Aurora

The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra is a vital part of the Norwegian new music scene, and this Gramophone Award winning ensemble means business - whether it is playing Haydn or Hegdal. Three commissions written especially for the NCO are premiered on this release.

This year Thommessen turns 60, and the title track on this CD is Thommessen"s fascinating Corelli Machine. Thommessen"s enthusiasm for Corelli as an innovator, indeed as the creator of the concerto grosso form, is typically infectious and exuberant: "To say "Corelli" then was like saying "Ferrari" today. He was the instigator of an entirely new style. The purpose of this anniversary-celebrating work will be to uncover Corelli." The Italian master is present throughout the course of Thommessen"s machine. He meditates over Corelli"s material, "enlarging and expanding," in the composer"s own words.

Finding form

The music of Hegdal"s Form has a strong element of retrospection: shadows from the past, memories - both on a personal and historical level. To some degree the music has been formed by the composer, but according to Hegdal himself much of it has found its form gradually as the material has evolved.

Non-ceremonious serenade and a vast musical landscape

A serenade is frequently associated with a somewhat ceremonious sort of expression. Hvoslef"s string serenade is, in fact, precisely the opposite - in all possible ways. Unobtrusive, soft, warm. Captivating the listener through restrained energy, saving the major outbursts for where they absolutely must occur.Like many of Xenakis" works, the title Aroura comes from ancient Greek. "Aroura" represents a measure of land in the ancient system of lengths and weights, corresponding to approximately 2700 square meters, or "the ground covered by a yoke of ploughing oxen in one day." Aroura may be experienced as a vast musical landscape. But this landscape is neither barren or flat, as there is continual budding growth, as if under pressure.

Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and Terje Tønnesen

Terje Tønnessen has lead the orchestra from the start in 1977, from 1981 to 2001 with Iona Brown as artistic leader. Together they have given the orchestra continuity and great artistic growth. Touring all over the world guest artists have included Maurice André, Leif Ove Andsnes, Joshua Bell, James Galway, Radu Lupu, Joanna MacGregor, Angela Hewitt, Andrew Manze, Truls Mørk and Thomas Zehetmair. Several of NCO´s recordings have been awarded prizes both nationally and internationally, including a Gramophone Award in 2000 for their recording of three of Haydn´s piano concertos with Leif Ove Andsnes. The same recording was nominated for a Grammy Award 2001 in two categories.