World premiere recording of Halfdan Cleve`s chamber works on CD. Tor Johan Bøen has taken on the mission of bringing Cleve into the light and to make his music available for a wider audience. Cleve was not only a very successful composer, but he was also considered one of the greatest pianists in the Nordic region.
Into the light
Halfdan Cleve´s music has been neglected for almost 70 years; Several of his compositions only exists as manuscripts, there is not a major biography about him, and there is minimal of research done of his life and his musical activities – until now. Tor Johan Bøen has taken on the task to bring “the forgotten” composer into the light again, and make one of Norway`s most important composers music available for a wider audience.
World premiere recording
In this world premiere recording Fragaria Vesca with Tor Johan Bøen (violin), Sanae Yoshida (piano), Alison Rayner (violin), Bénédicte Royer (viola) and Aurélienne Brauner (cello), perform a number of Cleve`s chamber music works – most of them never before recorded. Based on the composer`s manuscripts Bøen has made new sheet music of several of his works, and the thorough work has carried fruits: Tor Johan and his fellow musicians convey Cleve`s works in a great manner. Fragaria Vesca has previously introduced unknown music by Geirr Tveitt and David Monrad Johansen, among others, to great enthusiasm from the press: – Very nice. The release gives the impression of being created in the spirit of chamber music. In other words, a most welcome addition to so far unknown music by one of our greatest compositional talents ever. [Kjell Hillveg / Dagsavisen]
