With the international success of his operas and symphonic works during the past decade, the Danish composer Poul Ruders has been acclaimed as a major figure in today's musical world. Volume 6 of Bridge's Poul Ruders series presents the premiere recordings of recent solo, chamber and orchestral compositions. The newest work is Ruders's Piano Concerto No. 2, a brilliant 24-minute composition in three movements. The work was recorded by its first executants, the Russian/American piano virtuoso Vassily Primakov, and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Søndergård. Bel Canto was composed by Ruders for the Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition. The short work is introverted in nature, and is in effect a study in sustained playing and refined tone. Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean is arguably Ruders's finest chamber work - a 33 minute, nine movement piece, inspired by the writings of the late Carl Sagan. In this piece, Ruders produces a stunning variety of textures and expression from his five performers.
Reviews:
“Both cumulatively and individually, the works on this CD demonstrated Ruders’ flawless dramatic sense and his ability to convey his rhetoric with a wide and sincere range of musical expressions.” - Sequenza 21
“Among the three works offered is an audacious Piano Concerto No. 2, performed dazzlingly by the pianist Vassily Primakov and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Sondergard. This one is madcap, eclectic and teeming with drama.” - The New York Times
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PDF Booklet
Grammy Nominee: Best Contemporary Classical Composition (Piano Concerto No. 2)
Piano Concerto No. 2 (2009/10)
Vassily Primakov, piano
Norwegian Radio Orchestra
Thomas Søndergård, conductor
Bel Canto (2004)
Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen, violin
Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean (2004)
Mikko Luoma, accordion, iO String Quartet
BRIDGE 9336
Related discs:
9475, 9433, 9427, 9382, 9375, 9237, 9143, 9136, 9122, 9098, 9057, 9037