Norway has produced a number of significant musical figures, but Ståle Kleiberg is unique in combining warmth, intelligence, emotional depth, and a cinematic scope. Having been born in 1958, the highly regarded composer from Trondheim has for many years created music centred on memory, identity, history, and the delicate aspects of human life. In his capacity as Professor Emeritus of Music at NTNU and as a long-standing creative figure associated with the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Kleiberg has won a well-earned position as one of the distinctive storytellers in contemporary classical music. His music has always been a favourite with those who appreciate music that conveys more than just the notes, and this new EP clearly explains why.
‘Across the Ocean towards a Higher Firmament’ is a remarkable orchestral piece, interpreted by the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra with Peter Szilvay as conductor. This version allows Kleiberg’s music to unfold fully, the strings taking on the emotional emphasis, whereas the brass, woodwinds, percussion and the various orchestral colours create a vast soundscape which can at the same time seem close and grand. The performance is careful without turning cold, and Szilvay displays clarity, patience and strong dramatic control in all the movements.
Grief is the theme that opens the EP. Since it is written in memory of Cissi Klein, “Lamento, Cissi Klein in memoriam” has a solemn and deeply human character instead of being theatrical. Rather than overpowering the piece, Kleiberg lets the orchestral textures speak softly and establishes an atmosphere of remembrance, sorrow, and quiet reflection. The way the music is delivered is restrained, which in turn enhances its emotional effect.
“The Town and its Inhabitants” shifts from a focus on individual memory to one on the community, mentioning streets, faces, routines, and the invisible relationships which give a place its character. Kleiberg’s arrangement has a thoughtful and highly detailed quality, showing a mixture of tenderness and more extensive dramatic expressions. The orchestra imparts a sense of movement and vitality to the piece, as if the whole town is being remembered through sound.
The opening movement of the symphony Across the Ocean towards a Higher Firmament, “Symphony No. 3, I. Espressivo e rubato. Andante,” begins with a sense of longing; drawing on the theme of Norwegian migration to North America, it reflects the emotional tension associated with leaving home—on the one hand, hope and on the other, uncertainty. The flexible tempo and expressive phrasing give the music a personal touch, as if the journey is being experienced rather than merely described.
In the second movement, “Symphony No. 3 – Movement II: Tranquillo, Drammatico, Misterioso,” there is a movement towards the inside. The tranquil, dramatic, and mysterious character of the movement mirrors the complex emotional aspects of migration—such as wonder, loneliness, memory, and the difficulty of working out where home really is. Kleiberg deals with these contrasts with a high degree of skill by enabling the orchestra to move smoothly from stillness to tension.
The final movement, “Across the Ocean towards a Higher Firmament – Symphony No. 3: III. Maestoso. Quasi corale,” takes the EP towards its emotional climax. With its majestic and nearly choral quality, it suggests a sense of reconciliation and belonging, even while acknowledging the uncertainty that had preceded it. The orchestral composition becomes wider and more resonant, providing the symphony with a feeling of arrival without simplifying its themes into a straightforward ending.
What is so beautiful about Kleiberg is his skill in making complex orchestral music sound straightforward; there is no attempt here to over-embellish the emotional content. The narrative is told through the use of melody, harmony, the tempo, and the orchestral colour. Szilvay and the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra give a performance which is powerful, sensitive, and well balanced.
Contemporary classical music represented here has a human touch and recalls the past, takes note of the present, and looks towards the concept of belonging with both hope and humility. It serves as an exceptional introduction for those who are hearing Ståle Kleiberg for the first time and acts as yet another beautiful reminder for long-time fans of why his voice is important.
Listen to the “Across the Ocean towards a Higher Firmament” album on Spotify
Follow Ståle Kleiberg here for more information
