The Norwegian star cellist Truls Mørk is known as a tireless champion of the very best contemporary music. On this release, his debut CD on Ondine, he portrays the Icelandic composer Hafliði Hallgrímsson (himself a professional cellist) with his two works for cello and orchestra, including Herma (1994; the name derives from a bust of Hermes used in ancient Greece as a good luck charm). Truls Mørk is joined by the forces of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, one of the finest ensembles of its kind, under the direction of John Storgårds.

This album includes the first commercial recording of the Cello Concerto, which Hallgrímsson dedicated to Mørk in 2003. Ever since, Truls Mørk has championed the work in a number of performances across Europe to great acclaim; while The Times called it, "a remarkable new addition to the cello repertoire... one of his [Hallgrímsson’s] finest work to date..." (Hilary Finch - The Times 28 January 2004), Scotland’s Herald spoke of, "a work of haunting beauty" (Michael Tumelty  The Herald - 26 January 2004).

This recording was supported by the Scottish Arts Council.