Songs & Dances
Stein-Erik Olsen
Roland Dyens: Tango en skai
Agustin Mangoré: Vals op. 8 no. 4
Eduardo de la Maza: Campañas del alba
Astor Piazolla: Three Pieces
Antonio Ruiz-Pipó: Canción y Danza No. 1
Nikita Koshkin: Guitar
John Duarte: English Suite op.31
Antonio Laura: Variat
Dance to the guitar – Stein-Erik Olsen
In the earliest known musical times people sang and danced, and the role of the instruments was solely an accompanimental one; that connection has never been broken but it has become only a segment of a much wider association. In short, instrumental song and dance music developed a life of its own, and it forms the substance of the programme of this record – which also reflects the fact that singing, dancing and guitar playing are world-wide activities.
Stein-Erik Olsen has released many highly acclaimed albums throughout his career. After the successful “Hommage!” (PSC1008) and “Blue Guitar” (PSC1031), the extraordinary guitarist this time embarks on a wide range of works by mostly South-American composers. His musical skills are remarkable, “a master of his craft and a genuine artist,” as the Music & Musicians magazine once commented, which undoubtedly comes to the fore on this recording.
Reviews
"Olsen's musicianship is of the rare type that establishes the heart of the piece at hand in it's very first phrase and then put itself wholly at the service of the music. I find him more colorful and interpretively probing musician then either the estimable Dagoberto Linhares or the very fine Manuel Barrueco, and I would install him in the pantheon of guitar greats somewhere near Julian Bream."
-William Zagorsky, Fanfare USA 1992
"He has included the fine tremolo item “Campanas del Alba”, in his repertoire for years, and plays it beautifully. The Tarentella is exciting as it should be. And Koshkin's lovely “Guitar" is a pleasure to listen to. The Lauro is enjoyable and the less familiar Nevando Esta by Adrian Patino provides a sparkling climax."
-Chris Kilvington, Classical Guitar UK 1993
Stein-Erik Olsen is a guitarist of international calibre – technically brilliant and a musical poet to a fault. It is rare to acutely experience, as is the case here, the intimate and lyrical aspects of the guitar. A highlight is the exquisite performance of John Duarte's charming mixture of folk melodies and original melodic material in “English Suite”. Another is Castelnuovo-Tedesco's “Tarantelle” – this intensely colourful work acts as a persuasive showcase for Stein-Erik Olsen's astonishing gifts."
-VG (Norway)