Per Norgard: Early Piano Works – Niklas Sivelov

   in Piano International (Mar, 2018)
This disc presents an invaluable portrait of the young Per Nørgård (born 1932), featuring a selection of pieces dating from 1949 to 1956.

The Sonata determinate (1949/50) is already gritty, its craggy central slow movement beautifully delivered by Sivelöv. The delightful Miniature Concerto (1949) is a slight but characterful work, while the Sonata capricciosa holds an impeccably sculpted slow movement. Other delights include a set of three incredibly touching intermezzi (Trifoglio, 1954) and the Sonata in One Movement Op 6, recalling Holmboe and Sibelius. The concluding Toccatais pure joy.

Carl Pettersson on Grand Piano offers good competition in the Sonata capricciosa, Op 6 and Toccata, paired with music by Lykkebo …