Haflidi Hallgrímsson Passía

Mary Nessinger, mezzo-soprano; Gardar Thór Cortes, tenor
Motet Choir & Chamber Orchestra of Hallgrímskirkja
Hördur Áskelsson, conductor

Ondine ODE 1027-2 [61mins]

Several contemporary settings of key liturgical texts by Scandinavian composers have impressed me in recent years. Now, from Haflidi Hallgrímsson (b.1941), an Icelandic composer, who settled in Scotland 1977, Passía, Op. 28 is an imposing setting of the Passion from various Icelandic sources, premiered in 2001 at the imposing Hallgrimskirkla in Reykjavik.

A big score, requiring large forces; very much a concert work, it is resplendent in this recording which has attracted plaudits widely. Hallgrímsson writes well for voices and instruments (including a substantial part for the splendid organ).

Two other works from Norway and Sweden which deserve notice are:

Apostlagärning, oratorio for four soloists, mixed chorus, children´s chorus, 7 instruments by Carl Unander-Scharin of Stockholm.

and the St John Passion of Kjell Mørk Karlsen (b. 1947) from Norway,scored for three soloists two oboes, two cellos and organ.

Both these contributions to the choral genre are eminently suitable for performance in church and make modest instrumental forces sound far larger than is apparent from the listing. They are feasible without inordinate expenditure, and they would prove fresh alternatives to the standard oratorios and passion settings. The Karlsen is fully reviewed on MusicWeb CD Simax PSC 1209, and a recording of Carl Unander-Scharin's oratorio is available, with English translation. For more information consult http://www.electronic-opera.com/ or contact the composer at mailto:carl.unander-scharin@telia.com.