James Viggo Poulsen - Heartland Poem (Robert Thies; Geoffrey Paterson)

Information

Composer: James Viggo Poulsen

1. Piano Concerto: I. Rhapsody
2. Piano Concerto: II. Elegy
3. Piano Concerto: III. Rondo
4. Heartland Poem

Robert Thies, piano

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Geoffrey Paterson, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: MSR Classics

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Heartland Poem by composer James Viggo Poulsen carries the legacy of American orchestral music into the 21st century with performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra featuring conductor Geoffrey Paterson and pianist Robert Thies. The album features Poulsen’s Piano Concerto, a neo-romantic work in a traditional three-movement format that paints with a vast emotional palette, from intimate exploration to an uplifting resolution. The release also includes the title track, Heartland Poem, a programmatic piece blending Americana and minimalism to portray the expansiveness of the region. Evoking pioneer history alongside the uncertainties of modern times, the music ultimately culminates in a resounding musical triumph over adversity.

Born in Iowa in 1958, composer and pianist James Viggo Poulsen holds advanced degrees in piano performance and composes in a neo-romantic style influenced by Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, and Philip Glass. Over his distinguished career, Poulsen has composed extensive piano, vocal, and orchestral works—including three premieres by the Des Moines Symphony—alongside scoring for Disney Event Productions and commercial media, earning four Iowa Film Awards and over 30 Tellys and Addys. A 34-year faculty member at Simpson College, active jazz performer, and recipient of a 2025 Iowa Rock Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, Poulsen remains a versatile figure in American music.

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