Saeverud Orchestral Music, Vol 8
An enjoyable Saeverud selection complements a fine symphony cycle
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud
Genre:
Orchestral
Label: BIS
Magazine Review Date: 9/2006
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 70
Mastering:
Stereo
DDD
Catalogue Number: BIS-CD1032

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Overtura Appassionata |
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer Ole Kristian Ruud, Conductor Stavanger Symphony Orchestra |
Rondo amoroso |
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer Ole Kristian Ruud, Conductor Stavanger Symphony Orchestra |
Gaetlevise-variasjoner, 'Shepherd's Tune Variations' |
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer Ole Kristian Ruud, Conductor Stavanger Symphony Orchestra |
Småfuglvals, 'Little Bird Waltz' |
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer Ole Kristian Ruud, Conductor Stavanger Symphony Orchestra |
Syljetone |
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer Ole Kristian Ruud, Conductor Stavanger Symphony Orchestra |
Kvernslått |
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer Ole Kristian Ruud, Conductor Stavanger Symphony Orchestra |
Divertimento No 1 |
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer Ole Kristian Ruud, Conductor Stavanger Symphony Orchestra Vidar Austvik, Flute |
Siljuslåtten |
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer Ole Kristian Ruud, Conductor Stavanger Symphony Orchestra |
Den siste bå'nlåt, 'Her Last Lullaby' |
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer
Harald (Sigurd Johan) Saeverud, Composer Ole Kristian Ruud, Conductor Stavanger Symphony Orchestra |
Author: Guy Rickards
Harald Saeverud (1897-1992) was primarily an orchestral composer – witness his fine symphonies and concertos (BIS, 8/98, 10/00) – but some of his most popular pieces started out as numbers in folk-inspired piano suites. Later, these were orchestrated with characteristic élan, such as Rondo amoroso, a winsome miniature beautifully laid out here for oboe, bassoon and small orchestra, or the gently exuberant Peasant Brooch Tune, both originating in his Easy Pieces for piano. The pretty Mill Tune and Her Last Lullaby both came from the Second Suite of Tunes and Dances from Siljustøl (1940-42), though lack the brilliance of its most famous number, Ballad of Revolt (12/96, 3/02).
The disc opens, however, with the finale to the First Symphony (1920): Overtura appassionata was the concluding section of the original finale but was revised in 1939 as an independent work. As the title suggests, it is volatile, full of romantic fervour and extremes of mood. So, too, is Siljudance (1942), a vigorous but heavy-footed peasant dance, after Overtura appassionata the longest single movement here. Although designed to showcase Saeverud’s talent as a miniaturist, it is the larger items that impress most, not least the Divertimento for flute and orchestra (1939), delightfully blown here by Vidar Austvik. Best of all, though, is the fun of the Shepherd’s Tune Variations of 1940. Ole Kristian Ruud once more draws vibrant performances from the Stavanger Symphony and the BIS sound is, as usual, a marvel.
The disc opens, however, with the finale to the First Symphony (1920): Overtura appassionata was the concluding section of the original finale but was revised in 1939 as an independent work. As the title suggests, it is volatile, full of romantic fervour and extremes of mood. So, too, is Siljudance (1942), a vigorous but heavy-footed peasant dance, after Overtura appassionata the longest single movement here. Although designed to showcase Saeverud’s talent as a miniaturist, it is the larger items that impress most, not least the Divertimento for flute and orchestra (1939), delightfully blown here by Vidar Austvik. Best of all, though, is the fun of the Shepherd’s Tune Variations of 1940. Ole Kristian Ruud once more draws vibrant performances from the Stavanger Symphony and the BIS sound is, as usual, a marvel.
Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music.

Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £8.75 / month
Subscribe
Gramophone Full Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £11.00 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.