Hafliði Hallgrímsson
Passía
Mary Nessinger, mezzo-soprano · Gardar Thór Cortes, tenor · Hallgrímskirkja Motet Choir · Hallgrímskirkja Chamber Orchestra · Hördur Askelsson, conductor
Info & buy
Hafliði Hallgrímsson
Cello Concerto
Herma
Truls Mørk, cello
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
John Storgårds, conductor
Truls Mørk\
Track listing
2 tracks · 57:19Listen to samples on selected tracks.
Hafliði Hallgrímsson
- 1 Cello Concerto, Op. 30 (2003) 29:02
- 2 Herma, Op. 17, for cello and string orchestra (1995) 28:17
About this recording
The Norwegian star cellist Truls Mørk is known as a tireless champion of the very best contemporary music. On this release, his debut CD on Ondine, he portrays the Icelandic composer Hafliði Hallgrímsson (himself a professional cellist) with his two works for cello and orchestra, including Herma (1994; the name derives from a bust of Hermes used in ancient Greece as a good luck charm). Truls Mørk is joined by the forces of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, one of the finest ensembles of its kind, under the direction of John Storgårds.
This CD includes the first commercial recording of the Cello Concerto, which Hallgrímsson dedicated to Mørk in 2003. Ever since, Truls Mørk has championed the work in a number of performances across Europe to great acclaim; while The Times called it, "a remarkable new addition to the cello repertoire... one of his [Hallgrímsson's] finest work to date..." (Hilary Finch, The Times, 28 January 2004), Scotland's Herald spoke of, "a work of haunting beauty" (Michael Tumelty, The Herald, 26 January 2004).
This recording was supported by the Scottish Arts Council.
Features
Booklet with liner notes in English
Press
The Cello Concerto is a major addition to the modern repertoire. (...) Truls Mørk plays both pieces with rich tone, total confidence, and a sure sense of the music's expressive trajectory. (...) Ondine's sonics are excellent. Definitely worth getting to know.
David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com, May 2011, Artistic Quality 9 / Sound Quality 9
Truls Mørk projects the close-knit solo writing (in Herma) with his customary finesse, and he is no less insightful in the Cello Concerto (2003) dedicated to him. (...) the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, who respond with alacrity to the assured direction of John Storgårds. Excellent sound and decent notes help make this disc worth investigating by those who have enjoyed Hallgrímsson's understated individuality.
Richard Whitehouse, Gramophone, August 2009
The two concertos on this CD (...) exploit the instrument's potential for keening lyricism rather than anything overtly modernist. Mørk's cello playing, delicate yet forceful, is a treat in itself.
Ivan Hewett, The Daily Telegraph, June 25, 2009
These are two substantial, shapely and very beautiful pieces (...). Mørk revels in the lavish solo writing, while Storgårds elicits from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra playing of the highest order.
Stehen Pettitt, The Times, June 21, 2009
This disc is a real find - some startlingly fresh music in exceptional performances, and a rich, crystal-clear recording. (...) It's as if the soloist takes the listener by the hand and guides them through a strange landscape of entrhalling sounds and visions, conjured inspiringly by the SCO under John Storgårds. (...) Truls Mørk (...) is on exceptional from here. (...) Strongly recommended.
David Kettle, The Strad, June 2009, The Strad Recommends
This is (...) music of a very high order, wonderfully performed and recorded, and I recommend it to you with every enthusiasm.
Martin Anderson, International Record Review, May 2009
These two works are seminal in defining the rigorous integrity that filters through every pore of Hallgrímsson's music. (...) Mørk's realisation is gripping and inexorable, backed by sensitised support from Finnish conductor John Storgårds. These excellent recordings do full justice to a composer worth considerably more than his secondary reputation would suggest.
Kenneth Walton, The Scotsman, May 27, 2009
The artists
Truls Mørk
Truls Mørk's reputation as a cellist of fierce intensity and grace has been built on performances throughout the world. He is a celebrated artist who performs with the most distinguished orchestras, including the Berlin and Munich Philharmonics, Royal Concertgebouw, Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Staatskapelle Dresden, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, and Wiener Symphoniker. In North America he has worked with the orchestras of Boston, Los Angeles, New York Philharmonic, Chicago, and Cleveland, among others.
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) was formed in 1974 with a commitment to serve the Scottish community. Now one of Scotland's foremost cultural ambassadors, it tours regularly in Europe, the Far East and the USA and is recognised for its innovatory approach to music-making and programme-planning. It performs throughout Scotland, including an annual tour of the Highlands and Islands, and appears regularly at the BBC Proms and the Edinburgh International, St Magnus, Cheltenham and Aldeburgh Festivals.