EINAR STEEN-NØKLEBERG

TELLEFSEN: The Complete Works for Solo Piano

The complete solo piano works of Chopin's only proper pupil Thomas Tellefsen are given world premiere performances by the Norwegian pianist Einar Steen-Nøkleberg, whose recordings of the complete piano music of Grieg, Sæverud and Kjærulf are considered to be among the best in the catalogue.

Thomas Tellefsen was introduced to Chopin through Georges Sand, who was totally taken by the young Norwegian's artistic drive and passion for the arts. Tellefsen became Chopin’s only serious pupil, and over a period of time the two became friends. The majority of Tellefsen's piano works belong to the European piano tradition, but they also include melodic figures which are closely linked to Norwegian folk music. National stylistic elements are most evident in the mazurkas, which are considered to include some of his best music. Tellefsen heard Liszt play on several occasions, and Liszt's influence is

particularly evident in the magnificent Grande Polonaise op. 18.

Einar Steen-Nøkleberg’s recordings of Tellefsen's piano concertos (PSC1232) and chamber works (PSC1226) have created much interest around this forgotten composer. So after 50 years with Tellefsen's music, Nøkleberg decided to record not only his published works but also the unpublished manuscripts. The music is performed on an original Erard grand, Tellefsen's favoured instrument.

Einar Steen-Nøkleberg (Steinway grand and Érard grand piano, London 1853)

Disc 1:

Four Mazurkas, Op. 1, Mazurka in A major / Mazurka in A minor / Mazurka in E minor / Mazurka in A major / Nocturne in F major, Op. 2 / Four Mazurkas, Op. 3, Mazurka in G minor / Mazurka in G major / Mazurka in B flat major / Mazurka in F sharp minor / Three Valses Brillantes, Op. 5, Première valse in A flat major / Deuxième valse in G major / Troisième valse in E minor / Tarentelle in E flat major, Op. 6 / Elégie in F minor, Op. 7 / Dance of the Hulders in G minor, Op. 9 / Adagio et Rondo in B minor, Op. 10 / 2e Nocturne in E major, Op. 11 / Thème original et Fantaisie in B flat minor, Op. 12

Disc 2:

Sonata for piano, Op. 13, I / II / III / Six Mazurkas, Op. 14, Mazurka in D 03:26 / Mazurka in G major / Mazurka in F minor / Mazurka in F major / Mazurka in D major / Mazurka in C minor / Feuillets d´Album, Op. 16, Allegro moderato in B flat major / Lento in A flat major / Marche funèbre in C minor / 3e Nocturne in B flat major, Op. 17 / Grande Polonaise in C sharp minor, Op. 18 / Allegretto, Op. 20 / Toccata in F major, Op. 22 / “La petite mendiante” in E minor, Op. 23 / Grande Mazurka in B flat major, Op. 24 / Grande Etude in E major, Op. 25

Disc 3:

Bridal Tune in D major, Op. 26 / Valse in D flat major, Op. 27 / Ballade in C minor, Op. 28 / Marche triomphale in E flat major, Op. 29 / 5e Grande Valse in F major, Op. 30 / 6e Grande Valse in F minor, Op. 30 / Mazurka / Polskdans in A major, Op. 33 / “Au travers d´un songe” in A flat major, Op. 34 / Capriccio appasionato in B minor, Op. 36 / Impromptu pour Piano in G minor, Op. 38 / 4e Nocturne in G flat major, Op. 39 / The Walhalla Feast in G minor, Op. 40 / Mélodies écossaises in C sharp minor Op. 42 / Exercice en sixtes in E major, Op. 43 / Queen Elisabeth Pavane in C sharp minor, Op. 44

Disc 4:

Moderato / Variations on Choral in G major - 'Kimer i klokker' / Prelude in G major – Allegro moderato / Lento - Allegro moderato - tempo primo / Larghetto / Prelude in G major / Suite in G minor / Fughetta’r, versettes & cantabilae, Fughetta I C major / Fughetta II C major (4 voices) / Fughetta III C major (3 voices) / Fughetta IV A minor (4 voices) / Fughetta V A minor (3 voices) / Fughetta VI A minor (4 voices) / Fughetta VII A minor (4 voices) / Versette G minor / Fughetta VIII G minor (3 voices) / Cantabile G minor / Fughetta IX G major (3 voices) / Fughetta X G major (3 voices) / Fughetta XI G major (3 voices) / Cantabile C major / Cantabile D major / Fughetta XII D dorian (3 voices) / Mellomspill (ZWISCHENSPIEL) D dorian / Fughetta XIII D dorian (3 voices) / Versette D minor / Fughetta XIV D minor (4 voices) / Fughetta XV E minor (3 voices) / Prelude to Fugue / A Minor Variation / Waltz A minor / Adagio D major / Prelude G minor / Prelude Andantino E minor / Prelude G major / Prelude D major / Prelude E phrygian (picardian) / Fuga D dorian / Prelude G major / Adagio D minor Alla breve / Prelude G major / Interlude C major / Variations in G on 'Jesus styr du mine tanker' / Prelude G minor - 'I Jesu Navn'

Simax 4cds PSC1239