Briefe zur Nacht : Storm

In Nordic art and music, “Nordic light” is a common motif. But there is also “Nordic darkness”. Staffan Storm’s symphonically-hatched piano work ”Briefe zur Nacht” begins in this darkness, with orchestral and menacing resonances. The German title makes us associate “Briefe zur Nacht” with German romanticism. Words like “letter” and “night” convey the intimate and confiding tone of this piano poem, and of the nocturnal darkness that harbours unease, secret thoughts and dreams. (Pianist Hans Pålsson)