With recordings of his symphonies and piano music now available, the Norwegian composer Eyvind Alnæs (1872–1932) is slowly emerging from obscurity to take his place as an important successor to Grieg.

Alnæs’ music, like Grieg’s, marrys an essentially lyrical style with the melodies and rhythms of Norwegian folk-music - but also, in his later output, with an awareness of Debussy and French impressionism.

In this recital of Alnæs’ atmospheric songs, most of them not previously recorded, Erling R Eriksen, whose playing of Alnæs’ piano works can be heard on an earlier Toccata Classics CD, returns to his music in the company of Ann-Beth Solvang, one of Norway’s best mezzos.

This CD includes a number of first recordings.

Ann-Beth Solvang, born in Norway, was a member of Hamburg Opera from 2008 to 2011, singing a wide range of roles. She now works freelance. This is her first recording for Toccata Classics.

Erling R Eriksen is professor of piano in the Department of Music and Dance at the University of Stavanger. He teaches also at the Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo.