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This two-disc set is a superb collection of choral works by 20th and 21st century Scandinavian composers. Highly recommended!
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| This two-disc set is a superb collection of choral works by 20th and 21st century Scandinavian composers, reaching back to Sibelius and other notables born in the 1800s--Toivo Kuula (1883-1918), Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871-1927), David Wikander (1884-1955), and Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960)--and continuing with composers either still living--Einojuhani Rautavaara (b. 1928), Kurt Nystedt (b. 1915), and Jan Sandström (b. 1954)--or recently deceased--Jørgen Jersild (1913-2004) and Lars Johan Werle (1926-2001). This chronologically wide-ranging program makes for a fascinating variety of material and of choral writing, from the most tonal and hymnlike creations of Sibelius and Kuula to the knottier works of Nystedt, Sandström, and Werle. Along the way we hear a solidly, authoritatively rendered version of Sibelius' SATB setting of his challenging Rakastava, followed by Kuula's rich-textured, harmonically luscious, quintessentially Finnish choruses, most notable being the beautiful Auringon noustessa (Sunrise) and Nuku (Sleep).
Rautavaara's choral works are always engaging, usually on many levels, and the three presented here are no exception, especially the extended piece Die erste Elegie, a 1993 setting of a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke based on a specially devised 12-tone technique. Jan Sandström's two entries show some of the close harmony/cluster effects some singers and listeners will recognize from his popular Lo, how a rose e'er blooming arrangement, and if you can remain unmoved after hearing Alfvén's Aftonen (Evening), the you probably need your affective-response circuitry reprogrammed.
The Accentus chamber choir is one of the world's finest ensembles, and these 30-plus singers respond with uninhibited verve and virtuosity under the guest direction of choral conducting legend Eric Ericson. There's not a glitch or stumble anywhere--each work, every performance is given with special care and attention to the requirements of style and interpretation. My only complaint concerns the sound. Two different venues were used, resulting in warmly resonant, ideally balanced sonics in one, and a slightly harsh-edged quality in the other, mostly in louder dynamics in tutti passages. The differences are noticeable, which is why I mention it, but the effect is not enough to affect your overall enjoyment. This is a terrific release deserving the attention of every choral music lover, for the repertoire as much as for the performances. Highly recommended! --David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com |
ArkivMusic Price: $16.99
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