Next week sees the release of Ketil Bjørnstad’s A Passion For John Donne a metaphysical poetry-inspired homage that follows not long after the Edvard Munch-themed Sunrise.

Bjørnstad has been inspired by John Donne (1572-1631) several times already during his recording career, his interest constantly replenished and deepening as the years go by. A Passion for John Donne was written for an Oslo church music festival and premiered at the Sofienberg Kirke in Oslo in March 2012 the same year Sunrise was recorded, also in Oslo, but on that occasion at Rainbow. The Oslo Chamber Choir feature once again and Håkon Kornstad, in a role reminiscent of the one Jan Garbarek adopts when heard in a with-vocals context, crops up on saxophone and flute, also singing on some tracks. Bjørnstad, above, plays a solo piano concert in Southampton at Turner Sims on 21 November; and also appears at Scene Norway Plus in St George’s, Bristol the following day.