BO LUNDBY-JÆGER (b.1964): Offertorium for Mezzo-Soprano, Violin, Percussion and Piano, 7 Stages to 3 Chinese Texts for Small Ensemble, Trio in 2 Movements for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, Elements in 3 Movements for Flute and Piano, 3 Songs for Violin and Piano.

Description: These chamber works are written in a very individual language which juxtaposes fragmentary gestures of the avant garde with pulsating, consonant material of somewhat minimalistic effect, and passage of static calm and ritualistic stillness. These contrasts of vocabulary are mirrored in the sometimes abrupt contrasts of dynamic and level of dissonance - from none at all, to unpitched noise sounds. In the two works with texts, Lundby-Jæger sets a Biblical passage and three Chinese poems respectively, with themes of the impermanence of life and the imponderability of death, and the music comments on these ideas, dancing in celebration of life one minute, meditating on its inevitable end the next. The trio contrasts the two movements; the first, a somber, introspective and hesitant meditation against the second, a hectic irregular dance. The flute and violin works are technically challenging, highly expressive works for both instruments (and with formidable parts for the composer's own instrument, the piano), again involving the widest contrasts of material, from straightforward lyricism to microtonal inflections to extended playing techniques. Danish-English texts. Helene Gjerris (mezzo), Danish Chamber Players.