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A lovely disc indeed! Halvorsen's beautifully crafted stage music is rather reminiscent of Sibelius but still retains an authentic charm that is characteristically personal. This composer dominated Norwegian music for many years and understood the drama scene perfectly due to his conducting the Royal Norwegian Theatre for over thirty years. The three works recorded here are full of immense charm and there are some beautiful melodies that remain in your head long after the first hearing. The epic 'Gurre' had already been treated by Halvorsen's Danish counterpart, Hornemann (available on Chandos) but the Norwegian's undramatic score is delicate, rather frescoe-like; at times Rimsky Korsakov is not too far away. The opening evening scene is played with deep feeling by the Latvian Orchestra who also command a remarkably succinct string tone. The same goes for the concluding 'Woe King Volmar', an epic march rather in the mould of Grieg's 'Homage March'. 'Aladdin' has also been set by a Danish composer (Carl Nielsen) and Halvorsen's setting is delicate and imaginative although it lacks the punch of the much more famous Nielsen version. I was charmed by 'The Merchant of Venice' which includes some delightful short movements in the shape of 'Portia' and an aptly titled 'Intermezzo'. Terje Mikkelsen conducts with feeling and passion for these romantic scores and Simax's recording is clear and truthful. On the whole, the project is commendable to anyone looking to enhance his orchestral CD collection.

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:

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