In her autobiography (The Flagstad Manuscript, 1952), Kirsten Flagstad tells of the joy she experienced on finding when she began to give concerts in the United States that the Americans so took to the songs of her native country and particularly of Grieg. She herself had been brought up with them and even included some in the program of one of her first professional engagements, at an Oslo jail in 1913. She was told that one prisoner due for release had asked to stay on till Easter so that he could hear ‘that girl’ again.
The cycle ‘Haugtussa’ (The Mountain Maid, 1895) was almost entirely unknown to listeners outside Scandinavia till Flagstad issued her first recording of it in 1940. Even then it failed to achieve the popularity its melodies and poignancy should have eared for it and only since the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth has it won due recognition. Yet Flagstad had a great love for it and put heart and soul into the songs.
This second volume of ‘The Flagstad Recitals’ focuses on Grieg as well as other Scandinavian composers, offering songs with both piano as well as orchestral accompaniment.
EDVARD GRIEG
Haugtussa – Song cycle Op. 67
Jeg elsker dig (I love thee), Op. 5, No. 3
Eros, Op. 70, No. 1
Millom Rosor, Op. 39, No. 4
Der gynger en baad paa bflge, Op. 69, No. 1
Hytten, Op. 18, No. 2
Det ffrste mfde, Op. 21, No. 1
Jeg giver mit digt våren, Op. 21, No. 3
Med en primula veris, Op. 26, No. 4
Med en Vandilje (With a waterlily), Op. 25, No. 4
En drfm, Op. 48, No. 6
I Liden hfjt deroppe, Op. 39, No. 3
Fra Monte Pincio (From Monte Pincio), Op. 39, No. 1
Liden Kirsten, Op. 60. No. 1
Den Aergjerridge, Op. 26, No. 3
JEAN SIBELIUS
Om, kvällen (Illalle), Op. 17, No. 6 (orch. Jalas)
Var det en drom? (Was it a dream?), Op. 37, No. 4 (orch. Jalas)
Höstkväll, Op. 38, No. 1 (orch. Sibelius)
Diamanten på Marssnön (Diamond in the snow), Op. 36, No. 6 (orch. Sibelius)
Flickan kom ifran sin äsklings möte (The Tryst), Op. 37, No. 5 (orch. Pingoud)
Arios, Op. 3 (orch. Sibelius)
Våren flyktar hastigt, Op. 13, No. 4 (orch. Sibelius)
Se’n har jag ej fragat mera, Op. 17, No. 1 (orch. Sibelius)
Men min fagel marks, Op. 36, No. 2 (orch. Pingoud)
På verandan vid n, Op. 37, No. 1 (orch. Fougstedt)
Svarta Rosor, Op. 36, No. 1 (orch. Pingoud)
Såv, såv, susa, Op. 36, No. 4 (orch. Hellmann)
Kom nu hit, död!, Op. 60, No. 1 (orch. Sibelius)
EDVARD GRIEG
Efterårsstormen, Op. 18, No. 4
Og jeg vil ha mig hjaertenskjaer, Op. 60, No. 5 (arr. Valdar)
Jeg giver mit digt våren, Op. 21, No. 3 (arr. Valdar)
Til én’, Op. 59, No. 3 (arr. Valdar
Til én, Op. 59, No. 4 (arr. Valdar)
ARNE EGGEN
Aere det evige forår I livet
EYVIND ALNAES
De hundrede violiner
Vaarlaendsler
Nu brister i alle de klöfter
Februarmorgen ved golfen
HARALD LIE
Nykelen
Skinnveng – brev
Kirsten Flagstad, soprano
Edwin McArthur, piano
London Symphony Orchestra
Oivin Fjeldstad
[Grieg Songs] ‘Listening to Mme Flagstad’s recital makes one regret that she did not record more of her great countryman. The songs are varied and rewarding and her account of From Monte Pincio, one of the finest, is beautifully characterised as indeed are nearly all the songs on this record. I only regret that the quality of the recording was not better. The voice remains undimmed…’ Gramophone
‘…what a marvellously fresh and original work ‘Haugtussa’ is and how glorious is Flagstad’s tone and characterisation! I do urge readers who do not know this song-cycle to invest in this record’ Gramophone