 9), hvor saksofonen spilles uten munnstykke mens orkesteret spiller speilvendt på instrumentene sine. Terje Bjørklund (f.1945) er en internasjonalt anerkjent komponist, og har også vært en av nøkkelpersonene i utviklingen av det norske jazzmiljøet. I sitt verk Arctic Lines (2020) hører vi mange forskjellige innflytelser, slik som fra den moderne skandinaviske jazztradisjonen og fra samisk musikk, i tillegg til Vivaldi og baltiske komponister.
Ettersom saksofonen ble funnet opp for seint til å bli omfavnet av de mest kjente klassiske komponistene, har det vært desto viktigere å utfordre nålevende komponister til å skrive ny musikk for instrumentet. Gjennom en voksende diskografi følger Ola Asdahl Rokkones opp sin del av dette ansvaret. Han har vært solist med flere orkestre, og har bestilt og urfremført musikk av en rekke komponister. Han er også en av få saksofonister som jobber både innenfor klassisk og jazz.
THE SOUND OF THE ARCTIC
Arctic Saxophone is the second album where Ola Asdahl Rokkones (b.1983) premieres three new classical saxophone concertos commissioned by him. The album title Arctic Saxophone is not only a reference to his hometown Tromsø, but also to the three composers on this recording that all have some link to the Arctic. The two Norwegian composers Alexander Aarøen and Terje Bjørklund both originate from Northern Norway, and the Russian composer Alexander Manotskov caught his inspiration from the Russian city of Arkhangelsk.
Together with Arktisk Filharmoni and conductor Per Kristian Skalstad, we explore three different approaches to the delicate combination of alto saxophone and string orchestra. The Heart, It Soars (2019) by Alexander Aarøen (b.1993) easily reaches the listener with recognisable melodies and themes, and is a joyful ode to life and love. Seven Portraits (2011) by Alexander Manotskov (b.1972), is a playful concerto with constantly shifting characters through the seven brief movements, all named after the seven archangels of the Orthodox Church. Manotskov investigates almost all possible timbres and possibilities of the saxophone, such as in the 6th movement Raphael (track 9) where the saxophone is played without mouthpiece while the orchestra is challenged to play inversely. Terje Bjørklund (b.1945) is an internationally renowned composer, and has also been a key person in developing the Norwegian jazz scene. In his work Arctic Lines (2020) we get a blend of elements from the modern Scandinavian jazz tradition, and influences from Sámi music as well as Vivaldi and contemporary Baltic composers.
As the saxophone was invented too late to be embraced by the most famous classical composers, it has been even more important to challenge living composers to write new music for the instrument. Through his increasing discography, Ola Asdahl Rokkones is sincerely following up his responsibility. He has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras, and has commissioned and premiered music by numerous composers. He is also one of few saxophonists working within the fields of both classical music and jazz.
ANMELDELSER/REVIEWS:
"Rokkones spiller hvert verk med stor dyktighet; han har en nydelig varm tone og mestrer de tekniske utfordringene i hvert stykke med letthet. Arktisk Filharmoni er ideelle partnere, en fremragende strykergruppe som knapt står tilbake for sine mer kjente rivaler i Bergen og Oslo. En fantastisk plate, varmt spilt produsert." Stephen Ronaldson, klasisiksmusikk.com, 11.10.2023
"The saxophone sounds so beautiful in this orchestral setting, it’s part of Rokkones’ goal of having the saxophone more fully accepted into the classical repertoire, just like what was happening in the early mid 20th century." abc Australia Classic Drive, 09.10.2023
"[...] For his new album “Arctic Saxophone”, he has used a string orchestra and commissioned another three concertos. This time he has stayed closer to home: the Arktisk Filharmoni is based in Tromsø (and also in Bodø). The results are far better than on the first album, not least because these string players play with such superb energy and commitment. It was recorded in lockdown when the orchestral players, whose schedules are normally fixed a few years in advance, were suddenly available. All three concertos consist of easily accessible, tonal music; there's nothing to frighten the elks or the terns. Both of the Norwegian composers clearly know their Grieg Holberg Suite, and listeners who know and like the clarinet concertos from the twentieth century with string orchestra - those of Copland or Finzi, for example – will be instantly at ease in the idiom of both of these concertos.[...] Ola Asdahl Rokkones has done something remarkable in commissioning these works, since there are so few worthwhile saxophone concertos around. It will be fascinating to see if a higher-profile player such as Jess Gillam or Asya Fateyeva will be interested (or indeed permitted) to give them wider currency." Sebastian Scotney, theartsdesk.com, 13.10.2023
RADIO
https://radio.nrk.no/serie/klassisk-vorspiel/sesong/202310/MKKL10004123#t=27m7s
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/classic-drive/classic-drive/102904714
ALEXANDER AARØEN (*1993)
The Heart, It Soars (2019)
1) The Autumn of Childhood /// 07:18
2) Spring /// 11:37
3) All Seasons Must Pass /// 03:19
ALEXANDER MANOTSKOV (*1972)
Seven Portraits (2011)
4) Michael /// 04:59
5) Jegudiel /// 03:49
6) Gabriel /// 03:49
7) Barachiel /// 04:44
8) Sealtiel /// 06:37
9) Raphael /// 03:21
10) Uriel /// 02:55
TERJE BJØRKLUND (*1945)
Arctic Lines (2020)
11) Short Sami Song /// 01:33
12) Arctic Winds /// 04:28
13) Arctic Landscapes /// 04:46
14) Fighting with the Polar Bear /// 05:13
15) Arctic November /// 04:52
16) Sami Song /// 03:03
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