Johan Halvorsen, a man and his violin - Per Kristian Skalstad, Tor Espen Aspaas

The influence of the theater on the life of composer, violinist and conductor Johan Halvorsen dates as far back as his youth. During his time as musical director for Norway’s two most important theatrical stages he composed music for over thirty different plays. As a performer he was the guiding light for several generations of Norwegian violinists, and as a composer he was to broaden Norway’s international reputation through a number of important chamber works. The unusually visual nature of his music left so strong an imprint upon his contemporaries, that he was presented with a violin of exceptional quality and value by a Russian patron. On this recording, two of Norway’s foremost musicians allow us to become acquainted with Johan Halvorsen’s chamber music — on the composer’s own instrument.

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