New album of solo violin music from Hafliði Hallgrímsson

Divine Art Recordings Group announces the forthcoming release on its Métier label of an album of music for solo violin by Hafliði Hallgrímsson, performed by the outstanding soloist Peter Sheppard Skærved. The great Icelandic composer Hafliði Hallgrímsson began his professional life as a virtuoso cellist. His deep understanding of the limitless potential of string instruments underpins the poetry and lyricism of his musical language, resulting in music which is instantly recognisable. Hafliði is also an extraordinary artist: there’s a subtle interweave between his work in both media. His scores themselves are visually beautiful, a joy to work with, and to read.

Peter Sheppard Skærved has worked with Hallgrímsson since 1995. He regards this composer’s unique voice, emotional clarity, and uncompromising approach to sound and colour as a profound influence on the development of his work on the violin. Peter has played the music all over the world, both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. He premiered the first version of ‘Klee Sketches’ in Mexico City in 2005, and the final version of the full cycle in a performance of all of Hallgrímsson’s solo violin music in Reykjavík in 2019.

The album will be scheduled for release in the early summer of 2021.

Album details

TITLE: Hafliði Hallgrímsson: “Offerto”: Music for solo violin
LABEL: Métier
CATALOG NUMBER: MSV 28616
PERFORMER: Peter Sheppard Skærved (violin)
WORKS:

Klee Sketches Op 32 (2005-2019)-Book One

1. Klee practising an accompaniment for a popular song
2. And now for the art of string crossing
3. Klee experimenting with a new scale
4. Klee takes a legato – line for a walk (version B)
5. Do not neglect your pizzicato Herr Klee
6. Frau Klee is sleeping (version B)
7. Klee entertaining Kandinsky

Offerto (1991) (in memorium Karl Kvaran) to Guðný Guðmundsdóttir

1. Written in sand
2. Lines without words
3. The Flight of Time
4. Almost a Hymn

Klee Sketches Op 32 (2005-2019)
Book Two

1. Klee the artist plays his violin
2. Klee ‘sounds out’ an etching he is contemplating
3. Frau Klee is sleeping (Version A)
4. Klee sketching a tree
5. Klee performing at the grave of his father
6. Klee observing a large butterfly
7. Klee takes a legato – line for a walk (Version A)
8. Klee notates birdsong in the aviary

Recorded on May 15^th and July 3^rd 2019. St Michael’s Highgate, London
Musical Supervision by the composer
Produced by Peter Sheppard Skærved
Engineered by Jonathan Haskell of Astounding Sounds