简介:
Жанр: Classical
Год выпуска диска: 2010
Производитель диска: Norway - 2L - 2L-067-SABD
Аудио кодек: DST 2.0, 5.1
Тип рипа: image (ISO)
Битрейт аудио: 2,8224 MHz
Продолжительность: 69:21
Ole Bull (1810-1880) is a major cultural icon for Norwegians. And no wonder; not only did this extraordinarily precocious son of a Bergen pharmacist have the talent to become one of the nineteenth century's most famous travelling violin virtuosi, he "discovered" the dramatic talents of Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and profoundly inspired composers Grieg, Swendsen and Nordraak amongst many others. He played a key role in development of Norway's nationalist movement by collecting folk music and absorbing Norway's long-standing fiddle-playing traditions. He would have required great courage to build up such international fame with his playing and compositions; in the early part of the century, Norway was considered by cognoscenti in southern Europe as a culture-less abode of savages.
Only two of Bull's compositions found on the present disc are duplicated on Simax's tribute to Bull (Ole Bull: A Norwegian Pioneer - Tellefsen/Aadland). The two violin concertos and other pieces recorded by 2L have been brought to light by extensive recent scholarship on Bull, and are based on autographs conserved at several sites in Norway.
Don't expect to hear concertos which plumb the depths; Bull had no formal training in composition, and his movements are mainly rhapsodic chains constructed with his considerable melodic gifts; unashamedly superficial entertainment for gathering crowds to concerts. His virtuosity was as legendary as Paganini's, and he used much more of the violin's range than his rival - a characteristic of his music is the alternation of stratospheric and lower registers. Another invention, heard in the first movement of the Concerto in A major, is playing in four parts simultaneously, for which Bull used a flat bridge.
Annar Follesø studied violin in Indiana under Mauricio Fucs, whose own teacher was Jascha Heifitz. Thus Follesø is able to produce exactly the sort of bel canto playing which these works require, with Bull's melodic style often carrying clear references to Donizetti and Rossini. Accompanying him are the 50-strong Norwegian Radio Orchestra, a band of appropriate size for music of this age, and informed for this particular recording by their wide repertoire of 'light' music, folk music, symphonic works, jazz and rock. Ole Kristian Ruud is well-known for his Grieg discs for BIS, and he is a frequent guest conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. Together this team produce performances which simply glow with affection and respect for Ole Bull's work; it would be hard indeed to better them. Music such as this could easily be rendered with sugary sentimentality, but Ruud and Follesø together ensure that the playing is fresh, full of vitality and representative of styles prevailing at the time of composition.
Recording Producer Wolfgang Plagge and Balance Engineer Morten Lindberg have produced one of 2L's best recordings so far. The DXD originated capture was made in multichannel, mostly with simple arrays of 3 forward facing and 2 rear-facing mics, in the moderately-sized but lively acoustic of Jar Church. The orchestra are arranged in a horseshoe shape, with the listener near the open end.
Sensibly, deeper instruments such as the violas, cellos and basses are front stage rather than behind the listener as on productions from some other companies.
Psychoacoustics shows that we cannot locate such low sounds from behind us with any precision; rearward location depends on higher frequencies with sharp transients. 2L therefore place the violins along the sides of the acoustic stage, divided left and right. The 5.1 MC sound is very lifelike and vivid, with plenty of reflections from the rear wall of the church. One feels fully immersed in the music, and the soloist is happily placed well into the orchestra, with a good share of ambience for his instrument. There is ample deep rhythmic bass (and a palpable bass drum). Breathtaking textures such as the violin melody sweetly floating over a cushion of hushed tremolo strings are a feature of this fine recording.
The stereo track sounds very well, but its relative flatness is quite a shock if shifted to from MC.
2L's production resides in a standard Blue-ray package, with the DSD disc partnered by a Blue-ray one, which offers the programme in 5.1 DTS HD MA 24/192kHz, 7.1 DTS HD MA 24/96kHZ and 2.0 LPCM 24/192kHz selectable either from a video menu or by pushing colourd buttons on the remote. These all sound very fine if subtly different, and format-gurus can have a fine time comparing tracks. Generously, 2L use mShuttle technology, which allows networked Blue-Ray players to obtain computer downloads of MP3 and CD portable formats for carrying the programme away from the home.
The larger Blue-ray container also accommodates a very thorough and extensive set of notes about the music, and Bull's biography in English and Norwegian, with marvellous colour session photos. I do regret, however, that the now clichéd reproduction of Caspar David Friedrich's "Wanderer above a Sea of Fog" was used on the cover, when one of the many fine early Romantic Norwegian paintings would have been more appropriate and distinctive.
Outstanding entertainment, brilliant playing and immersive sonics. Highly recommended.
曲目:
1. Saterjentens Sondag (The Herdgirl's Sunday)
Concerto in A major
2. Andante maestoso / Allegro maestoso
3. Adagio sentimentale (Adagio sostenuto)
4. Rondo pastorale (Moderato)
Concerto Fantastico
5. Allegro Affetuoso (La Notte)
6. Adagio Sostenuto (L'Aurora)
7. Rondo Marcato (A Giorno)