Per Nørgård (1932-2025) is one of the greatest Nordic composers of all times, whose relentless curiosity redefined the boundaries of sound. 

On 8 May a new album will be released with world premiere recordings of rarely heard piano works featuring pianist Christina Bjørkøe. Rare Piano Works – Selections will be released as a digital only album and is a prelude to an upcoming double CD with even more piano works releasing in early 2027.

Nørgård and the piano

Nørgård’s earliest musical explorations took place at the family’s grand piano. Classical piano lessons followed, until he began composing by trying to set down his musical ideas on the piano. Christina Bjørkøe's new recordings offer a rare glimpse into Nørgård’s private dialogue with the piano with a collection of works that have never before been recorded – some of them never even performed!

The release showcases surprising sides of Nørgård. Stjerne-barcarole (‘Star Barcarole’) is an example of how he was inspired by the poetic folk rock of the 1960s. Stjerne-barcarole was written for a collaboration with singer-songwriter Hanne Methling. Here Methling's folk melody is woven into a minimalistic and poetic nocturne.

A gift for Holmboe

On the album one can also explore connections across Nørgård's production, e.g. in Maj på vej ('May on its Way') which contains fragments of the beautiful Flos ut Rosa melody. There are also several references to Nørgård's personal relations and friendships. Magyar Danyl Nota was a birthday present to the Hungarian-born conductor Tamás Vetö who was a central interpreter of Nørgård’s music.

Partita severa was Nørgård's concluding gift to the composer and teacher Vagn Holmboe and his wife Meta Holmboe. In his youth, Nørgård was a private student of Holmboe and a frequent guest of the couple. After passing his school examinations at the age of 18, he went on a motorbike journey through Europe and the Partita was written on his return as a gesture of thanks.

Christina Bjørkøe played the work privately for Per Nørgård in April 2025 – to his great delight. It was established on that occasion that the youthful wildness in the music might well be attributed to the motorbike journey combined with a wish to honour Holmboe’s inspiring seriousness.