REVIEWS

In February 2023 I had the honour of working with Ensemble Kammerklang. They asked me to compose a work of 10 minutes duration. I knew them to be musicians of the highest calibre.

At the rehearsal, it became clear that all the musicians had thoroughly studied and learned their parts, and that the conductor, Thomas Rimul, had mastered the score. The energy they brought to the music was powerful, and their techical mastery was exemplary.Every intention to detail was explored. At one point I suggested that some Violin and Cello bowing should be changed. It was clear to Thomas that it was ok as it was. He was, of course, correct.

There were 2 live performances. This is where their musicianship really stood out. The phrasing and overall shape of the work was wonderfully balanced. I was delighted with the committed performances and the supreme musicianship of the ensemble.

Stephen Gardner, composer. Dublin, September 2023

A DREAM... As a composer one is always full of expectations. SoAs a rule one expects that a performance will correspond with the way one has imagined the music in one's hjead. Although seldom, it does occur that reality xxx expectations! This happened to me in Sande Church on August 25th [year?] when Ensemble KammerKlang premiered my work “Borderlines”. Both the conductor and the musicians showed a remarkable enthusiasm and joy. Clear shaping of dynamics and sound balance. A rhythmical vitality and precision that one only rarely encounters in this genre. The ensemble dared to make music, interpret and form the music in keeping with the foundations of a powerful musical inheritance. A foundation that, in our time often loses itself in an academic vacuum. The concert continued with the first part of John Kennedy's "Chaconne", which received its European premiere. I personally had trouble connecting the title with the musical expression but, as far as I understood, one was not supposed to take the title literally in its technical aspect. Another brilliant performance. The title “Vestfold Psyklus” shows a proper sense of humour and is a smart way of enticing composers (from both sides of the fjord) to come up with short movements. The ensemble once again loaded itself with enthusiasm and precision and provided both colour and temperature to these varied features. The concert concluded with Edvard Hagerup Bull's Sextet op 58. A very demanding work, both for the players and the audience. The piece could, perhaps, had made a stronger impression had it been placed earlier in the programme. With so much good sound in the eardrums already, I have to admit that I was not 100% concentrated here. All the same, quite a feat. Thank you for a great concert experience!

Frank Nordensten