The Norwegian Naval Forces' Band (SFMK) has become acquainted with Ketil Hvoslef, both as a person and as a composer, over a period of several years. This musical cooperation and these personal encounters have been invaluable for SFMK.

Hvoslef's generation is not one with a close connection to the digital world. He has only recently learned to use email. Our face-to-face meetings have given us a clear insight into his personal approach to music, as well as a richer perspective on the music than what the score alone could grant us.

It has always been both desirable and natural for SFMK to engage with local composers and commission works from them. Having a well established composer with such a clear voice in Norwegian cultural life in our midst, it was only a matter of time before we approached Hvoslef about a possible cooperation. It began with the work L’homme armé from 2012, which lends its title to this release.

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Recorded at Lungegaardens Kulturarena, Bergen, 21 25 October 2019.