Arne Nordheim –
Complete Accordion Works
Frode Haltli; Raoul Björkenheim;
Hans-Kristian Kjos Sørensen; Norwegian Radio Orchestra; Christian Eggen
Simax PSC 1328
The contemporary music world currently has many accomplished and talented accordionists performing compositions written for the instrument by some of the greatest composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. In just over 50 years, the number of essential accordion repertoire pieces has grown exponentially due to collaborations between instrumentalists and the composers courageous enough to put pencil to paper. One such early important collaboration was between Danish accordionist Mogens Ellegaard (1935–1995) and Norwegian composer Arne Nordheim (1931–2010). The resulting four groundbreaking works are all featured here for the first time on one release by the colourful Norwegian accordionist Frode Haltli.
The serialism-influenced Signals (1967) for accordion, electric guitar and percussion is still fresh and innovative-sounding. Dinosauros (1971) is a monster technical work for accordion and tape, with its cluster sounds, stereophonic effects and huffing from the air button. Spur (1975) for solo accordion and orchestra begins and ends with a luscious long tone (originally meant for a trombone soloist). Unfortunately, the accordion is occasionally slightly too forward in the mix making the parts sound unbalanced. In Flashing (1986) for solo accordion, Nordheim masterfully draws from his compositional experience. All the clusters, melodies and effects are clearly defined, with Haltli’s superb contrapuntal playing adding to the inherent lyricism of the work.
Haltli clearly understands the compositions and yet is unafraid to include his personal colourful sound. A must-listen-to release for Nordheim and accordion fans alike!
