Stephen Pritchard 

Leif Solberg: Orchestral, choral and organ music CD review – celebrating a neglected Norwegian symphony

A moving performance of Solberg’s 1951 orchestral work and authoritative renditions of his organ works are applauded by Stephen Pritchard
  
  

Leif Solberg, who is celebrating his 100th birthday.
Norwegian composer Leif Solberg, who is celebrating his 100th birthday. Photograph: PR

This remarkable disc marks a double celebration: the 200th release from the innovative Toccata label and the 100th birthday of Leif Solberg, the unashamedly tonal Norwegian composer whose undeservedly neglected 1951 symphony was rescued from obscurity by Martin Anderson, the redoubtable founder of Toccata. The Liepaja players unearth the dark thread that runs under the uneasy vitality of the symphony’s outer movements and move us with the grief of its central andante. Solberg was organist at Lillehammer for 44 years, writing both for the instrument and for voices. His accessible Good Friday Meditation is beautifully sung here, while examples of his muscular organ works are played with authority by Tim Collins, who holds the post today. Interest declared: I’m proud to be Tim’s cousin.

 

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