Corno di Norvegia – Frøydis Ree Wekre

Three generations of composers

Frøydis Ree Wekre belongs to the elite of international horn solists. She has toured throughout Europe, the US and Canada to great critical acclaim, is internationally respected as a chamber musician, and has many recordings to her credit. Not least is Frøydis Ree Wekre also known for her performances of contemporary music, for which she has a special interest. All the concertos on this recording have come about as a result of her efforts to expand the contemporary horn repertoire.

The music on this recording represents three generations of composers, each of them distinct personalities in the world of Norwegian contemporary music. Their common denominator is the directness of their tonal language. They need no philosophical superstructure to explain, or explain away, their music. Performed by Frøydis Ree Wekre and Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, with conductor Ole Kristian Ruud, the music on this release is of good musical craftsmanship. Wolfgang Plagge´s “Concerto for Horn and Orchestra” is driven forward by budding core motives, with underlying intense ostinatos that create a fresh, dynamic line. Trygve Madsen´s musical language is closely influenced by earlier music, and in his “Concerto for Horn and Orchestra” one hears echoes of both Richard Strauss and the Russian High Romantic period, in all its melodically expressive glory. Knut Nystedt´s “Concerto for Horn and Orchestra”, commissioned by Frøydis Ree Wekre herself, is lively and full of humour, lush and colourful with an amusing character in a listener-friendly style.