CD's:

Toru Takemitsu in Memoriam
Nordic Tunes
Rose
Toward the Sea

Obs!! More sound samples on the Audio page!

Toru Takemitsu in Memoriam (2006)

(Olufsen Records/Classico, Classcd 661)

Indhold:

Toru Takemitsu 1930-1996	Toward the Sea (1980) Itinerant (1989) All in Twilight (1988)
Noriko Hisada f. 1963	Phase III (2006 uropførelse)
Tokuhide Niimi f. 1947	Melos II (1999)
Norio Fukushi f. 1945	Dawn brightens the day of mortals robed in purple (1992)

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Toru Takemitsus death, we played two concerts in Rundetaarn, Copenhagen, and Kunstbygningen, Aarhus. The programme was music by Takemitsu and three other contemporary Japanese composers. Noriko Hisada wrote a piece for the occasion, which was premiered at these concerts. Both concerts were recorded and the result is this Live CD, complete with noises from the audience and the environment! The music is modern sounding and generally quite demanding on the listener; it is interesting - however - that there is a clearly idetifiable Japanese tone to all the pieces, a mix of european music tradition and elements from traditional Japanese culture. Takemitsu is well known for this, and it is clear that a lot of Japanese composers have listened carefully to what he did! The concert in Copenhagen was attended by composer Noriko Hisada and Japanese ambassador of Denmark Gotaro Ogawa (see Last news page).

Nordic Tunes (2006)

(Olufsen Records/Classico, Classcd 660)

Indhold:
Duo Takemitsu: Nordic Tunes

Carl Michael Bellmann 1740-1795	3 sange
Edvard Grieg 1843-1907	Lyriske stykker op.12
Friedrich Kuhlau 1786-1832	Variationer over et irsk tema op 105
Peter Lindemann 1858-1930	4 Folkesange fra op. 23-2
Joachim Andersen 1847-1909	6 Polskalieder efter I. Dannström

This CD was recorded at different sessions between September 2005 and July 2006 in Frederikskirken, Aarhus. The works are all based on – or inspired by - folk tunes from the nordic countries, the exception being the work by Kuhlau, which is based on an Irish folk tune called ”The last Rose of Summer”. The nordic origin of the works can be heard in the prevailing tonal colour, a sort of distance and sharpness; even in the most serious pieces you can almost feel the steep mountain slopes, the blue sea, the cold midnight sun and the fair haired, blue-eyed, somewhat reserved people. Even so, the different characters of the tunes will take you through a multitude of moods. The pieces seem to enhance each other, inevitably making you smile after the last note has rung out!

Rose (2002)

(Olufsen Records/Classico, Classcd 415)

Debussy: The little negro, Reverie
J.S. Bach: Sonata i C BWV 1033 (excerpt)
Fauré: Aprez une reve, Morceau de Concours
Schubert: 10 original dances
Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasilieras no. 5
Carl Nielsen: 5 pieces op. 3
Grieg: Waltz op.12 no 2
Chopin: Waltz in A minor
Carl Maria Von Weber: Waltz-Laendler
Mozart: Sonata i A KV 331 (excerpt)
Saint-Saëns: The Swan
Ravel: Piéce en forme de Habanera
Gossec: Tambourin

"Rose" was recorded in August 2001 and released, with some delay, in late July 2002. The repertoire is mostly arrangements, and is essentially short and light pieces, appealing to a wider audience than "Toward the Sea". The aim during recording was to retain the musicality and zest from a typical concert performance. Light doesn't have to mean boring or unengaging, which is quite evident when listening to "Rose"!
The audiences have been very positive and receptive to the music and the arrangements on "Rose". The Danish Radio 2 classical channel played excerpts from the CD in various programmes. As a curiosity, several florists have the CD on their shelves... a special flower indeed!

Toward the Sea (2000)

(Olufsen Records/Classico, Classcd 319)

"Toward the Sea" was recorded during 4 days in october 1999 at The Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus with the brilliant engineer Claus Byrith. It is the Duos first CD and the programme reflects a typical concert: A mixed programme with music from the Baroque to the 20th century. The CD contains the world premier recording of the work "Omveje" by the young Danish composer Peter Bruun. The work was written for the duo and premiered in September at Marianne Leths debut concert.
Toward the Sea was reviewed in Gitarra och Luta (S) and Classical Guitar (GB), see Reviews..

Jean-Baptiste Loeillet 1680-1730	Sonata in E minor
Toru Takemitsu 1930-1996	Toward the Sea (1980)
Peter Bruun 1968-	Omveje (1999)
Jean Francaix 1912-1997	Sonata (1984)
Benjamin Godard 1849-1895	Suite op. 116