#Sunleif Rasmussen

[allkindsofgoodmusic]

The Album: Sunleif Rasmussen - Symphony No 2: “The Earth Anew”.

If you enjoy your orchestral music with extra everything, then the Faroese composer Sunleif Rasmussen might be something for you. Rasmussen got his breakthrough in 1997 with his first symphony, “Oceanic Days”, and his second symphony has been much anticipated. And it does not disappoint.

Rasmussen works in a tradition of making tonal music combined with hugely imaginative orchestrations and complex rhythms. It often sounds very complicated, but it is not really a difficult listen. Even if there are links to Danish composers such as Poul Ruders and Rued Langgaard, Rasmussen reminds me more of the Icelandic tradition started with Jón Leifs. Just as Leifs, Rasmussen collects a lot of his inspiration from Nordic myths and tradition. “The Earth Anew” revolves around the story of the world tree, Yggdrasil, well known from Wagner who often borrowed from (and misunderstood) Nordic mythology.

The symphony is scored for huge forces and the very large orchestra is further assisted by two soloists, a soprano and a baritone, as well as a male chorus. And it has to be said that the performances here are magnificent. Storgårds, who commissioned the work, leads his vast forces expertly and it is difficult to imagine a better performance. Both soloists, Cyndia Sieden and Bo Skovhus, are both excellent, especially Sieden who deals with a very difficult soprano part with ease.

In many ways “The Earth Anew” is an even better symphony than “Oceanic Days”. It is better balanced and the melodies are more memorable. Rasmussen’s use of Faroese folk music pays off here. One small reservation I have is that Rasmussen’s music comes over as rather relentless. There is always a lot going on and even in slower parts you never get the feeling that the music is allowed to rest and breathe. But that’s just a small quibble. I would love the chance to hear this piece live, I think that’s the only way to do it full justice.

[hellocanticle]

New Music from Faroese Master Sunleif Rasmussen with soloist Michala Petri

New Music from Faroese Master Sunleif Rasmussen with soloist Michala Petri

OUR 6.220674 Sunleif Rasmussen is the best known composer from the Faroe Islands which are about mid way between Iceland and Denmark. He turned 60 on March 19th. He is certainly lauded in his homeland but his works have demonstrated him to be an artist whose reputation can hardly be contained by a single country. His works favorably compare with the finest composers from all of the Nordic…

[sheet-music-for-teachers-school]

Territorial Songs By Sunleif Rasmussen - Book Only Sheet Music For Recorder (...

Territorial Songs By Sunleif Rasmussen - Book Only Sheet Music For Recorder (Buy Print Music BT.WH32043C From Edition Wilhelm Hansen At Sheet Music Plus) - #Songs | via #aePiot

[allkindsofgoodmusic]

Here is more information about Sunleif Rasmussen’s Second Symphony, including some excerpts.