Mazurka Researching Chopin - Asheim, Nils Henrik (piano)

 

 

PÅ LETING ETTER CHOPIN

For tre år siden utga Nils Henrik Asheim "Mazurka –  Remaking Chopin" sammen med Gjertruds Sigøy-nerorkester. Denne utgivelsen, som ble belønnet med Spellemannsprisen, presenterte Chopin i svært frie, folkemusikk-inspirerte versjoner.

På den nye platen, som har undertittelen ”Researching Chopin”, har Asheim gått på leting etter den opprinnelige Chopin i et gammelt instrument. Det oppsto nemlig et kjærlighetsforhold mellom Asheim og taffelpianoet fra 1830 på Ulefos Hovedgaard, der forrige CD ble innspilt.  Blant de 23 mazurkaene på den nye innspillingen finner vi altså "fasiten" til forrige CD, men også noen tillegg.

Collard & Collard-pianoet gir en helt spesiell intimitet og nerve til denne musikken – som inkluderer noen av Chopins kjente og kjære numre, men også noe av det mer gåtefulle han har skrevet. Kanskje nettopp et instrument fra Chopins egen tid kan løfte bort litt av sløret.

Nils Henrik Asheim (1960-) er utdannet ved Norges Musikkhøgskole og Sweelinck-konservatoriet i Amsterdam. Hans produksjon omfatter verk for kammerensembler, symfoniorkester, kor, teater, elektronisk musikk og happeninger i utendørsrom. Han har mottatt Arne Nordheims komponistpris, Lindemanprisen og Edvardprisen samt to ganger Spellemannsprisen.  Etter å ha etablert seg som en av Norges ledende komponister, har Nils Henrik Asheim utvidet sin virksomhet med en utøverkarriere både som organist og pianist.  Hans er kjent for sin originale improvisasjonsstil på kirkeorgel. Siden september 2012 er han ansatt som organist i det nye Stavanger Konserthus.

 

SEARCHING FOR CHOPIN

Three years ago, Nils Henrik Asheim, in collaboration with Gjertrud’s Gypsy Orchestra, released an album entitled “Mazurka – Remaking Chopin”. That release, which was awarded the Norwegian Grammy (“Spellemannsprisen”), explored Chopin Mazurkas by creating free versions inspired by traditional music.

On this new album, which bears the subtitle “Researching Chopin”, Asheim has gone in search of Chopin on an historic instrument. At Ulefos Hovedgaard, where the first CD was recorded, he fell in love with the Collard  &  Collard  square  piano  from the 1830s. Among the 23 mazurkas on this new recording we find the “key” to the previous CD, but also something added.

The Collard & Collard piano lends a special intimacy and ardour to this music – which includes some of Chopin’s familiar and beloved numbers, but also something from his more puzzling works. Played on an instrument from Chopin’s own time, they can, perhaps, seem less enigmatic.

Nils Henrik Asheim (b. 1960) was educated at the Norwegian Academy of Music and Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. His production encompasses works for chamber ensembles, symphony orchestras, choirs, theatre, electronic music, and happenings in public spaces. He has been the recipient of the Arne Nordheim Composer’s Prize, the Lindeman Prize, and the Edvard Prize. Moreover, he has, on two occasions, been awarded the Norwegian Grammy (“Spellemannsprisen”). After having established himself as one of Norway’s leading composers, Nils Henrik Asheim has broadened his performance career both as organist and pianist. He is known for his original improvisational style on the church organ, and since September, 2012, he has held the position of organist in the new Stavanger Concert Hall.

 

ANMELDELSER/REVIEWS

Pick of the month
"Norwegian pianist Nils Henrik Asheim has been engaged in an ongoing — and maybe slightly mystical — search for the essence of Chopin’s piano music, focusing on his mazurkas. As a follow-up to his previous effort along these lines (Mazurka: Remaking Chopin, which found him creating new versions of the pieces) he has taken a new tack, this time interpreting them more strictly but using a period instrument: a 1830s Collard & Collard square piano. As is often the case with performances using period instruments, the unique sound of this one sheds new light on the sound and shape of Chopin’s music, and the recording is both historically interesting and aesthetically delightful. Highly recommended to all classical collections."
Nils Henrik Asheim - CD Hotlist

Skjør perfeksjon
"For hver nye dreining, hver masurka, kom ulike mønstre til syne, med ulike elementer forstørret."
Ida Habbestad - Aftenposten

 "Nils Henrik Asheim chooses a superb, characterful piano from the 1830s for his hour of Chopin mazurkas. He also, happily, chooses many of my favourite pieces, creating a good, very worthwhile recital."
Brian Reinhart - International Music Web