For his first solo recording, Kilström chose a number of recent
works by living Swedish composers - all in their fifties at
the time of writing. The music forms part of his repertoire
and for which he obviously has a close affinity.
Johan Hammerth
is the only composer here whose name and music are new to
me. I welcome this fine opportunity to make contact with
his idiomatic piano music. I note that he was trained as
a pianist and a composer. He composed a set of 24 preludes
between 1999 and 2000, each of them exploring a different
musical and emotional world, although – judging by the two
preludes heard here – his approach to piano writing is remarkably
consistent.
Lindborg’s Runs
and Resonances perfectly lives up to what its title
implies. In the main it consists of short animated sections
of varied character mostly ending on a resounding chord,
be it soft or loud.
Lindgren already
has a sizeable and hugely varied output. An all-Lindgren
disc [Phono Suecia PSCD 21] including the magnificent orchestral
piece Fragments of a Circle as well as the
highly entertaining Guggi-Guggi for trombone
and tape bears ample proof of Lindgren’s wide-ranging concerns.
His substantial piano piece Winding Threads
is in effect an idiomatic and beautifully made study in
two-part counterpoint. It is rather demanding, though ultimately
rewarding; a trifle too long for its own good.
Anders Nilsson’s
music also features on an all-Nilsson disc (Phono Suecia
PSCD 53) including his superb Organ Concerto (1987/8). His
beautifully impressionistic Les Cloches de la Nuit
inspired by a stay at the well-known Mont Saint Michel in
France is a most welcome addition to his discography. It
is a really fine piece that clearly deserves wider exposure.
Rolf Martinsson
has composed a cycle of twelve piano pieces freely inspired
by the Signs of the Zodiac. Three of these are recorded
here. The composer describes his Zodiac pieces as written
improvisations. For all their variety, the three pieces
recorded here make one eager to hear the complete cycle
some day. An all-Martinsson disc including the beautiful
Kalliope Op.66 for strings and the Kurosawa-inspired
orchestral work Dreams Op.35 is available
from Daphne [Daphne 1022].
Kilström is
a formidable pianist and a very fine musician from whom
I definitely look forward to hearing more soon. This debut
recording of his is much more than a brilliantly recorded
curriculum vitae. It is first and foremost a splendid
collection of fine, idiomatically written recent Swedish
piano pieces. All merit much more than the occasional hearing..
Hubert
Culot
Anders Kilström (piano)
