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This is Øystein Baadsvik's first major work for tuba and orchestra. Arrangement for tuba solo and British style brass band by the composer.

"Simply gorgeous"
Dan Morgan - Musicweb International

A Journey

I first performed with L. Subramaniam at his Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival in 2014. During this tour across India I had the great honour and pleasure to work with some of the best musicians in the country. The biggest eye-opener though, was Subramaniam’s violin playing. During my thirty years as a professional musician I have never encountered a musician with such an intense presence while playing. This, combined with his mind-blowing technique and pure playfulness, made each concert a revelation. 

The biggest driving force during my career has always been the joy of musical exploration, so during a day off on the tour, aboard a boat on the beautiful Kerala Backwaters, it struck me that this simply had to be explored further. I asked Subramaniam to write us a double concerto for Indian violin, tuba and orchestra. Simultaneously, the idea of a complete disc was born.

The funny thing about small ideas is that they have a tendency to grow. All of a sudden the project included the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, conductor Jaakko Kuusisto, Ambi Subramaniam on violin, singer Kavita Krishnamurti, D S R Murthy on mridangam and Toms Mikāls on keyboard. A few years, concerts and recording sessions later, you are holding the result in your hand. A unique musical journey through classical Indian ragas, epic orchestral landscapes and breath-taking virtuosity.

Øystein Baadsvik

with Piano; 3 movements; Cornet, Flugelhorn and Piccolo preferred

One of Mahler's favorite books was collection of German folk poetry entitle Das Knaben Wunderhorn.  He set a number of these poems to music for solo voice and piano, which he later scored for orchestra.  Inspired by these poems, he wrote his own poetry which formed the lyrics of "Songs of a Wayfarer", which he also set to music.  These two song cycles have become some of his most beloved compositions, and among his most frequently performed works.  This setting for trumpet and piano, soon to be scored for trumpet and band, captures the whimsical nature of German folk song, although the themes are original by Mahler.  The composer later incorporated some of these melodies into his orchestral works.  At the request of Dr. Mark Ponzo, my colleague from Northern Illinois University, I selected three leider from these two song cycles to be scored for trumpet.  As I reflected upon the beautiful melodies, I was inspired to utilize both the lyrical and technical nature of the trumpet to convey Mahler's ideas, while expanding upon them as well.  

I. Ging Heut Morgen Übers Feld

(Went This Morning Over the Field)

from "Songs of the Wayfarer" 

II. Die Zwei Blauen Augen

(The Two Blue Eyes of My Darling)

from "Songs of the Wayfarer"

III. Wer Hat Dies Liedel Erdacht

(Up there on the Hill)

from "Des Knaben Wunderhorn"