Vegard Landaas - Aria (2013)

On their new record, «Aria», Vegard Landaas and Anders Eidsten Dahl present some of the finest arias in music history, in an eclectic selection that ranges from Baroque composer Alessandro Marcello to contemporary, Norwegian composers.

An «aria» is a solo song, usually with orchestra accompaniment. But the terms «arie», «aria», «air» and «arietta» can have another meaning as well. Throughout music history, composers have used them to signify instrumental music with beautiful, expressive melodies. Many of the pieces on this album were not written originally for saxophone and organ. Rather, they are special arrangements of these melodies, these «arias».

Vegard Landaas received his diploma in 2000 from the Norwegian Academy of Music, and was the first student with saxophone as principal instrument. He has received sparkling reviews for his solo concertos. Landaas solos regularly with orchestras, choirs and bands, and has produced numerous recordings for classical artists.

Anders Eidsten Dahl has studied church music and music education at the Norwegian Academy of Music. In 2001 he received a diploma in solo organ performance from the same institution. He has served as organist of Bragernes church in Drammen since 2001. Eidsten Dahl pursues an active career as organ soloist and chamber musician in Norway and abroad, and has released several solo abums on the LAWO Classics label.