The first rays of the morning sun enliven the landscape.
Slowly he walks over the smooth swathes of rock.
Between heaven, earth and water, the artist finds a way.
He pauses for a moment and blinks a little.

The composer Henning Sommerro chooses themes from myths and from European history from a deep time perspective. Three works for soloists and orchestra and three visions encounter resistance before coming to a possible redemption and resolution. The first work is Solstice. The skald Sigvat Tordsson is on his way to the eternal city. It is just before the summer solstice, and the skald has time to reflect on important questions in his life and times – and on who he wants to include in his visions.

We are lured further to Ostara and the mysterious spring goddess of the same name. The stakes are high as the spring equinox approaches. It’s about one step forward and two steps back. Underground, bilateral lines of communication are busy announcing spring … or are they? The sense of seriousness is heightened, and the final track adds weight to the album’s title.

In Borders we enter our own time. It is 2016 and our world view is being shaken by an influx of refugees the likes of which Europe has not seen since the Second World War. Accusations across national borders are accumulating. It is the others who are responsible for taking in refugees and the hope for a common response is shattered. Who dares to acknowledge and respond to the alarmist bluster at the beginning of the work?

Without thinking, he draws a line with one foot.
He squats and then jumps from one side of the line to the other.
Outside. Inside.
He repeats this a few times, then stops abruptly and stares at the horizon.
Forever he seems to stand like this.

Sigmund Groven, Harmonica
Roar Engelberg, Pan flute
Marianne Thorsen, Violin
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra
Nick Davies TZ, Conductor