Although Stravinsky would have preferred to appear immune to his environment and political climate in 1946 New York, it is these elements that make the selected works stand out among Stravinsky’s output. A brutal war that forced his own immigration to America, a chance discovery at a Hollywood bookstore, a lustful meeting at a Parisian cabaret club, and not least of all an emersion in a culture that both embraced and confronted Stravinsky’s artistic core.
The works of composers Igor Stravinsky and Paul Hindemith have a great deal in common: the neo-classical style, the spatial-cosmopolitan broadness, the dance-like energy and last but not least, the new impressions that the composers gained in America- the "New World". The performances Kristjan Järvi has recorded with the Norrlands Orchestra (Sweden) combine all of these qualities. In particular, the infectious rhythmic elements are exploited to their full potential and as always Kristjan Järvi seems to radiate a truly electrifying "high tension".
The works presented in this recording are largely uncelebrated compositions within the oeuvres of two of the most important "serious" composers of the twentieth century. These interpretations are highly dynamic performances and are the logical sequel to what Kristjan Järvi has so far recorded for CCn´C. The 34-year old conductor immigrated with father Neeme Järvi and family from Estonia to America in the early 1980´s. Growing up in New York, Järvi absorbed the kind of energy and rhythmic power that enable him to create these unconventional "all that jazz" musical events which make his recordings and live performances stand out from the rest. His own ABSOLUTE ENSEMBLE is nothing less than sheer passion. Järvi is able to reach the same level of enthusiasm with the open-minded musicians from far-away Umeå in Northsweden’s "Norrland", further testament to his uniqueness as an artist. The most obvious and clear evidence of his special position in the music world is the spectacular SACD "Shifting Landscapes" featuring works by John Adams and Lepo Sumera (CCn´C 01912) and the CD "Songbook" featuring works by Daniel Schnyder and Abdullah Ibrahim (CCn´C 02322).
Currently Kristjan Järvi spends most of his time in Vienna where he is Chief Conductor of the Tonkünstler Orchestra, performing at both the Musikverein (the heart of Vienna´s traditional musicmaking) and the Festspielhaus in St. Pölten. Kristjan Järvi´s complete biography can be found at www.ccnc.com (under "Medien-Service" in the main menu) and the artist's website www.kristjanjarvi.com
Originally the Symphony Orchestra of Norrlands Opera was founded as a military band, established in Umeå, Northern Sweden in 1841. Today its emphasis is on playing both operatic and symphonic music, as well as being a resource for the greater Norrland region.
