Bente Illvold (euphonium); Daniel Ridder (tuba)
Featuring: Natalia Nazarenus (piano); Harmonieorkest de Volksgalm
O-Recordings: ORCD505

Norwegian euphonium soloist Bente Illvold continues her explorations of contemporary low brass repertoire with this release alongside the acclaimed German tuba player Daniel Ridder. 

At a time when extensions of technical virtuosity are seemingly prized more than considered musical inquisition, her focus on strengthening the artistic scope of the euphonium with inventive thoughtfulness (as seen with her 2024 release ‘Baut’  – which rather pertinently means ‘sail against the winds’) has immense value. 

Ridder has also released two well received solo recordings, and like Illvold is an educator and teacher with an inquisitive outlook based on substance. Together (as well as with pianist Natalia Nazarenus and the wind orchestra Harmonieorkest de Volksgalm on two tracks) they create complementary focal points of expression – from the dramatic and pointed to the lyrical and languid.

Heaven or Hell

Steven Verhelst’s ‘Savages’  for contrabass and bass trombone was recently heard at the World Music Contest in Kerkrade. That was very much about his current thoughts on the human condition, whilst for this recording he sheds the mortal coil with ‘Heaven or Hell’  which explores what the musical afterlife could have in store for the soloists (originally as a trilogy of three separate pieces for two bass trombones).

for this recording he sheds the mortal coil with ‘Heaven or Hell’  which explores what the musical afterlife could have in store for the soloists

Cleverly rearranged for euphonium and tuba (with excellent piano accompaniment) it’s a waltzing Beelzebub who first makes a Faustian approach for the souls of the soloists, before the tango dancing Angels, influenced by more than a few stairway steps of Led Zeppelin, make their case.  The end result is a ‘Limbo Dance’  that comes with the promise of eternal fun.

Trollish

Verhelst also provides ‘Duba Dance’,  a witty Grieg-like trollish duet originally written for Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra colleagues Nico Schippers and Perry Hoogendijk. Its impish intensity grows as the adversaries playfully extend their fleet-footed showmanship.  

The title track is a journey of perspective – two seemingly lonely figures interacting with the landscapes around them, from high mountains to subterranean caverns. 

All along the earthiness of the writing embeds itself into the footsteps of the soloists to leave lasting impressions on the mind of the listener.

Elisabeth Vannebo creates a hinterland that speaks of folksong and folk lore, winding melody and rhythmic constriction, at times energetic and fun, at others mysterious and dangerous. All along the earthiness of the writing embeds itself into the footsteps of the soloists to leave lasting impressions on the mind of the listener.

Long form race

Ferrer Ferran is an internationally acclaimed wind band conductor and composer, who writes in a vivid, character-led manner. His descriptive output draws on history and storytelling to create inventive scores built on strict lineal development: Even in long-form format as here, there is a clearly defined beginning, middle and an end to his musical tales.

Even in long-form format as here, there is a clearly defined beginning, middle and an end to his musical tales.

His appreciation of the legendary Aesop fable of ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’  is one which contrasts speed with constancy, exciting risk with solid endeavour. 

Colourfully accompanied by Harmonieorkest de Volksgalm it runs its race (of over 16 minutes) without losing focus of its ultimate goal – the photo finish between two protagonists who have given their all in pursuit of glory, a creation of building tension.

Iwan Fox

To purchase: https://www.euphonia.no/en

Play list:
1-3. Heaven or Hell (Steven Verhelst)
i. Devil’s Waltz
ii. Angel’s Tango
iii. Limbo Dance

4. Duba Dance (Steven Verhelst)

5-9. Lowland Legends (Elisabeth Vannebo)
i. Echoes of the Hills
ii. Heavy Folk Lifting
iii. Midnight of the Earthkin
iv. Blowin’ in the Fjords
v. Dances with Valves

10. The Tortoise and The Hare (Ferrer Ferran)