Simax classics

In 1955 five wind players from the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra formed The Norwegian Wind Quintet (NWQ). Outstanding musicians which together and separately had a huge impact on the Norwegian music scene. This 2CD set presents a collection of their recordings for radio and other tracks available on CD for the first time.

At the most the NWQ had more than 50 works on their concert repertoire, and their"s is a classic example on how one ensemble can generate a massive growth in a particular section of the repertoire.

A musical dynamo with recordings and international tours

The quality, enthusiasm and drive of the NWQ very quickly caught on, both with the public and Norwegian composers. In the early years they recorded much repertoire for Scandinavian public broadcasters, like Hindemith, Schönberg and Nielsen, and commissioned many works.In the 1970s the group"s ambitions increased, and 1975 saw the release of their first solo LP, with works by Brustad, Kvandal, Sparre Olsen and Bibalo, available here for the first time on CD. The new works were given plenty exposure in concert tours and festivals like Warszawa Autumn, Marais festival in Paris and venues like Wigmore Hall.

The standards

This double CD offers a selection of works with which The Norwegian Wind Quintet had a special relationship. Carl Nielsen"s Blåsekvintett from 1922 is a key work in the wind quintet repertoire, and it is considered to be one of Nielsen"s most important chamber music works. Johan Fernström had a central position in Swedish music around the time of World War II, and completed his Blåsekvintett, op. 59 in 1943.

Norwegian commisions

Pauline Hall had a varied background from the years between the two wars, including studies in Paris where she became inspired by the French impressionist movement, a characteristic feature of many of her early works. Sparre Olsen"s Suite for tre treblåsere, op. 10, was composed during the war and published in 1946. Hagerup Bull completed studies in Paris with Darius Milhaud and wrote his woodwind trio in 1953. Johan Kvandal"s Blåsekvintett, op. 34 was composed in 1971, a turbulent period in Kvandal"s life. Bjarne Brustad"s piece from 1970 is neoclassical in style. The two quintets by Antonio Bibalo are very different in style and expression.