Grappa is rereleasing the synth rock productions Ophelia`s Arrival / Minotauros on CD. I've listened to it.

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In 1987, Ketil Bjørnstad released a triple album entitled " Three Ballets » on Cicada Records. It consisted of three works - Ophelia's arraival, Minotauros and Pianology . In 2012 these works were remastered by legendary Jan Erik Kongshaug Rainbow Studio.

The latest of these three works - Pianology was rereleased a short time ago by Hubru label, titled Early Piano Music . It consists, as the title suggests the pure piano pieces, total 27 Here it is clear musical links both back in time to the records Åning and Berget det blå. But the pieces that point forward, particularly Prelude 11, which shows up later to the present day in many different incarnations.

The first two works on this disc are released now also on this CD from Grappa. They differ markedly from " Early Piano Music "both in instrumentation and musical expression.

Ophelia `s Arrival was originally commissioned by Bentein Baardson, for his opening performance of Hamlet. It was further developed into a ballet that was never performed. This was during a period when the concept of rock opera had had a heyday, and where otherwise the synths ruled. 1986-87 was still in dominance by the DX7, just before Roland D50 entered the arena followed by the Korg M1. And both on Orphelia`s Arrival and Minotauros powerful synths rule. The latter was a ballet that in the live version was performed in collaboration with Lava.

The two works on this CD have quite similar main expression, while an expression that is very different from most of the other works Ketil Bjørnstad has created. One could for a moment be a little surprised that Ketil Bjørnstad moved in this musical landscape, but it is unfounded. Ketil Bjørnstad has always been searching for new expressions, and it was particularly true during this period in the 80s. I mentioned this very briefly in the bit-depth review of Ketil Bjørnstad, in connection with the review of ECM release Sunrise in November. The Synth-Rock was something that intrigued many at the time, and Ketil Bjørnstad obviously had a very important contribution. And with the tilting music got towards ballet and otherwise slight connections to classical music also fits with the role he had as a contributor to music between cubicles. It is also like that there are parts of these works one has to really strain to recognize Ketil Bjørnstad's spirit, while the other parts are obvious musical reasoning that only Ketil Bjørnstad can formulate.

Although there are great similarities in the musical expression in these two works, there are also obvious differences. In Orphelia`s Arrival it is easier to find a weak link to classical music. I also get a bit strained association to a work by Miles Davis and Marcus Miller from about the same year - music from the film Siesta . There is of course much that is very different, but there is still something about the musical atmosphere that gives a connection, especially to the second half of Siesta.

In Minotauros there is a bit more generally slightly heavier rock which is a main ingredient, at least in the first part. I am by the way very curious about if the short rhythmic intermezzo we find on Labyrintos is directly inspired by the equivalent of Yes's " Owner of a Lonely Heart ", released 3-4 years earlier? Small touch of synth themes from Emerson Lake and Palmer is also possible to imagine that one can recognize as an inspiration.

It's not possible to deny that the music on this re-release gets a retro feeling This is in many ways an musical expression that clearly abandoned today. But still, the music has such high quality that it is well worth taking this musical retrospective. There is also a very necessary musical trip to take in order to get an accurate overall picture of Ketil Bjørnstad's production.

The sound is good, but without being fully in class with all the best coming from Kongshaug and Rainbow Studio. I'm still not for a moment in doubtthat Kongshaug has got anything possible out of these old recordings.

The record is of course a must for anyone who follows Ketil Bjørnstad. Also, it is of a caliber that the music grows every time you listen to the record.

Read more from Grappa.

Also read our review of "Sunrise" with music from Ketil Bjørnstad.