Sigurd Lie's complete chamber music released on Simax today
Today, Sigurd Lie's complete chamber music works is released on the Simax label. Sigurd Lie has long been a forgotten gem in Norwegian music history but has received renewed attention in recent years. Now, his complete chamber music works are finally available, recorded by some of Norway’s finest musicians: Jonas Båtstrand, Jørn Fossheim, Lars Lunde, Kjell Åge Stoveland, and Ariel De Wolf.

Sigurd Lie (1871–1904) was a Norwegian composer and violinist, born into a musical family in Drammen. His family soon moved to Kristiansand, where he was brought up.. His father, Frederik Gill Lie, was an active figure in the city’s music scene, leading choirs and a vocal quartet. Sigurd showed early musical talent, receiving lessons in violin and piano. After completing secondary school at Katedralskolen in Kristiania, he began university studies but simultaneously studied music at Lindeman’s Music School. Ultimately, he decided to fully pursue music and went to Leipzig for further studies.
In Leipzig, Sigurd studied composition under Carl Reinecke and counterpoint with Wilhelm Rust. During his studies, he composed several works, including a string quartet and a piano quintet. After his studies, he worked as a violinist in Norway and continued composing. His most well-known piece from this period is his Piano Quintet, which was well-received by critics and audiences alike.
In addition to composing, Sigurd worked as a violinist and conductor. However, his health was a persistent issue, as he suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis, which frequently affected his ability to work. Despite this, he composed several significant pieces, including a symphony and numerous songs. Sigurd Lie died young, at just 33, but his music and contributions to Norwegian music history endure.
Jørn Fossheim shares:
It is gratifying that Sigurd Lie’s music appears to be gaining new life in the modern day. The symphony, several of his other orchestral works and a complete collection of his songs are already available on CD. This recording of his collected chamber music is now joining the others, and it is hoped that it will serve as an inspiration for musicians and arrangers to include Sigurd Lie’s works in future concert programmes.

Jonas Båtstrand was educated at the Norwegian Academy of Music, and at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. He also studied with Zakhar Bron, Camilla Wicks and Miguel Negri and played for masters like Ruggiero Ricci and Yehudi Menuhin. He has received several awards, among them the prize of honour at the Sparre Olsen Competition. Båtstrand is especially interested in Norwegian music from the «Golden Age», and has made several CDs of Norwegian repertoire not previuosly recorded.
Lars Lunde studied at The Eastern Conservatory of Music (Oslo), Rogaland Conservatory of Music and at the conservatory in Bologna, Italy. Between 2003 and 2006 he held the position as regional musician in Harstad, Northern Norway, and since 2006 he is a regular member of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra.
Kjell Åge Stoveland studied at the Conservatory in Kristiansand and at the Norwegian Academy of Music. He has broad experience from both orchestras and chamber groups, and participated in numerous recordings and TV productions. Stoveland currently holds the position as principal violist of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra.
Ariel de Wolf was born in San Francisco, USA. She studied at the Juilliard School of Music, New York, where Harvey Shapiro and Felix Galamir were her main professors. She recieved her Masters of Music degree here in 2001. Since 2010 Ariel de Wolf holds the posistion as principal cellist of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra.
Jørn Fossheim studied the piano in Oslo, and orchestra conducting in St. Petersburg. Today, he divides his time between playing and conducting. He made his debut as pianist in Oslo in 2005, and from 2012 he held the position as 1. kapellmeister at the State Opera of Karelia, then as chief conductor at the State Opera of Buryatia. Fossheim has a strong interest in the musical heritage of Norway, and for many years he has been working as an editor, preparing critical editions of Norwegian music. He has also made several CDs, both as soloist, chamber musician and conductor.
Keywords
Contacts
Jade Marie Hasselgård
Tel:+47 952 21 196jade@grappa.noImages
Links
About us
Grappa Musikkforlag was established in 1983, and is the oldest and largest independent record company in Norway. Home of many prestigious labels including Hubro, Simax Classics, Odin, Blue Mood, Heilo, Barneselskapet and Grappa label. Close collaborations with other strong indies, including Rune Grammofon and Drabant. A wide variety of genres includes jazz, folk, classical, contemporary, pop, rock, blues, singer/songwriter – all from Norwegian artists of the highest quality.

Alternative languages
Subscribe to releases from Sounds Like Gold
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Sounds Like Gold by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Sounds Like Gold
Frode Alnæs synger om "Ferie", andre singel i varmende Ry Cooder-landskap er ute i dag!20.6.2025 09:45:00 CEST | Pressemelding
Låta "Ferie" er en låt for sommeren, andre singel fra kommende album «Cooderland». Sammen med et stjernelag av norske musikere, som Adam Douglas, Monica Rennan Hjelle og Rikke Normann på kor, er det umulig å ikke synge med!
Andreas Rotevatn med liveplate - Weather Report møter Odd Nordstoga20.6.2025 09:25:00 CEST | Pressemelding
Fest eller flinkis, klubb eller kyrkje, håvamål eller autotune, alternativ pop eller tilgjengeleg jazz? Trombonist, komponist og artist Andreas Rotevatn gjev deg alt saman, og alt midt i mellom - no live fra Vestlandet!
Benedicte Maurseth slipper «Sommarbeite», den første singelen fra sitt nye album i dag20.6.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Pressemelding
Etter det kritikerroste gjennombruddsverket Hárr (2022) er den prisvinnende hardingfelespilleren, komponisten og forfatteren Benedicte Maurseth tilbake med ny musikk. Nå slipper hun første singel, «Sommarbeite», fra albumet Mirra, som lanseres høsten 2025.
Benedicte Maurseth releases first single from her upcoming album – “Sommarbeite” out now20.6.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Press release
Following her critically acclaimed breakthrough work Hárr (2022), award-winning Hardanger fiddle player, composer, and author Benedicte Maurseth returns with new music. Today she releases the first single, “Sommarbeite” (Summer Pasture), from the upcoming album Mirra, set for release in autumn 2025.
I grenselandet mellom drøm og virkelighet – første singel fra Liv Andrea Hauge Trios nye album - "Natt Natt Natt" ute nå.20.6.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Pressemelding
5. september slipper Liv Andrea Hauge Trio sitt tredje album Døgnville, et utforskende og stemningsrikt verk som beveger seg i grenselandet mellom drøm og virkelighet. I dag kommer første singel fra plata -Natt natt natt – en låt for sene sommerkvelder som gir lytteren en første smak av trioens nye musikalske landskap.
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom