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Nordic Voices Djanki-Dong Thoresen: Diphonie I Tone E. Braaten, Ingrid Hanken, Ebba Rydh, Per Kristian Amundrød, Frank Havrøy, Trond Reinholdtsen Aurora - ACD5055 Nordic Voices is six professional singers who have taken to the limit the study of near-impossible contemporary writing for voices, carrying with them audiences that they have found to be a lot less conservative than many might believe. One critic wrote: “ - - this was glorious music that could make a believer out of an atheist”. The selection here encompasses micro-intervals which required long training to master, and tongue-twisting rhythmic constructions. And besides micro-tonality they incorporate in their work overtone singing and kveding (traditional Norwegian folk song). The selected programme of music by Norwegian composers makes for heady listening. It is well devised for contrast and to make a satisfying sequence. The group evinces enjoyment in confronting extreme challenges and for the listener it is all invigorating. The artwork is dominated by images of raindrops on window panes, presumably symbolising the long winter nights during which they had been mastering their special singing? One anomaly is that Frank Havroy's explanatory notes are differently ordered Definitely a CD of the month for Musical Pointers. Peter Grahame Woolf The score of Lasse Thoresen's Diphonie I Op.39, 2002 [illustrated] has been received. Following the performance with its score enhances hugely one's admiration for the composer's imagination and the dedication of the singers who mastered its complexities. Nordic Voices Sense and nonSense This brilliant vocal sextet's first CD has been received subsequently and it is an ideal introduction to the group's work, balancing old and new in a cunningly contrived programme which should frighten no-one, old or young; including Edward Lear limericks (Petrassi). Watch them singing Ligeti's Cuckoo in the Pear Tree. Shortish measure at under 50 mins, but you'll play it again and again - and to your friends... See review from Ottawa, Feb. 2008: - - The group's Sense & nonSense (JDR, 2002) demonstrated just how well material ranging from Claudio Monteverdi and Francois Poulenc to Giovanni Gabrieli and Henrik Hellstenius could coexist on a program that wound its way back-and-forth across four centuries. and from Amazon: - - works by Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Stenhammar, Poulenc, Petrassi, Ligeti and Hellstenius highlight the vast performance register of the ensemble. The voices combine in a seemingly effortless way with amazing balance and precision - - they weave such disparate works into a cohesive whole and somehow make it all make "Sense." PGW
Nordic Voices: Reges terrae (Music from the Time of Charles V)
De Manchicourt: Reges terrae; Laudate Dominum; O Virgo virginum; Agnus Dei De Morales: Regina Caeli; Exaltata est sancta Dei Genitrix Clemens: O magnum mysterium Guerrero: Hei mihi, Domine Gombert: Ego sum qui sum
Chandos – CHSA 5050 [2003/2005; 49 mins]
Of these five composers only one, Nicolas Gombert, is known to have been employed in the court chapel of Charles V, but together they represent the cream of sixteenth century music of this genre, and it is probable that many of the works would have been known to the Emperor.
The motets included in this CD are exceptionally opulent settings and range widely through the liturgical canon, with a piece drawn from the Matins for the Dead sandwiched between celebratory music for Christmas and Easter.
Nordic Voices are masterly exponents of this sort of thing. Their performances live up to the music: sumptuous unaccompanied singing of the highest accuracy. The majority of the latin words seem to have been conveniently air-brushed aside to produce a continuous stream of glorious sound perfectly contained by the acoustic of the Ringsaker Church. The exceptions are a number of joyful alleluias, and the repeated “Noe” at the end of Clemens’ O magnum mysterium which rings out like a spontaneous peal of bells – the best moment on this CD in my opinion.
Short measure again, but this recording should provide many hours of relaxed listening and no doubt many fans of Nordic Voices will wish to acquire it.
Serena Fenwick
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I hope that the image of the piece's ending might help to whet interest and maybe inspire tutors in our more enterprising conservatoires who specialise in contemporary vocal music
