Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791)

Violin Concertos Nos. 3, 4 and 5
Adagio in E major, K. 261
All cadenzas by Henning Kraggerud

Henning Kraggerud, Violin and Director
Norwegian Chamber Orchestra

RECORDED LIVE AT AKERHUS
CASTLE CHURCH IN OSLO, NORWAY

Despite the limitations of life in his Salzburg birthplace – and the patronage of a new and somewhat unsympathetic Prince-Archbishop – opportunities nevertheless presented themselves to Mozart. Following a commission for Il re pastore in 1775, he wrote a sequence of violin concertos that reveal his own performer’s understanding of the instrument. The concertos are suffused with elegance, vivacity and wit. Mozart’s mastery of solo violin cantilena is matched by prodigious melodic invention and moments of exotic colour, such as the Turkish episode in the Rondeau finale of K. 219.

An artist of exquisite musicianship, Henning Kraggerud is invited time and again to join many of the worldʼs most prestigious orchestras, including the Philharmonia, Hallé́, Danish National Symphony, the Cincinnati, Baltimore, Toronto and Vancouver symphony orchestras and the Hong Kong Philharmonic. He has performed with the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and twice at the BBC Proms in London. As soloist and director, he leads ensembles such as the Britten Sinfonia, the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. In his native Norway, he is Artistic Director of Arctic Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. Kraggerudʼs discography includes many recordings on the Naxos label, including Griegʼs Three Sonatas, arranged for violin and chamber orchestra by Henning Kraggerud and Bernt Simen Lund (8.573137).

Since its formation in 1977 the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra has secured a reputation for itself for its innovative programming and creativity. The artistic directors and guest leaders of the orchestra have included Iona Brown, Leif Ove Andsnes, Martin Fröst, François Leleux and Steven Isserlis together with the current artistic director Terje Tønnesen, who has held this rôle since the orchestra’s formation. The orchestra’s international tours to Europe, Asia and North America have received outstanding reviews at many of the world’s prestigious concert halls and festivals. With nearly forty recordings to date, the NCO has recorded comprehensive chamber orchestra repertoire with distinguished soloists, including Leif Ove Andsnes, Terje Tønnesen, Iona Brown, Truls Mørk, Lars Anders Tomter and Tine Thing Helseth. Highlights include Spellemannpris winning recordings of Grieg / Nielsen works and Haydn piano concertos with Leif Ove Andsnes. The orchestra draws on an enviable roster of Norwegian and international soloists and has always been dedicated to presenting contemporary music as part of its concert repertoire.