Sigurd Lie's complete chamber music released on Simax today

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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.