Arne Nordheim

condition (record/cover): NM / NM

Greening, Doria, and Epitaffio are three seminal orchestral works by the Norwegian contemporary composer Arne Nordheim (1931–2010). These pieces are frequently grouped together on recordings, most notably on the album featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Per Dreier. Epitaffio (1963) for orchestra and magnetic tape: Written in memory of flautist Alf Andersen, it is one of Nordheim's most famous works. It incorporates an electronically processed version of Salvatore Quasimodo’s poem Ed è subito sera. The piece explores sound modulations between light and dark and features a heavy emphasis on percussion. Greening (1973) for orchestra: An orchestral milestone that established Nordheim's international reputation. It is known for its high modernist style, utilizing a wide spectrum of orchestral colors and sound poetry. It is the longest of the three pieces, typically running about 23–24 minutes. Doria (1975) for tenor and orchestra: A song cycle based on the poem "Doria" from Ezra Pound’s Ripostes. It was specifically written for and dedicated to the legendary tenor Sir Peter Pears. The music is characterized by a "dark, bell-like timbre" and represents a period where Nordheim moved closer to tonal music.