www.4barsrest review of BOCC109

From The Deep
Soloist: Tormod Flaten
Accompanied by Leyland Band
Conductor: Russell Gray
Bocchino Recordings: CD109
Total Playing Time: Approx 75 mins

Tormod Flaten’s decision to leave his beloved Eikanger Bjørsvik and colleagues in 2007 to concentrate on his solo and parallel musical careers must have been a tough one both for Flaten himself and the band with which over a period of thirteen years, he forged his reputation as one of the hottest euphonium stars around. After all, a player of his stature is never easy to replace.

Fortunately for the rest of us though it was a decision that might just allow him the time to give us more future solo projects in line with this one, his third solo CD and the successor to his 2006 release, Norwegian Euphonium. 

That particular disc was undoubtedly one of the finest solo CD’s of that particular year, resulting in its nomination for the 4BR solo CD of the year, and we reckon that this one could just follow suit in 2008.

Imaginative

As is so often the case with brass CD’s emanating from Norway, the repertoire and the programming is always refreshing, imaginative and diverse. From the Deep is no exception with many of the arrangements having been initiated or inspired by Tormod Flaten himself, whilst the stylistic dynamics of the music range from the beautiful simplicity of Norwegian Folk song to the more challenging, contemporary language of Raymond Enoksen’s Concertino that lends its title to the disc.    

Recorded in the distinctly non Norwegian surroundings of Parr Hall, Warrington, with the Leyland Band and Russell Gray providing efficient and sympathetic accompaniment, the title track From the Deep (subtitled Whale Hunt) is probably never going to win too many admirers amongst Greenpeace supporters. 

Dramatic

As a piece of music though it’s a graphic and dramatic single movement Concertino, packed with effects and working the band as much as it does the virtuosity of the soloist. The word graphic is a pretty accurate one in the work’s detailed musical depiction of the whale surfacing, the hunt itself and the mammal’s ultimate and inevitable demise. 

Enoksen’s contemporary yet never atonal language is appealing and although not written personally for him, Tormod Flaten proves the perfect practitioner of the demanding solo part.

The other major original work occupies more familiar territory in the form of Brian Bowen’s Euphonium Music. Premiered by Trevor Groom with GUS and Keith Wilkinson in 1984 it’s a tautly argued three movement concerto in all but name that Tormod Flaten has championed extensively in recent years and deservedly so. 

His command of the music speaks for itself; lithe and articulate in the outer movements, sensitive and lyrically impassioned in the central Andante con Espressivo, Flaten once again gives Bowen’s music the ultimate in advocacy.

Command

Elsewhere on the disc, there are yet more delights to be had in what is principally lighter but no less entertaining repertoire. American William Kroll’s Banjo and Fiddle originally became famous as a light hearted violin encore for the likes of Kreisler and Heifetz. 

The Heifetz of the euphonium Tormod Flaten makes light work of the extreme technical demands Frode Rydland’s arrangement makes on him. In contrast the gentle strains of Tonerna (Visions), originally made famous by Swedish tenor Jussi Bjørling and Rodrigo Leão’s simple yet touching Cinema demonstrate the reflective side of Flaten’s artistry.

Thomas Rüedi’s arrangement of the Andante Cantabile from Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 1 in D major will immediately be familiar as the opening quartet from Johan de Meij’s Extreme Makeover. 

Lyrical qualities

The soloist’s lyrical qualities are once again impressive although despite the music being eminently suitable for the tonal qualities of the euphonium as opposed to the cello, we would have to question the judgment of taking the instrument into the extreme upper reaches of its “falsetto” register. It doesn’t sit well with the music.

At well over ten minutes long Gustav Øistensen Aaberg’s The Folks along the Road, a kind of “disguised” fantasy on Blaydon Races, might seem to be over doing it a bit. In reality though it doesn’t outstay its welcome, turning out to be an enjoyable and at times witty piece by a man that knows how to write for the euphonium (Aaberg studied at Salford with Glyn Williams and Morgan Griffiths). 

It’s worth a listen just for Tormod Flaten’s playing of the cadenza, complete with glissandi and some pretty hot lower register playing whilst Margaret Antrobus’s arrangement of Weber’s Andante e Rondo Ungarese, originally written for the bassoon, also gives the soloist ample latitude to display his pyrotechnical ability in a fittingly flying finale to the disc.

Special mention

A special mention in conclusion for Frode Rydland’s simply titled Song (in memorium Bengt Eklund). Anyone present at the RNCM Festival of Brass earlier in 2008 might recall it’s touching inclusion, the beauty of the piece lying in the very simplicity of its haunting melody (although it certainly isn’t very simple to play). Ekland’s death was a great loss to Scandinavian banding and Rydland’s tribute a fitting one for a man who will continue to be missed.

Produced by Steven Mead for his own Bocchino Music label, From the Deep provides any evidence that might be needed to confirm that despite his parting with Eikanger, Tormod Flaten still reigns as one of the foremost practitioners of his instrument.

Christopher Thomas

Track listing:

1. Banjo and Fiddle, William Kroll arr Frode Rydland, 3.44
2. Tonerna (Visions), Carl L. Sjöberg arr Nils E. Nikolaisen, 3.38
3-5. Euphonium Music, Brian Bowen
i. Andante/Allegro, 4.03
ii. Andante con Espressivo, 6.01
iii. Moderato/Allegro Moderato, 5.41
6. Andante Cantabile, Tchaikovsky arr Thomas Rüedi, 7.23
7. The Folks Along the Road, Gustav Øistensen Aaberg, 10.28
8. Cinema Rodrigo, Leão arr Frode Rydland, 3.09
9. Two Folk Tunes from Valdres, Trad arr Frode Rydland, 4.37
10. From the Deep (Whale Hunt), Raymond Enoksen, 9.47
11. Song (in memoriam Bengt Eklund), Frode Rydland, 5.31
12. Andante e Rondo Ungarese, Carl Maria von Weber arr Margaret S. Antrobus, 10.51