Scandinavian Christmas

Editorial Reviews
TACOMA NEWS TRIBUNE
"Remarkable for its warmth, richness, and full-throated power."

Tracks:

Molly On The Shore
My Robin Is To The Greenwood Gone
Shepherd's Hey!
Harvest Hymn
Arrival Platform Humlet
Handel In The Strand
I. Swedish Air And Dance
II. Song Of Varmeland
III. Norwegian Polska
IV. Danish Melody
V. Air And Finale On Norwegian Dances
The Nightingale And The Two Sisters
The Maiden And The Frog
The Shoemaker From Jerusalem
Mock Morris
The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol
Themes And Variations
Youthful Rapture
Colonial Song

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely, Percy at his best............2006-07-15

For anyone who loves Merchant-Ivory films and recalls the background music for Howard's End (my favorite), Mock Morris has to keep playing over and over in one's head; but for me it's never annoying, only happy.

This ensemble enhances every composition - marvelous!

A delight!.......2000-08-12

This is one of the most delightful recordings of Grainger's works I have heard. If you're looking for Grainger or just enjoyable music, this is for you. It lifts my spirits and inspires me with the great performance as well as the wonderful, lyrical melodies.

More music of Percy Grainger.......1999-09-29

Chandos is certainly to be lauded for their wonderful Grainger project. This volume which features Grainger's chamber music is wonderful. The members of the Academy of St. Martin's in the Fields deliver a wonderful performance.

Tracks:

Samson: Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound
Judas Maccabaeus: See, The Conqu'ring Hero Comes!
Judas Maccabaeus: Sing Unto God
Messiah: For Unto Us a Child Is Born
Samson: Let Their Celestial Concerts All Unite
Saul: Welcome, Welcome Mighty King/David His Ten Thousands Slew
Zadok the Priest: Coronation Anthem No.1
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Xerxes: Largo: Holy Art Thou
Saul: How Excellent Thy Name
Judas Maccabaeus: Hallelujah, Amen
Israel in Egypt: But as for His People
Israel in Egypt: Sing Ye to the Lord

Average customer rating:

The Loveliest Rose
Bukkene Bruse
Manufacturer: Northside Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Bukkene Bruse
Stone Chair
Aliens Alive
Prisme

ASIN: B00006HIAW
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Tracks:

A Child Is Born In Bethlehem
Lullaby For Julie
Spirit Of The Grove
Christmas Eve
My Heart Is With Jesus
St. Sunniva
A Little Child So Pleasant/In This Sweet Christmas Time
Father Fiddled On Christmas Eve
The Loveliest Rose Has Been Found
Christmas Gangar
For Such Generous Gifts

Amazon.com

This must be one of the loveliest Christmas albums ever made, a festive garland of carols performed by four of Norway's finest traditional musicians. Annbjørg Lien is a world-famous exponent of the drone-laced Hardanger fiddle and nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle), and she has also performed with the Chieftains. Arve Moen Bergset's naive tenor is ideal for this material, and he plays a mean fiddle, too. Steinar Ofsdal's pastoral flutes and Bjørn Ole Rasch's pipe organ add further dimensions of unashamed emotion and unpretentious grandeur. The selections include instrumentals as well as vocals, offering opportunities for rest and reflection amid the soaring, four-square hymns. Aside from folkloric material, the set includes a tune cowritten by Keith Emerson (!), original pieces by band members, and even a quote from Maurice Ravel's Le tombeau de Couperin. That the album was recorded studio-live in a church graces it with an uncommonly warm, natural sonic ambience. --Christina Roden

Rautavaara: Sacred Works for Mixed Choirs

Average customer rating:

Ethereal recording from a doomed choir
Legend
A rich and rewarding CD

Rautavaara: Sacred Works for Mixed Choirs

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Scandinavian Languages | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Rautavaara: Works for Mixed Chorus
Rautavaara: Vigilia
Rautavaara: Violin Concerto; Angels and Visitations; Isle of Bliss
Rautavaara: Symphony No. 7 "Angel of Light"
Rautavaara: Cantus Articus; Piano Concerto

ASIN: B000031X7E
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

Credo
Canticum Mariae Virginis
Herran rukous
Psalmi 23
Psalmi 130
Magnificat: I Magnificat
Magnificat: II Quia respexit - misericordia
Magnificat: III Fecit potentiam
Magnificat: IV Suscepit Israel
Magnificat: V Gloria
Nattvarden: Psalm vid nattvarden I (Communion Hymn I)
Nattvarden: Psalm vid nattvarden II (Communion Hymn II)
Nattvarden: Kyrie
Nattvarden: Herdepsalm (Shepherd Psalm)
Ave Maria
Missa Duodecanonica: Kyrie
Missa Duodecanonica: Sanctus per cancrizan
Missa Duodecanonica: Agnus Dei in motu contrario
Rakkaus ei koskaan h
Legenda
Marjatan Jouluvirsi
Joulun Virsi
Avuksihuutopsalmi
Ehtoohymni

Amazon.com

Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara may be the most exciting composer working today. His works are consistently good, rich in the folk traditions of his homeland, and, most important, challenging in concept but easy to appreciate. And that about sums up Sacred Works for Mixed Chorus, a collection of Rautavaara's masses, psalms, and hymns sung to perfection by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir. Spanning 40 years (1953-1995) of his long career, Rautavaara's sacred music is less defined by any one religion than the entire concept--Catholic and Greek Orthodox texts sit side by side--and the composer never succumbs to predictability. Highlights abound: On "Canticum Mariae Virginis" and "Magnificat," bass and soprano voices exchange dialogue over the choir's mystical sonic backdrop; Christmas hymn "Marjatan jouluvirsi" (from the composer's choral opera Marjatta matala neiti) is simple and sweet; and "Credo" is a set of three variations on one motif--based on the composer's belief that "only difficult things are worth doing." In short, there's something here for everyone, and everyone should hear Rautavaara. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Ethereal recording from a doomed choir.......2004-10-15

I discovered Rautavaara's music a few years ago, and remain hopelessly enamoured of his choral music in particular. The works on this disc are no exception. The Magnificat and Canticum Mariae Virgines are especially compelling. And the performances by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir are extremely fine.

Lovers of contemporary Finnish music might want to know that on 14 October 2004, the Finnish Broadcasting Company announced they will abolish the Radio Chamber Choir after the 2004-2005 season. The Chamber Choir was founded in 1961 and has premiered nearly 100 works.

Legend.......2000-02-22

On WOSU-FM this morning I heard "Legend" (until it was over I had no idea what I was listening to) and was enthalled enough to order the CD. I knew the music was contemporary yet it gave the impression of something ancient and austere. Richly colored choral blend yet not dark or heavy. Wandering and open yet not formless--at times almost sounded like a fugue. Not programmatic music, not a tone poem, yet visually suggestive of a winter landscape of ice and water reflecting unusual colors never seen before.

A rich and rewarding CD.......2000-01-30

I first discovered the works of this remarkable Finnish composer through his orchestral release "On the Last Frontier" last year. In this, the first disc to showcase his small-scale choral writing, I have discovered an instant classic. As explained in the booklet notes (written by the composer) these short pieces cover a forty-year time period, during which Rautavaara has explored his personal faith (he is Finnish Orthodox) through sacred writing for unaccompanied choir. The result is a striking and impressive programme with a wide range of expression and depth. As a composer, Rautavaara's greatest strength seems to be the skill with which he writes for any instrument, and in writing for choir he produces an amazing sound-world. At some moments, I did feel that I was hearing the influence of more familiar "New Mystic" composers (in particular Gorecki)- an example being the breathtaking opening to the second track, an extended piece in praise of the Mother of God. Nonetheless, at the core, Rautavaara is a truly individual twentieth century composer, and other works such as the first track- "Credo"- and the multi-faceted "Magnificat" halfway through reflect his distinctive voice.

I think this is a very addictive programme- not too long, but brimming with variety and placing the simple next to the complex. With regard to performance, the Finnish Radio Choir is immaculate- they give apt voice to each work and will have you hanging on every single note. To cap it all, the sound quality is without blemish.

Tracks:

Solsang I
Flojhestesang
Szlangeszang
Girafsang
Nu Ska Vi U A Sejle
Mallemuksang
Faresang
Ingolfiade
Caramba!
Wiggo Hwal
Sosygesang
Sulesang
Sofasang
Solsang II

Scandinavian Yuletide Voices-Christmas Music

Average customer rating:

Scandinavian Yuletide Voices-Christmas Music

Manufacturer: Change
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAH2TA
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Monteverdi: Christmas Vespers / Nandfred

Average customer rating:

Monteverdi: Christmas Vespers / Nandfred

Manufacturer: Scandinavian
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000REWTQM

Product Description

Scandinavian 220573 (2002)

Youthful Rapture: Chamber Music of Percy Grainger

Average customer rating:

Youthful Rapture: Chamber Music of Percy Grainger

Manufacturer: Northeastern
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B000001YLE
Release Date: 1994-05-26

Average customer rating:

An enjoyable choral CD
Well trained children's choir - nice mix of music

Sounds of Finland

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Scandinavian Languages | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000167F
Release Date: 1995-11-21

Tracks:

Finlandia Hymn/Song Of My Heart
Summer Twilight/Sleep, My Child, Sleep
Prayer
To Us A Festival Is Given
Evening
Evening Song
Burro Matti (Lappish Jojk)
Song Of Finland/Our Country
The Winter Was Hard
Three Japanese Songs
Maria, The Lord's Little Maiden
A Son Is Born In Bethlehem/Let Me Praise Jesus
Rejoice, Daughter Of Sion
Let Us Chant
In The Hay By The Oxen's Trough
Oh Nightingale, Come!
The Snow Is Falling
I Kneel Down At Your Manger
Marjatta, Lowly Maiden, Finnish Mystery

Customer Reviews:

An enjoyable choral CD.......2005-07-28

This is a lovely recording of mainly Finnish choral music, with a little Swedish, Japanese and Latin thrown in. The recording quality, while not great, is pretty good considering these were recorded in 1977 and 1979. The choir, the Tapiola Children's Choir, conducted by Erkki Pohjola, is really quite wonderful - nice tone, good tuning and very musical performances. I bought this CD for the recording of the traditional Japanese song, Hotaru Koi, arranged by Akira Ogura. It's a good performance of the piece: clean and precise with nice attention to dynamics. Once I listened to the rest of the CD, I found that it is all quite enjoyable. Some of the Finnish music is a little pedantic and nationalistic, but the CD as a whole is a very good recording by a very good children's choir.

Well trained children's choir - nice mix of music.......2000-09-07

Several of the works on this album are composed by Finns, or so I assume by their names: Sibelius, Hannikainen, Putro, Koskinen, Kuula, Panula, Pacius, Sallinen and Rautavaara. There are common European works by Bach, Handel, Praetorius and an interesting group of Japanese Songs. There are a few traditional / anonymous pieces.

By topic there are several patriotic songs - "Finlandia Hymn", "Song of Findland", "Our Country". Several are Christmas season songs - To Us a Festival is Given, "A son Is Born in Bethlehem", "Marjatta, Lowly Maiden", "Maria, the Lord's Little Maiden". Several are on folk themes - the Lappish "Jojk", "Oh Nightingale, Come!" ...

The resulting album is a wonderful mix of unfamilar music that you will soon want to make familar. I personally find Rautavaara a difficult composer - I understand his appeal, I simply don't share it - but I find all the other music very accessible.

The children's choir has very clear tone and enunciation, their voices blend splendidly. Technically this is an excellent album.

Tracks:

Julvisa Fran Alvdalen (Christmas Carol from Alvdalen)
Bergslagsjul (Christmas In The Mining District)
Er Framtid Blive Lyckelig (Good Fortune And Joy)
Staffansiva From Orust
Innan Gryningen (The Silence Of The Dawn)
Torspar-julaftas-vaggvisa (The Crofter's Christmas Eve Lullaby)
God Morgon Har, Kar Fader Var (Good Morning To You, Master Dear)
Det Blir En Julhelg Glad (A Joyful Christmas It Will Be)
Julvisa I Finnmarken (Christmas In The Finnmark)/Isfarden
Staffansvisa From Jamtland
Adventspsalm (Advent Hymn)
Mormors Julstjarna (Grandma's Christmas Star)
Knalle Juls Vals (The Christmas Tree Seller's Waltz)
Julgranspolska (The Christmas Tree Polska)
Tackvisan (Thank You Song)

Amazon.com

The second CD from the Swedish acoustic trio Triakel features Christmas compositions and other winter songs, including a New Year's hymn, an Advent hymn, and an Epiphany song. Comprised of Emma Härdelin (vocals), Janne Strömstedt (harmonium), and Kjell-Erik Eriksson (fiddle), Triakel perform gentle, pastoral numbers that are just the right length and that blend together smoothly. Even the more uptempo tracks, like the two staffansvisas from Orust and Jämtland, are low-key enough to maintain the graceful, gentle vibe of the whole album. If you're seeking something soothing, or are simply tired of traditionally grandiose Xmas fare, Triakel's Wintersongs offers a tranquilizing aural elixir. --Bryan Reesman

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