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VESTFOLD PSYKLUS Volume 1.
Miniatures by composers from (mostly) the county of Vestfold (Norway):
Per Christian Arnesen
Rune Boutroue Bekkhus
Olav Berg
Åsmund Erichsen
Trond Erikson
Magnar Heimdal
First performance dates available on the scores
The composer/pianist Bjørn Norwall Hoemsnes and the composer/clarinettist Roger Arve Vigulf conceived the idea for Ensemble KammerKlang (EKK) in the fall 2018. In the absence of a stable ensemble for contemporary music in the county of Vestfold, Hoemsnes and Vigulf took the initiative to create such a group. The ensemble is based on the "Pierrot" model: flute, clarinet, violin, 'cello and piano, plus percussion. The main aim of the group was to offer quality performances of contemporary music in its main area of operation, i.e. Vestfold and its neighbouring county Østfold – with possible expansion to other areas if and when possible.
It had to be, however, an ensemble with a difference. A requirement for the group's existence was that it would invite local composers to write miniatures, lasting between 1 and 2 minutes, for the ensemble. Five such works were written for EKK's two debut concerts in the Tønsberg Public Library in March 2019. These five works – by Bjørn Norwall Hoemsnes, George Hitching, Roger Vigulf, Roger Wendelwick and Per Christian Arnesen – were premiered at those concerts under the collective title "Pentameron". Arnesen's contribution was inspired by the celebrated 17th Century Italian collection of fairytales of the same title. It was also, of course, a group of five pieces. The positive reception of these miniatures gave birth to the idea of a Vestfold Psyklus – notice the 'P'. This "psyklus" was to become an ever growing collection of miniatures out of which a suite – normally five or six pieces – would be put together for every single EKK concert. One or more new additions to the cycle have been played in almost every single concert since the ensemble's inception.
Why "psyklus" and not merely "syklus" (cycle)? This colourful mosaic of musical miniatures aims to have its finger on Vestfold's creative pulse, its psychological state. To report on its Zeitgeist. It is therefore a "(p)sycle". The existence of this ongoing project also acts as a preservation of sorts of the compositional ecosystem in the county of Vestfold and its neighbours. The contributing composers can be sure that their works will be performed at some EKK concert or other. Works by composers from Østfold and even the Oslo area have, eventually, found their way into the cycle.
A project of such originality and scope begs for a collected edition. This first volume - which will be followed by two more - addresses the need. We, at Amethyst Edition, wish eventual ensembles much joy in exploring these delightful and varied miniatures.
Ricardo Odriozola, Bergen, January 17th 2025
A note on this edition:
Unless specifically indicated, the scores (i.e. the clarinet parts) are transposed.
Composers' biographies and descriptions of the pieces precede each of the scores.
Every attempt has been made to make the format of the scores as homogeneous as possible. However, as we live in a time when most composers notate - or even compose - their works digitally, each score has its particular imprint. With some exceptions, the scores in this edition are a reworking and retouching of the originals. In the absence of a manuscript, the original digital scores act as the bona fide facsimiles. As such, each one has its peculiarities. Therefore, we feel that the visual dissimilarities between the works - or even between several works by the same composer - are to be celebrated.
Henry Eichheim - Oriental Impressions
(geb. Chicago, 3. Januar 1870 - gest. Santa Barbara, 22. August 1942)
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