Arctic Saxophone

Ola Asdahl Rokkones (alto saxophone), Arktisk Filharmoni, Per Kristian Skalstad (conductor)

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Cat No: LWC1263

Release Date: 29 September 2023

Label: Lawo

Packaging Type: Digipak

No of Units: 1

Barcode: 7090020182858

Genres: Classical Contemporary Classical

Description
Arctic Saxophone is the second album where Ola Asdahl Rokkones (b.1983) premieres three new classical saxophone concertos commissioned by him. The album title Arctic Saxophone is not only a reference to his hometown Tromso, but also to the three composers on this recording that all have some link to the Arctic. The two Norwegian composers Alexander Aarøen and Terje Bjorklund both originate from Northern Norway, and the Russian composer Alexander Manotskov caught his inspiration from the Russian city of Arkhangelsk.

Together with Arktisk Filharmoni and conductor Per Kristian Skalstad, we explore three different approaches to the delicate combination of alto saxophone and string orchestra. The Heart, It Soars (2019) by Alexander Aaroen (b.1993) easily reaches the listener with recognisable melodies and themes, and is a joyful ode to life and love. Seven Portraits (2011) by Alexander Manotskov (b.1972), is a playful concerto with constantly shifting characters through the seven brief movements, all named after the seven archangels of the Orthodox Church. Manotskov investigates almost all possible timbres and possibilities of the saxophone, such as in the 6th movement Raphael (track 9) where the saxophone is played without mouthpiece while the orchestra is challenged to play inversely. Terje Bjorklund (b.1945) is an internationally renowned composer, and has also been a key person in developing the Norwegian jazz scene. In his work Arctic Lines (2020) we get a blend of elements from the modern Scandinavian jazz tradition, and influences from Sámi music as well as Vivaldi and contemporary Baltic composers.

As the saxophone was invented too late to be embraced by the most famous classical composers, it has been even more important to challenge living composers to write new music for the instrument. Through his increasing discography, Ola Asdahl Rokkones is sincerely following up his responsibility. He has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras, and has commissioned and premiered music by numerous composers. He is also one of few saxophonists working within the fields of both classical music and jazz.

"Rokkones plays each work with consummate skill; he has a wonderfully warm tone and copes with the technical challenges for each piece with ease. The Arctic Philharmonic make ideal partners, a splendid body of string scarcely any less in character or quality that their more famous rivals in Bergan or Oslo. A super disc, not in any way chilly!" – Gramophone

"Performances here are terrific, no hints of any of the challenges under which they were made. Throughout, Ola Asdahl Rokkones makes a wonderfully engaging guide, deftly playing the technically challenging passages and making each movement a story. And he finely partnered by Per Kristian Skalstad and the orchestra." – Planet Hugill
Tracklisting