Thoresen on 2L

HIMMELKVAD

Nordic Voices
Berit Opheim Versto - folk singer

Lyndberg Lyn 2L-075-SABD

This report arises from learning a little belatedly that my favourite Norwegian contemporary composer Lasse Thoresen had won the Nordic Music Prize for his op. 42 vocal sextets written for Nordic Voices.

I have received an advance copy of its recording (lavishly produced in a boxed set of both DVD & bluray versions) together with a selection of releases by 2L which represent ultimate developments in recording technology and presentation (take this report in conjunction with my Musical Pointers Recording of the Year 2011 - Virtual Haydn).

Thoresen's Vocal Sextet Op. 42 collection is released this month on 2L-075-SABD and full details are given at http://www.2l.no/pages/album/075.html.

There is a great deal of wonderful music to absorb, some of it strange (track 1 features "overtone singing").

Thoresen wonders whether writing music "that only a few singers in the world can perform" is "an effective career move", but he hopes the future may be on his side... He should be reassured; the problem is only one of international distribution.

Our UK BBC Singers are up for anything, however complex, and several of the music academies are teaching cutting edge contemporary techniques, whether for instrumentalists or for singing students (q.v. Trinity College in London, whose Head of Vocal Studies is Linda Hirst...). A lot must depend on Norway/UK contacts...

Thoresen (whilst waiting for a plane at Riga airport !) writes a full chronological account of the DVD's genesis but regrettably has it printed in small type on blue paper, making the text all but disappear for elderly deteriorating eyes.

With a powerful magnifying glass, I have finally deciphered it all, and even managed to sort out the Vocal Sextet's track titles (dark blue print) alternating with those of the Solos comprising Helligkvad Op 19 - (light blue print on blue paper, would you believe?)
[That blight by trendy graphic designers has been discussed in our article CD Insert Booklets.]

That apart, the production is sumptuous and the whole thing is a joy to handle; it even reflects the 2L logo onto my ceiling!!

I would strongly recommend all our readers to access and study http://www.2l.no/

and also acquire 2L's 2-discs sampler [The Nordic sound Lyndberg Lyn 2l-RR1-SABD]; the presentation is fine, with easily legible white print on a strong blue background !

Peter Grahame Woolf

Note: please treat the links as intrinsic parts of this report and of others in Musical Pointers.

Also received "Kind" - see review in Musicweb

NB 2L's double discs are sold as two-for-the-price-of-one.

Several earlier releases from 2L have been received; the most recommendable for our readers will be a solo and duo violin disc by Stig Nilsson & his son Anders, Solo+ [2L47SACD], with a cover picture of the Aurora Borealis; of particular interest because of our championship of the Swedish Duo Gelland, which has inspired and commissioned a huge violin duo repertoire. PGW