Rolf Wallin:
Under City Skin (2009/2017) for solo violin, string orchestra and surround sound
Appearances (2003/2007)

Eivind Buene:
Miniatures (2009/2016) for ensemble
Violin Concerto (2013–16)

Following his 2001 disc of works by Arne Nordheim, Norwegian violinist Peter Herresthal and BIS have collaborated on the project ’A String of Releases’ –recordings of contemporary violin concertos, in several cases written especially for Herresthal. Featured composers so far have been Olav Anton Thommessen, Henrik Hellsteniusand OrjanMatre–all from Norway –as well as Thomas Adesand Per Norgard. Utterly fearless in his approach to these complex works, Herresthalhas received recognition for his recordings, earning a Spellemannprisen(the ‘Norwegian Grammy’) as well as being shortlisted for a Gramophone Award. The present, amply-filled addition to Herresthal’s ‘string’ features the composers Rolf Wallin(b. 1957) and Eivind Buene (b. 1973). Wallin – one of Scandinavia’s leading composers –has for Herresthalmade a version of Under City Skin, his 2009 concerto for viola and ensemble. The work is a poetic and sonic journey through an imaginary cityscape, with the solo violin and the string orchestra playing off and with a pre-recorded soundtrack. Buene’sViolin Concertowas also conceived with Herresthalin mind. With suggestive individual titles –Falling Angels, Sound Asleepand Among Voices–its three movements are each scored for a different combination of chamber orchestral forces. They can be played separately, but together they form a haunting triptych of melancholy and memory. Supporting Herresthalin the concertos are the conductor Oyvind Bjoraand musicians from the Arctic Philharmonic, in two different configurations: as a chamber orchestra and a sinfonietta. Bjoraand the Sinfoniettaalso perform Wallin’sAppearancesand Buene’sMiniatures, for 15 and 16 musicians respectively.

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Recording: March–April 2016 at the Stormen Concert Hall, Bodo, Norway (5, 12–14); December 2016 at the Stormen Concert Hall, Bodo, Norway (6–11); December 2016 at the Concert Hall of the Music Conservatory of the Arctic University of Norway, Tromso (1–4)