Nordic Contemporary Songs – Kirsten Mæland Landmark

Nordic solo song

The solo song in the Nordic countries has deep roots in the Lieder tradition of the 19th century. Nordic composers had been obliged to clarify their relationship to the great masters of Romantic music. This inheritance was both a challenge and an inspiration, and in addition the composers had to follow and to choose among constantly changing trends in contemporary European music. This orientation to both the old and the new allowed them to gather inspiration within their own geographic region. The selection of songs on this album are taken from this exciting period between the old and the new, the international and the national. This includes all of Fartein Valen´s solo songs with piano accompaniment, one of the most distinctive and progressive Scandinavian composers of the first half of the 20th century. In addition, the duo Kirsten Landmark Mæland (soprano) and Sigmund Hjelset (piano), both having laid extensive touring behind them, also performs works by the highly prominent and distinct Nordic composers David Monrad Johansen, Gösta Nystroem, Gunnar de Frumerie and Einojuhani Rautavaara.