Ole Edvard Antonsen plays Nordic Trumpet Concertos

On the present release this collaboration has taken a new turn, with Antonsen appearing in a programme of Nordic trumpet concertos from between 1987 and 2005, supported by Lindberg conducting the Nordic Chamber Orchestra, whose principal conductor he has been since 2005. Lindberg is also responsible for one of the works featured on the disc, the concerto Akbank Bunka, which at its world première in 2005, in Scotland, was described by a reviewer as 'flitting between lilting modal lyricism, astringent dissonance, and even unadulterated jazz with the flirtatious unpredictability of a butterfly. Its three succinct movements focus wholly on the very special qualities of Antonsen's mind-boggling technique and golden lyrical tone.' Fellow Swedish composer Britta Byström (b.1977) was inspired by a novel from 1895 when composing her Förvillelser ('Delusions'), in which the solo part may be seen as a musical portrait of the novel's main protagonist: 'a capricious, romantic observer caught against the backdrop of a bustling city, the orchestra.' Finnish Harri Wessman (b. 1949) describes himself as 'particularly preoccupied with the ability of music to express emotions' and his own harmonic method as 'a kind of contrapuntally treated jazz harmony'. The Norwegian composer Alfred Janson (b.1937) writes music which integrates influences such as late romanticism, jazz and Norwegian folk music. Norwegian Dance is an attempt to reclaim dance music – which he considers to be the origin of all music – from the commercial forces. In his return to folk music he joins a great Norwegian tradition in which 19th century composer Rikard Nordraak is a prominent figure. All in all, a very varied programme then – expertly defended by one of today's leading trumpet players, the highly versatile Ole Edvard Antonsen.