Rolf Gupta: Chiaroscuro – Norwegian Radio Orchestra

Northern Impressionism

“Chiaroscuro” is not just a poetic title, but it appears to be the structural and aesthetic idea governing Rolf Gupta´s piece of Northern Impressionism. Not only does Gupta add light instrumental colour to dark rumbles, but he also mixes fast filigree-like textures with slow-moving chords. For all its richness of colour and meticulousness of orchestral detail, “Chiaroscuro” gives an impression of a single, blown-up sonic gesture. Rather than being built with closed phrases or blocks, the music moves in a fluid fashion, as if forming waves within waves. Being a “performing conductor” – both a composer and an active conductor – Rolf Gupta studied composition with legendary Norwegian composer Olav Anton Thommessen at the Norwegian Academy of Music. With graceful melodic mottos, bursts of energy, bubbling and sparkling activity and dark sonority, Rolf Gupta and The Norwegian Radio Orchestra guides us through Gupta´s majestic work “Chiaroscuro” – an artistic distribution of light and dark masses in a picture. In addition, this release also includes a live video of Gupta´s work “Ikaros”.