Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen releases four solo piano tracks inspired by his Nordic homeland on Decca Classics, with sheet music available from Boosey & Hawkes. Internationally renowned for his choral music and large scale works for chorus and orchestra, Arnesen presents his solo piano music here for the first time.

Arnesen was inspired to connect with others around the world, also experiencing a form of ‘grounding’ due to the pandemic. He explains, “This music was written at home, inspired by what I saw through my window. The piano has always been my instrument, but I’ve been busy with larger projects for so many years that this was the first time everything was stripped down to the very intimate setting of a composer and his piano. One night I looked through the window. It was dark and quiet, and I started to play something peaceful in an attempt to comfort the world with music.”

“Christmas is a wonderful time but also a difficult time for many people. It is a time of year that has always inspired me as a composer. Here in the cold north, we experience darkness most of the day, but with glittering snow that brings its own light. I’m thrilled that my first piano singles with Decca are written for this time of year. They are musical pictures of the winter scene outside my window, as well as music with a wish of a peaceful time for people around the world.”

The first track, ‘Light a Candle’, is released on 11 Dec, followed by ‘December Night’ (18 Dec), ‘Snow Light’ (8 Jan) and ‘Winter Moon’ (22 Jan).