• Per Nørgård
  • Helle Nacht - Violinkoncert nr. 1 (1987)
    (Helle Nacht - Violin Concerto No. 1)

  • Edition Wilhelm Hansen Copenhagen (World)

A "chamber version” - for violin solo og sinfonietta was arrangered by Steve Ferre in 2002, and premiered by the violinist Peter Herresthal.

  • 3.2.2.2/4.3.3.0/3perc/str
  • 1(pic).1(ca).2(ebcl.bcl).1(cbn)/1.1.1.0/2perc/pf(cel)/str (1.1.1.1.1)
  • Violin
  • 24 min

Programme Note

This is my third work for solo string instrument and orchestra, the other two being "Between" for cello and "Remembering Child" for viola.

The title "Light Night" refers to the caracteristics of each of the four movements.

The "light" translucent quality of the melody, sound and rhythm, woven into a fine filigree; the Night revealed in the multi-layered possibilities of interpretation, like/constantly/changing the aspect of a turning prism, with each performing appearing differntly to the listeners. Of course this is more or less the case with every musical work but in HELLE NACHT the ambiguity is made innermost principle.

The first and last movements form a symphonic frame for the inner two more static interludes though even in these light is constantly breaking through.

I wrote the concerto during 1986-87 at the request of Anton Kontra.

Per Nørgård

Note: The following text might by added, when relevant:
The “chamber version” - for violin solo og sinfonietta - was arrangered by Steve Ferre in 2002, and premiered by the violinist Peter Herresthal.

Media

Helle Nacht (Bright Night), "Violin Concerto No. 1": I. Allegro moderato
Helle Nacht (Bright Night), "Violin Concerto No. 1": II. Adagio
Helle Nacht (Bright Night), "Violin Concerto No. 1": III. Allegro leggero
Helle Nacht (Bright Night), "Violin Concerto No. 1": IV. Poco allegro

Discography