Marcus Paus, one of the most performed Norwegian composers of his generation, made his name writing film scores and operas. This is his debut solo release as a composer.

There is a refreshing directness in the music of Marcus Paus, with its elegant and memorable melodic material. The Cello Sonata explores a very limited group of motifs from a variety of perspectives. The solo cello opens the release with the meditative Trauermusik (mourning music) which is inspired by the music of J S Bach and Marin Marais. This is followed by a short series of miniatures, ‘Four Memento Mori’ for solo piano, which were written for an exhibition of paintings by the artist Christopher Radlund in 2007.

Norwegain composer Marcus Paus was born in 1979 and is one of the most frequently commissioned and performed Norwegian composers of his generation. Paus’ music has been performed by leading ensembles and musicians all over the world. He studied composition at the Manhattan School of Music and has established himself as a composer whose music is based on traditional harmony and melody.

Cellist Johannes Martens studied at London’s Guildhall School of Music with Truls Mørk and is a member of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Pianist

Joachim Kwetzinsky received his training at the Norwegian Academy of Music with Einar Steen-Nøkleberg and Liv Glaser. In 2009 he received the Robert Levin Prize.