Occurrence (CD & Bluray Audio) - Kuusisto, Pekka (violin) - Various

Occurrence is the third and, at least for now, final installment in a highly illuminating series dedicated to works by contemporary Icelandic composers performed by Iceland's 70-year-old national orchestra. Speaking for myself – and certainly for many others – the series has been a milestone project that every conscientious collector of symphonic music simply must discover. With these three albums, Sono Luminus has skillfully capitalized on the growing global interest in the music of Daniel Bjarnason and Anna Thorvaldsdottir, using their works as a means to introduce seven new composers with unique and compelling voices. Three of the composers featured on the Occurrence album return from previous installments in the series. Haukur Tomasson, whose Piano Concerto No. 2 was the highlight of the second release in the series, Concurrence. These repeat appearances prove fortunate, showcasing new facets of these familiar new creators. One, Bjarnason's own violin concerto, hardly needs any introduction, as it has already proven its merits and appeal on concert stages around the world since... its world premiere at the Hollywood Bowl in 2017. Pekka Kuusisto, the violinist for whom the work was written, demonstrates his outstanding skill as a technician, melodist, collaborator and – not least – whistler, and the orchestral accompaniment is, unsurprisingly, lively and alert.