The Royal Norwegian Navy Band is without a doubt one of the fi nest military bands in Europe. Their conductor is a civilian – Leif Arne Pedersen,who is also famous as the Principal Clarinettist with the Oslo Philharmonic. This programme of Norwegian music naturally features music by Grieg but also includes music by Halvorsen and Svendsen,showing that Grieg was not the only excellent Norwegian composer. There is a wide variety of repertoire on theis CD showing the Band’s great versatility. This recording was made in the Band’s local concert hall ‘Bakkenteige’ near Horten on the Oslo Fjord where the RNNB is stationed. Each player in the Band is capable of being a section principal,they have all trained at music college and many undertake frequent important freelance engagements with the best Norwegian classical ensembles,hence the excellent quality of performance.