Halvorsen / Bergen Philharmonic Orch / Jarvi Orchestra Works 4 CD

This is the fourth and final volume of colorful and highly appealing orchestral works by the Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen. The series is performed by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra under Neeme J?rvi. On this disc is Halvorsen's orchestration of Grieg's piano piece Norwegian Bridal Procession. Other versions exist, but in Grieg's eyes only a native Norwegian could portray rural Norway in music without becoming too romantic or picturesque. Halvorsen considered his Norwegian Fairy Tale Pictures to be one of his best works. The suite is colorful and vividly programmatic, drawn from music that Halvorsen had written for a children's comedy.

1. Norwegian Rhapsody No. 1 in a Major 2. Norwegian Rhapsody No. 2 in G Major 3. Folkelivsbilleder, Op. 19: No. 2. Brudefolget Drager Forbi (Bridal Procession) (Arr. J. Halvorsen) 4. Passacaglia in G minor (After G.F. Handel's Keyboard Suite No. 7 in G minor, HWV 432: VI. Passacaille) 5. Dance Scene from Queen Tamara 6. Kongen, Op. 19: Symphonic Intermezzo 7. Norwegian Festival Overture, Op. 16 8. I. Peik, the Princess and the Giant Troll 9. I. Troldmoernes Dans 10. II. the Princess Riding on the Bear 11. III. Entry of the Trolls Into the Blue Mountain 12. IV. Dance of the Little Trolls