Hafliði Hallgrímsson: “OFFERTO”: works for solo violin
Hafliði Hallgrímsson (b.1941) is widely regarded as Iceland’s pre-eminent composer, as well as a highly accomplished cellist. He studied with Enrico Mainardi and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and was cellist with many leading chamber ensembles until devoting himself full time to composition in 1983. Also, In 1970, Hallgrímsson played the (uncredited) cello solo on “Atom Heart Mother” by Pink Floyd.
His voice is extremely distinctive and within modernist styles can communicate ‘serious’ emotions of loss and sorrow and also intensive wit and charm as demonstrated so well by his Klee Sketches on this recording. The Klee Sketches are dedicated to Peter Sheppard Skærved, the performer here.
Peter Sheppard Skærved is known for his pioneering approach to the music of the past and our own time. Over 400 works have been written for him. Peter’s exhaustive work on music for violin alone has resulted in research, performances and recordings of cycles by Bach, de Bériot, Tartini, Telemann, and, most recently, his project, ‘Preludes and Vollenteries’, which brings together 200 unknown works from the seventeenth century. His dedicated support of contemporary music (especially with his ensembles, the Kreutzer Quartet and Longbow), is considerable. He is also an accomplished painter and a published writer on many subjects.
Track Listing
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Hafliði Hallgrímsson (b.1941):
Klee Sketches, Op. 32 - Book One
- I. Klee practising an accompaniment for a popular song (2:54)
- II. And now for the art of string-crossing (2:58)
- III. Klee experimenting with a new scale (1:27)
- IV. Klee takes a legato-line for a walk - version B (2:07)
- V. Do not neglect your pizzicato Herr Klee (1:49)
- VI. Frau Klee is sleeping - version B (3:17)
- VII. Klee entertaining Kandinksy (2:24) Offerto in memoriam Karl Kvara, Op. 13
- I. Written in sand (5:40)
- II. Lines without words (3:49)
- III. The flight of time (4:35)
- IV. Almost a hymn (6:57) Klee Sketches, Op. 32 - Book Two
- I. Klee the artist plays his violin (1:34)
- II. Klee 'sounds out' an etching he is contemplating (3:35)
- III. Frau Klee is sleeping - version A (3:08)
- IV. Klee sketching a tree (1:55)
- V. Klee performing at the grave of his father (2:52)
- VI. Klee observing a large butterfly (2:48)
- VII. Klee takes a legato-line for a walk - version A (1:26)
- VIII. Klee notates birdsong in the aviary (4:07)
Reviews
“Perhaps the finest praise I can give is that I am not a violinist, yet I found this transfixing throughout. I would love to hear more Hallgrimsson. And, as a final cherry on top of this violinistic cake, the beautiful cover art is by Hallgrimsson himself. Sheppard Skaerved is magisterial in his command of his instrument… [his] control at the lower) dynamics is absolutely impeccable.
” —Colin Clarke
“You will never hear a more perfectly attuned and harmonious player than Skærved, whether with his instrument or in putting his considerable expertise at the service of the composer…. , played with flawless intonation and exceptional musicianship. This disc is just a joy from first note to last.
” —Guy Rickards
“A seriously playful disc, conveyed in considered, committed performances, and captured in close, generous sound. There’s a lot of humour here, and deeply considered musical utterances too. There’s a certain raw directness about some of his playing that gives his accounts a rewarding authenticity, and a sense of vivid, unhurried storytelling.
” —David Kettle
“A collection of 19 movements for a solo string instrument explores myriad aspects of violin technique, played with conviction and finesse by Sheppard Skærved.
” —David Olds
“You will never hear a more perfectly attuned and harmonious player than Skærved, whether with his instrument or in putting his considerable expertise at the service of the composer…. , played with flawless intonation and exceptional musicianship. This disc is just a joy from first note to last.
” —Guy Rickards
“Skærved plays all the material on this disc knowingly, idiomatically and expressively. Hallgrímsson’s music is interesting and involving enough… showing fine command of the violin’s solo capabilities… to be worthwhile for more people to acquire.
” —Mark J. Estren
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