Bjarne Brustad: Music for violin solo – Sølve Sigerland

The violinist of Grieg Trio makes his CD-debut as soloist

In March this year Sølve Sigerland, violinist of the praised Grieg Trio, brought forth music for solo violin by fellow Norwegian Bjarne Brustad (1895-1978). Brustad’s music has so far not been very well known either within Norway or abroad, although Camilla Wicks did make a strong case for his violin concertos and some of the solo material a few decades ago.

Brustad was himself a violinist and a violist, in fact leader of the violas of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra for many years. His works for solo violin are certainly meant to be played by a musician with exceptional abilities. The Fanitulsuite (Devil Suite) and Eventyrsuite (Fairytale suite) shows just how influenced he was by Norwegian folk music and folklore, although all of the themes are
his own. The playing techniques applied on the violin elude the loose strings of the Hardanger fiddle, and the names of the movements have names from the fairytales such as Veslefrikk and Trollkvenna (thebewitched mill). Sonata no.3 for violin solo is clearly more modern and free tonal in its conception, but we also find very cantabile sections. The Four Capricci for violin and viola is a remarkable example of two closely related instruments playing together, and a very appealing piece of music.

The violinist Sølve Sigerland (b. 1969) studied at the Norwegian Academy of Music and the Ferenc Liszt Academy in Budapest. As a member of the Grieg Trio he has given concerts all over the world. Sigerland has performed as soloist with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.