Music for a Long Winter Night

"The Long, Long, Winter Night" is the title of an album of piano music from Norway, chosen with care by the brilliant young pianist of the day - Leif Ove Andsnes. He is now at the top of his fame as one of the most distinguished world class concert pianists.

A customer writes:

To explore the culture of your homeland with the sophistication and dedication that Andsnes expresses on the album deserves a Nobel Prize.

Painting capturing the mood of a long winter night

This dynamic young Norwegian pianist escews cultural imperialism and exploitation and gives pride to those who recognise the depth and value of the music that has evolved over time in this seemingly far far land.

This collection of Norwegian music, echoing so often the dynamics of the landscape and psychological interrogation of the nature of time ~ long long winter nights, and by implication long long summer days.

Andsnes bears witness to the craft and creativity of his forebearers with style beautifully expressing their ideas and ambitions.

A wonderfully powerful cd. Enjoy!

And another reviewer writes:

For me, this is the piano disc of the year thus far. EMI was smart to call it The long, long winter night –

"Norwegian piano music" would have been a hard sell, even though that is exactly what this disc is about.

As such, it is chock-full of discoveries, and so it is easy to recommend this disc, even to the collector who has (almost) everything.

For example, Grieg is represented not by his far better-known Lyric Pieces, but by excerpts from his Norske folkeviser (Norwegian Folk Songs) and Slåtter (Peasant Dances).

The focus is on dancing, and on a charming athleticism to the rhythms and melodic counters. On the other hand, "I wonder deep in thought," one of the Norske folkeviser, presents a melody of moving simplicity, artfully arranged by the composer. It's not easily forgotten.

The rest of the composers on this disc were active solely in the present century. One striking discovery is a tour de force called "The father of the child," from Geirr Tveitt's Femti Folkatonar frao Hardanger (Fifty Folk Tunes from Hardanger). The piece's strange hymn-like harmonies and incipient violence suggest Viking spirituality.

From the next set, David Konrad Johansen's Nordlandsbilleder (Pictures from Nordland), sample "Reindeer," a quirky portrait full of skittishness and mystery.

The Long Winter Night Technically, it is very demanding, and Andsnes's playing here suggests that he is excellent in Debussy. (And The New York Times called him an excellent interpreter of the demanding music of Franz Liszt).

I gather that "Ballad of Revolt," from Harald Sæverud's Slåtter og Stev fra "Siljustol" (Tunes and Dances from "Siljustol") plays a special role in Norwegian musical life. The composer wrote it to protest the German occupation of Norway, and it starts with a simple melody that might be a marching-song. Sæverud builds up to a thrilling, revolutionary climax that would get the audience roaring in any concert hall.

There's also an example of the composer's "anti-Romantic" score for a production of Peer Gynt.

Finally, I need to mention the Variations for Piano of Fartein Valen. This is twelve-tone music, but not to worry – the demands are mostly on the performer. The introspective mood carries the listener through the piece's concentrated seven minutes.

Andsnes is a fabulous pianist. His technique is seemingly unlimited, and so is his imagination.

Great idea, this CD. Don't hesitate to acquire it.

One more review:

To explore the culture of your homeland with the sophistication and dedication that Andsnes expresses on the album deserves a Nobel Prize. This dynamic young Norwegian pianist escews cultural imperialism and exploitation and gives pride to those who recognise the depth and value of the music that has evolved over time in this seemingly far far land. This collection of Norwegian music, echoing so often the dynamics of the landscape and psychological interrogation of the nature of time ~ long long winter nights, and by implication long long summer days. Andsnes bears witness to the craft and creativity of his forebearers with style beautifully expressing their ideas and ambitions. A wonderfully powerful cd. Enjoy!

The album has re-appeared in a new cover (below):

Ballad for Edvard Grieg

Long Winter Night