Composer
Henning Sommerro is well known in his native Norway, having written about 140 film and theater scores. He has even gained listeners in the U.S. thanks to his association with Norway's
2L label and its marvelous surround-sound audiophile productions, which routinely land on Grammy Award nomination lists; indeed, this 2024 release earned a nomination for Best Immersive Audio/Producer of the Year. The audio virtues will be evident even to ordinary mortals and their sound equipment, for
Sommerro's scores are transparent, Mahlerian creations whose every detail is brought out by
2L's engineering staff here. As for the music, it reflects both
Sommerro's background in film and theater music and an earlier stint as a folk musician. The three works on the album are each concertos, one for harmonica, one for pan flute, and one for violin. The programs are spelled out in the booklet in striking detail, and they pass the test of contemporary program music, namely that a listener unacquainted with the notes might make at least a reasonable guess as to the contents. The first two concertos are rooted in mythology, and the third in the contemporary immigration crisis. That may seem an odd mix, but
Sommerro's evocative language is flexible enough to accommodate it. Especially recommended to audiophiles, this release will appeal as well to general listeners who are curious about the contemporary Norwegian scene. ~ James Manheim
