Koch, Erland von - The 18 Monologues for Solo Instrume
Leveranstid: Skickas vanligtvis inom 2-5 dagar
For the first time
All of the 18 Monologues collected on two CD's
Erland von Koch
From the booklet :
Erland von Koch (born in 1910), alderman of Swedish music, is one the few Swedish composers who has remained faithful, throughout his career, to his own personal musical heritage. He grew up in a somewhat bohemian family, one parent a musician the other an artist. Sigurd von Koch (1879 - 1919), his father, was a major early twentieth century Swedish song composer. Kaju von Koch, his mother, was an artist and book illustrator. In his memoirs (Musik & minnen, in Swedish only, English equivalent title "Music & Memories", Författarförlaget 1989), Erland von Koch describes her as a warm and creative woman. In the same book, he goes on to describe the difficulties involved in choosing a career in music. The family was divided regarding the question of becoming a musician. Choosing to be a composer then, became an appropriate route for him to follow. Erland von Koch often describes himself as a stubborn soul, and as a result of his persistence, his studies at the Stockholm Music Conservatory (1931-35) were the beginning of a long ecclesiastical career. His degree was in organ performance and church music. Then he went on to study abroad (1936 - 38): composition with Paul Höffer, conducting under Clemens Krauss and piano with Claudio Arrau. Upon his return to Sweden in 1939, he obtained a teaching position at K. Wohlfart's music school. During World War II, he worked as conductor and balance engineer for the Swedish broadcasting company. From 1953 through to 1975 when he retired, Erland von Koch taught theory and harmony at the Stockholm Music Conservatory, where he received the title of Professor in 1968. He was elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 1957.
The list of compositions by Erland von Koch is extensive, including six symphonies (notably number 6, "Salvare la terra" 1991-92), 12 Scandinavian Dances, Impulsi and the Oxberg trilogies for orchestra, as well as a dozen concerti for solo instruments, a children's opera ("Pelle Svanslös"), music for ballet and film, seven string quartets, additional chamber music works and songs. No matter what von Koch's musical material is based on, be it folk music or twelve tone technique, it is always infused with a personal and consonant sound, embodied in anything from light dialogue to full-bodied harmonic structures. In his compositions, he often strives to achieve a transparent simplicity, with a vigorous rhythmic character and simple harmonisations.
He once said: "the older you get, the more clearly you realize the importance of melody". von Koch's neo-classical simplicity is his mark. He adds nuance to it with both modern and traditional compositional techniques in a manner that has remained consistent throughout his career. History may very well come to regard Erland von Koch as the most significant Swedish postmodernist. The Eighteen Monologues were written both as instructive and recital pieces. They may be seen as a sort of pendant to Benjamin Britten's "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra", in which each instrument has the opportunity to introduce itself independent of the orchestra. Each individual monologue focuses on investigating the potential of the instrument in question in terms of both timbre and expression. The monologues all open with a melodious movement and conclude with a fast one. As ever, the composer has not only woven in subtle references to folk music, but has also used a myriad of clever compositional techniques, which both challenge and reward the performer.