Johan Svendsen was the one of the leading figures in Norwegian music during the romantic era, both as a composer and a conductor. This podcast introduces you to his Norwegian Rhapsodies, as well as the music he wrote for Romeo and Juliet, and his piece Zorahayda, based on the story Rose of Alhambra by the American author Washington Irving (who also wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow). The performers are the South Jutland Symphony Orchestra, and conductor Bjarte Engeset.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570322

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Here is a review from Dailypress.com by Raymond Jones on MOZART, W.A.: The Magic Flute, Music for Bass Trombone and Wind Band and TVEITT, G.: Sinfonia di soffiatori

… This type of transcription is known as “harmonie music” and is scored for pairs of oboes, clarinets, French horns and bassoons, and a double bass to add a little string flavor…

… Ewazen is writing some of the finest symphonic band music around today, and this concerto is a real tour de force. The wonderful cadenza in the finale brought a big smile to my face…

… What a treasure trove for the wind band enthusiast! Sinfonia di Soffiatori No. 3 and Sinfonia di Soffiatori, Opus 203 (soffiatori are wind instruments), are substantial and engaging works, extremely tonal, and well worthy of discovery by any wind band…

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