Henning Sommerro: Borders Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Nick Davies

• Henning Sommerro (b. 1952): Solkverv (Solstice): Featuring Sigmund Groven:
• 1 Sommerro: Solkverv (Solstice): I. Skrida (Striding) 04:35
• 2 Sommerro: Solkverv (Solstice): II. Sæle (Bliss) 05:14
• 3 Sommerro: Solkverv (Solstice): III. Soli (The Sun) 03:53
• Vårfest (Ostara): Featuring Roar Engelberg:
• 4 Sommerro: Vårfest (Ostara): I. R 08:45
• 5 Sommerro: Vårfest (Ostara): II. E 03:32
• 6 Sommerro: Vårfest (Ostara): III. B 03:41
• Grenser (Borders): Featuring Marianne Thorsen:
• 7 Sommerro: Grenser (Borders): I. Grenser (Borders) 06:14
• 8 Sommerro: Grenser (Borders): II. Sørgesang (Lament) 06:17
• 9 Sommerro: Grenser (Borders): III. Håp (Hope) 05:53
• Total Runtime 48:04

Info for Henning Sommerro: Borders

The first rays of morning sunshine empower the landscape.
He walks slowly over the smooth swathes of rock.
Between sky, earth and water the artist finds a path.
He stops a moment, and squints a little.

Using a deep time perspective composer Henning Sommerro chooses themes from myths and from European history. Three works for soloist and orchestra and three visions encounter resistance before they struggle forward to possible redemption and resolution. The first work is Solkverv. The skald Sigvat Tordsson is on his way to the eternal city. It is just before the summer solstice, and the skald has time to reflect about important issues in his life and times – and to think about who to include in his visions. We are enticed further to Vårfest, and the mysterious spring goddess of the same name. A lot is at stake as the vernal equinox approaches. A matter of one step forward and two back. Under the ground bilateral lines of communication are busy signalling spring ... or are they? The sense of seriousness is heightened, and the last work gives the album’s title extra gravity. In Borders we move to our own time. The year is 2016, and our world picture is shaken by a stream of refugees the like of which Europe has not seen since the Second World War. Accusations across countries’ borders proliferate. It is the others who are responsible for taking in refugees, and hopes for a united response are collapsing. Who dares acknowledge and respond to the alarming roar of the work’s opening?

Without thinking, he draws a line with one foot.
He crouches, then jumps from one side of the line to the other.
Outside. Inside.
He repeats this a few times, then stops abruptly and stares at the horizon. Forever he seems to stand like this.

Sigmund Groven, harmonica
Roar Engelberg, pan flute
Marianne Thorsen, violin
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra
Nick Davies TZ, conductor

Nick Davies
After studying at the Royal College of Music in London, Nick Davies began his conducting career in 1986 in London’s prestigious West End conducting numerous musical theatre productions. He made his symphonic debut in 1991 with the world renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with whom he remains a regular guest conductor. Since January 2011 he has held the post of Chief Conductor for Vantaa Pops Orchestra in Finland.

Notably, Davies is a regular guest conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and with them, has had the honour to conduct the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo annually between 2007 and 2017. His vast experience has developed through his work as a conductor, extensively throughout Scandinavia and with numerous leading European orchestras.

Work further afield includes the Orchestra of the Central Opera Company of Beijing, Hong Kong Philharmonic and Hong Kong Sinfonietta. In 2009 Davies made his Australian debut conducting the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and has since returned to conduct the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony and Western Australia Symphony in Perth. He has conducted for New York City Opera and has worked for more than 15 years at Gothenburg Opera.

In 2015 Davies made his debut at Finnish National Opera where he continues a close relationship with numerous productions planned over the coming years. He also conducted the Classic BRIT Awards 2018.

Trondheim Symphony Orchestra
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1909, takes its place in the extensive musical heritage of the city of Trondheim. Before the nineteenth century Trondheim was the main focal point for sacred music in Scandinavia. This encouraged many significant musicians of the time to settle there. The growth and expansion of European music culture in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was also mirrored within the city. This period saw the foundation of several music societies. The development of the orchestra gained impetus with the jubilee of St Olav in 1930. In more recent times the orchestra has established a solid position in local musical life and that of Norway as a whole. Recent successful tours in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and China has enhanced the orchestra’s international reputation. From 2009 the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra has continued its development through closer cooperation with the Trondheim Soloists, resulting in an increased complement of ninety musicians.

Booklet for Henning Sommerro: Borders