Flute Mystery

by Fred Jonny Berg

Emily Beynon: Flute

Catherine Beynon: Harp

Philarmonica Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy and Fred Jonny Berg

EAN13: 7041888513926 (available in CD and Blu-ray)

Listening to this disc introduced the writer to the pleasant new discovery of the music of Fred Jonny Berg. This innovative Norwegian composer (born in 1973) has written prolifically for a wide range of instruments and instrumental combinations, including the flute and flute family, with compositions being dedicated and performed by such esteemed flautists as James Galway and Emily Beynon. His works are accessible yet distinctive, are largely tonal, colourful and melodic with a convincing emotional pull. The originality of his music can perhaps be linked to his wide experience in range of other areas such as film making, writing, directing and singing.

This disc presents some of the composer’s key works for flute, performed by Emily Beynon, Principal Flautist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (who visited the Australian Flute Festival in Sydney in 2006). She is joined by Catherine Beynon, Principal Harpist with the Orchestra Philharmonic de Luxemburg and the pioneering UK ensemble the Philharmonia Orchestra (with Vladimir Ashkenazy).

The recording features imaginatively named works such as Flute Mystery (the title track; for solo flute, harp and string orchestra - a version for alto flute also exists) and Warning Zero, Pastorale and Vicino alla Montagna (all for orchestra). However, the highlight of the disc for flautists will be the virtuosic 20 minute flute concerto in four movements, written in 2007.

The first movement (Memento) sets the scene with an impressionistic, pastorale opening. This is followed by Reminiscence, an expressive and heavily ornamented flute solo accompanied solely by strings. The quirky Obituary incorporates playful gliassandi in the high register. Extremes of dynamic change quickly and the technical prowess of the player is on full display. Finally, Awakening features glass harmonica, tubular bells and flutter tonguing and trills from the flute soloist. The bells toll in an atmospheric way drawing the work to a close.

An interesting, and forward thinking, feature which sets this recording (released by Norwegian label 2L) apart is its presentation in both CD and Blu-ray formats. For this reason, in December 2009 this disc was nominated for a GRAMMY in the category Best Surround Sound Album.

Recorded at Watford Colosseum in London, the Blu-ray option offers listeners the experience of three-dimensional surround sound. The orchestra was recorded in a circle, all musicians facing each other and surrounding the listener. The liner notes include diagrams of all orchestra set-ups and microphone placements for each piece. The high resolution audio available from the Blu-ray recording is paired with the convenience of using a single player for music, DVDs and CDs. 2L anticipates that this style of musical recording will take off significantly in the future – and if this is so, it is likely that music lovers will be out purchasing Blu-ray players quite quickly, as the difference is distinct.

Berg works closely with the company Symbiophonic, which publishes his sheet music, available to download (and also leave comments) free of charge from www.symbiophonic.as

Morwenna Collett has a Masters degree, Honours degree, and the University Medal from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and works as an Arts Development Officer for a government arts agency. An experienced flute teacher, she enjoys performing contemporary Australian music and playing the entire flute family, and plays in the Gold Coast Symphony Orchestra and the Zephyr wind quintet.