Special offer. First Light: Muhly & Glass
Pekka Kuusisto (violin), Nico Muhly (piano), Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
this album’s sensitive pairing of the two composers’ work confirms their similarities but equally demonstrates how Muhly’s voice is very much his own…Kuusisto, a long-time collaborator of Muhly’s...
Special offer. First Light: Muhly & Glass
Pekka Kuusisto (violin), Nico Muhly (piano), Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
Purchase product
this album’s sensitive pairing of the two composers’ work confirms their similarities but equally demonstrates how Muhly’s voice is very much his own…Kuusisto, a long-time collaborator of Muhly’s...
About
Violinist Pekka Kuusisto and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra present First Light, the first fruit of Kuusisto’s tenure as the ensemble’s Artistic Director, on which two eminent New York composers are cast in a Nordic light. The album offers the world premiere recording of Nico Muhly’s Shrink (Concerto for Violin and Strings), a unique, remotely-recorded rendition of Philip Glass’ The Orchard by Kuusisto and Muhly, and Kuusisto’s new string orchestra arrangement of Glass’ “Mishima” String Quartet No. 3.
Violinist, conductor and composer Pekka Kuusisto is renowned for his artistic freedom and flair in directing ensembles. Since its formation in 1977 the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra has established itself as one of the foremost chamber orchestras on the international classical music scene today. Nico Muhly is one of the most-performed composers of his generation, and appears as pianist on this album.
Kuusisto, the NCO and Muhly all make their PENTATONE debut.
Contents and tracklist
- Arr. for Violin & Piano
- Pekka Kuusisto (violin), Nico Muhly (piano)
- Arr. P. Kuusisto for String Orchestra
- Pekka Kuusisto (violin)
- Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
Spotlight on this release
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Awards and reviews
September 2021
this album’s sensitive pairing of the two composers’ work confirms their similarities but equally demonstrates how Muhly’s voice is very much his own…Kuusisto, a long-time collaborator of Muhly’s and the work’s dedicatee, is faultless in this premiere recording.
September 2021
[Shrink is] performed here with characteristic grit and flair by its dedicatee Pekka Kuusisto and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.
19th June 2021
[The Muhly is] a perfect mirror of the word “shrink” and a platform for Kuusisto in hyperactive, virtuosic mode. Glass’s The Orchard (from The Screens), in comparison, is a work of slow, long-breathed elegy. Muhly is the pianist, with Kuusisto beautifully lyrical and tender – a track you immediately want to share.
