Acclaimed by major critics for his immensely authoritative readings of the music of Ravel and Schumann, Norwegian pianist Sigurd Slåttebrekk has become something of a cause celebre in his native land. Heralded as one of Europe's most promising talents, he abandoned the world of music altogether in 1997 in favor of raising a family and devoting time and greater thought to artistic issues.

Giving up some 60 concerts per season, Mr. Slåttebrekk became disenchanted with the routine world of everyday commerce that drives the establishment. Thus did he take time out to reflect on his position in the music world, and to pursue several non-music projects, among them a series of 26 animated films for children. These have since been acquired by five European networks, and will be broadcast throughout the continent.

But it was Norwegian television, astounded by his decision, that made Mr Slåttebrekk himself the subject of a television documentary that was broadcast throughout Norway. Shortly thereafter, Simax Records, which had released his debut recording of Revel's piano music, once again welcomed him to its studios for a survey of Schumann's piano works.

Sigurd Slåttebrekk began his studies with his mother, and then continued with Ingeborg Songe Moller, with Jerome Lowenthal at the Julliard School, and with Lazar Berman. He graduated from the Norwegian State Academy in the class of Professor Einar Steen-Nøkleberg. He has been a prizewinner in both Norwegian and international piano competitions. Among his most significant victories were the Diplome de Laureat at the Bratislava Rostrum Competition, and the Third Prize at the Queen Sonja International Music Competition in Oslo. His recording of Ravel's piano music won the coveted Norwegian Spellemannprisen, the Scandinavian equivalent of the Grammy award.

Since his debut concert in 1991, he has appeared as both recitalist and soloist with orchestra in several European capitals. He recently recorded th e Grieg Piano Concerto with the Oslo Philharmonic, under the baton of Mikhail Jurovskij . It is scheduled for release in 2005 on the Simax label.

A memoire by August Albertsen:

"Everyone who was there, I am sure, can recall the event. Sigurd Slåttebrekk made it into a personal credo without ever toppling anything. Just extending everything that is there into a sphere that enthralled us all. This was an artist immensely gifted. During the next few years Sigurd Slåttebrekk's international career flourished. He traveled widely, appearing with many of Europe's top orchestras. In 1997 he was awarded the Norwegian 'Grammy' for his debut CDS featuring piano music by Maurice Ravel.

"Then something really unexpected happened. Slåttebrekk decided to quit -to stop performing altogether. This is not the place to examine the complex web of reasons behind his decision. Let it suffice to say that a number of connoisseurs in Scandinavia felt that the music world had lost one of its most promising young performers. After a hiatus of seven years, Slåttebrekk's urge to communicate with an audience returned. And his audience had not abandoned him. He made his comeback at the Oslo Chamber Music Festival in August 2002.l with a solo recital presenting an all-Schumann programme. The recital was a triumph at every level. A 34-year-old master was back here he belonged, and delivered definitive proof that he had a closer bond to the special Schumannesque poetry than almost anyone else. The proof of the playing is in the listening. "

Reviews

"Perhaps it is only necessary to make an analogy with Rubinstein's Valse nobles, with Cortot's Jeux d'eau, and Michelangeli's Gaspard de la nuit, to convey to the reader what kind of playing this extraordinary disc presents."

Igor Kipnis - Schwann/Opus
 

"One of the most charismatic players I've ever heard. He is a musical wizard who out-Giesekings Gieseking at his own game. The Gaspard here is breathtaking, easily holding its own among the great interpretations."

John Bell Young, American Record Guide
 

"The finest Gaspard I know. Slåttebrekk is a very special pianist, and I hope to hear much more from him. Highly recommended."

Charles Timbrell, Fanfare.
 

"By comparison [to Mikhail Pletnev] the Norwegian pianist Sigurd Slåttebrekk allows the Arabeske to travel naturally, preserving the contrasts between Schumann's tempi, so that the eloquence of the coda is unforced and all the more affecting. His sound here is melting, whereas in the opening of Carnaval it is rich and brilliant. He surpasses Georges Emmanuel Lazarfidis in grandeur … Nevertheless, there's an element of bravura in Schumann's own piano writing, and Slåttebrekk does it full justice. His Kreisleriana has as much madness and exuberance as Argerich's…And that strangely haunting final piece is equally impalpable. Overall this is one of the most remarkable Schumann recordings ever to have come my way."

Adrian Jack, BBC Music Magazine
 

"Now that he's back, which music lovers everywhere can be grateful for, it's obvious that the interceding years have only enriched his playing and broadened his interpretive perspectives. Here is a bold and exceptionally passionate player who looks behind the notes and brings music to life… To the evergreen Carnaval, Mr. Slåttebrekk brings the spirited but informed vivacity, and above all the fantasy, that Cortot and Rubinstein did so brilliantly in their celebrated recordings…. Promenade, for example, marches forth nobly, while Mr. Slattebrekk's pre-occupation with contrapuntal relationship disclose a great deal more about the inner workings of this famous piece than most readings. … Mr. Slåttebrekk's tender, impassioned performance, while every bit as sumptuously detailed as Michelangeli's, or Arrau's, is also more fluid rhythmically. Indeed, his rhythmic sensibility exploits each of the little motivic motors that propel the music forward and keeps it born aloft. Witness his wonderfully shaded readings of Coquette, Replique; his elegantly drawn Chopin; and his huge-hearted, compelling, and structurally intelligible excursion through the concluding Davidbundler March. "

Clavier

Audio samples

SCHUMANN: Selections from Carnaval

• sample 1
• sample 2
• sample 3
• sample 4

RAVEL: Ondine and Scarbo from Gaspard de la Nuit

• Ondine
• Scarbo

RAVEL: Jeux d'Eaux

• Jeux d'Eaux

Contact details and further information

E-mail IMCA
352-476-3024

E-mail Sigurd Slåttebrekk