Poul Rovsing Olsen: Piano Concerto; Symphonic Variations; Au Fond de la Nuit / Christina Bjørkøe, piano

Recommendation

Of currently available titles, this release makes three on the Dacapo label which include music of Poul Rovsing Olsen. It is the first of his orchestral oeuvre, which is considered his finest area of output. There are three significant works here, Olsen's Variations Symphoniques, Op. 27, the Piano Concerto, Op. 31 and Au fond da la Nuit for chamber orchestra. These premiere recordings are performed by the Odense Symphony Orchestra under conductor and composer Bo Holten with Christina Bjørkøe the fine piano soloist in the concerto.

Danish composer Poul Rovsing Olsen (1922-1982) was a noted ethnomusicologist who also held a law degree from Copenhagen University. He studied composition in Paris with Nadia Boulanger and Olivier Messiaen and produced 85 numbered works in most every genre from songs and chamber music to operas, ballets and orchestral works. Although he had experimented with the twelve-tone technique around the time of writing both the Symphonic Variations and the Piano Concerto, both works remain products of conventional tonality, albeit an extended version. These two pieces are also characterized by rhythmic intensity, colorful - if somewhat dark - orchestration and a certain open-ended feeling of suspense, effectively achieved through protracted sections of development (the master of this technique being Sibelius).

While these first two works on the program (both from the mid-50's) are from quite similar sound worlds, the concluding Au Fond de la Nuit (In the depth of the night) of 1968 shows an evolution to the composer's style, with more kaleidoscopic coloration, an expressive austerity, agitated rhythmic patterns and a tonal backdrop which is significantly more modern. His music has become more French sounding here, and the influence of Messiaen is unmistakable. In four movements, the piece describes a journey into space and was premiered 'just six months before man took his first steps on the Moon in July 1969' (Teresa Waskowska from the album notes).

There is quite a bit of music on this CD that I would love to share with you, but in the end, decisions must be made. I hope you enjoy the opening to Variations Symphoniques (please pardon the fade), which is fairly representative of about three-quarters of the album, the remaining quarter (Au Fond de la Nuit) sounding more on the modern side. I've spun this CD many times - these are substantial and intriguing works, given exceptional performances and captured in excellent sound.

Album Overview

The Danish composer Poul Rovsing Olsen's (1922-82) background was in the Danish-French tradition, and his works are typified by clear-cut rhythms, expressive melody lines and colourful tonal effects. This world premiere recording of his dazzling Concerto pour Piano et Orchestre together with his two major orchestral works Variations Symphoniques and Au Fond de la Nuit features pianist Christina Bjørkøe accompanied by the Odense Symphony Orchestra and conductor Bo Holten.

Source: Dacapo

Poul Rovsing Olsen, composer	Poul Rovsing Olsen, composer Poul Rovsing Olsen (1922-1982) studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, graduating in music theory and piano in 1946. Two years later he took a new degree in law at the University of Copenhagen. Thus equipped for the world, he went off to Paris, where he continued his musical studies with the famous teacher Nadia Boulanger and the composer Olivier Messiaen. www.dacapo-records.dk
Christina Bjørkøe, piano	Christina Bjørkøe, piano Christina Bjørkøe began playing the piano at the age of 5. She was a pupil of Therese Koppel until 1990, then at the age of 19 was admitted to the Juilliard School of Music in New York as a pupil of Seymour Lipkin. Later she concluded her studies with Anne Øland at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, where she made her debut in 1997. At the age of 16 she was already performing as a soloist with an orchestra… www.dacapo-records.dk
Bo Holten, conductor	Bo Holten, conductor Bo Holten was born in 1948 and in his native Denmark he is equally known as a conductor and composer. He has an international reputation as a leading specialist in early music, especially with regard to vocal polyphony. In 1991 he was appointed Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers, London, with whom he has worked on a regular basis every year. www.ficta.dk/Bo%20Holten.Eng.html
Odense Symphony Orchestra	Odense Symphony Orchestra  The Odense Symphony Orchestra – one of Denmarks five regional orchestras – was established in 1946, but it’s roots go all the way back to about the year 1800. From being a theatre orchestra that also played symphonic music the orchestra today is a continuously developing and expanding modern symphony orchestra with 73 permanent musicians and a high level of activity. http://odensesymfoni.dk/

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