Per Nørgård

Remembering Child - Version 2013

This is the 2013 version (reduced strings) of Per Nørgård's Remembering Child - Viola concerto No. 1 (1986) - Two Movements for Viola Solo (or Cello solo) and Chamber Orchestra. Programme Note: The title refers to the original meaning of the word 'remembering': Making whole. The work should not be considered as a sort of requiem for Samantha Smith - the late 13 years old fighter for nuclear disarmament - but as an evocation of the childish, creative forces in all people, young and old. Therefore the work applies thematic material of a certain 'dawning' quality, including two Gregorian chants, appearing intertwined in the beginning of the 2. movement. And therefore the workalso may be considered as a tribute to the still living child-heretics, fighting against the global lunacy of grown-up, such as Eamon Burke, the Australian boy, continuing, independently, the work of Samantha. REMBERING CHILD was commissioned by St. Paul Chamber Ochestra and dedicated to Pincas Zuckerman, soloist at the premiere performance (Sept. 12, 1986). Per Nørgård