For many years the Busoni student Selim Palmgren was the most frequently performed Finnish composer after Sibelius. With a portfolio of nearly 400 piano works, his contribution to the prestige of the Nordic repertoire was significant both in scope and creative artistry. This fifth volume of Palmgren’s complete solo piano music explores oriental moods in Exotic March, op.46, and includes two of his best-known and most beautiful pieces, Aftonröster, op.47 no.1 (‘Evening Whispers’), and the winter magic of Snöflingor, op.57 no.2 (‘Snowflakes’). The Sonatine in F major, op.93, marked Palmgren’s return to composition after the death of his wife five years earlier and enshrines nostalgia whilst hinting at neo-Classicism.

Jouni Somero is one of the most active performers among present Finnish musicians. He has given over 3,200 concerts in many countries worldwide. He studied piano in Switzerland and at the Music Academy in Cologne under Professor Herbert Drechsel, and, under the legendary Hungarian pianist Georges Cziffra, he deepened his knowledge of the interpretation of Liszt’s music. Michael Ponti, the American virtuoso, has also acted as Somero’s musical advisor. Jouni Somero’s recording career began in 1989 (with Liszt’s 12 Transcendental Études), after which he has made over 100 recordings for different labels, including Naxos. His wide repertoire includes all the solo piano works of Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky and Bortkiewicz, as well as seldomly heard music by, among others, Alkan, Godowsky, Rubinstein, Reinhold, Godard, Cui and Gottschalk. He has also made several piano arrangements of orchestral, operatic and pop music, and his YouTube channel has gained millions of views.

‘A lot to enjoy!’ – Helsingin Sanomat ★★★★ (Vol.1: GP867)

‘Palmgren will be a discovery for many music lovers.’ – Crescendo (Vol.2: GP868)

‘The pianism of Jouni Somero has more sophisticated tones than before, and his grip is excellent for salon-like expression.’ – Helsingin Sanomat ★★★★ (Vol.3: GP869)