Herresthal/Arctic Phil/Bjora - Eivind Buene: Violin Concerto, Miniatures, Rolf Wallin: Under City Skin, Appearances

Following his 2001 disc of works by Arne Nordheim, Norwegian violinist Peter Herresthal and BIS have collaborated on the project �A String of Releases� �recordings of contemporary violin concertos, in several cases written especially for Herresthal. Featured composers so far have been Olav Anton Thommessen, Henrik Hellstenius and �rjan Matre �all from Norway � as well as Thomas Ad�s and Per N�rg�rd. Utterly fearless in his approach to these complex works, Herresthal has received recognition for his recordings, earning a Spellemannprisen (the �Norwegian Grammy�) as well as being shortlisted for a Gramophone Award. The present, amply-filled addition to Herresthal�s �string� features the composers Rolf Wallin (b. 1957) and Eivind Buene (b. 1973). Wallin � one of Scandinavia�s leading composers � has for Herresthal made a version of Under City Skin, his 2009 concerto for viola and ensemble. The work is a poetic and sonic journey through an imaginary cityscape, with the solo violin and the string orchestra playing off and with a pre-recorded soundtrack. Buene�s Violin Concerto was also conceived with Herresthal in mind. With suggestive individual titles � Falling Angels, Sound Asleep and Among Voices � its three movements are each scored for a different combination of chamber orchestral forces. They can be played separately, but together they form a haunting triptych of melancholy and memory. Supporting Herresthal in the concertos are the conductor �yvind Bjor� and musicians from the Arctic Philharmonic, in two different configurations: as a chamber orchestra and a sinfonietta. Bjor� and the Sinfonietta also perform Wallin�s Appearances and Buene�s Miniatures, for 15 and 16 musicians respectively.