Härlanda Kammarkör, David Molin & Karl Peter Eriksson - A Bright Star Shineth (2018) [Official Digital Download]

Footprint is delighted to release the debut recording from Härlanda Chamber Choir in the ensemble’s tenth anniversary year. A bright star shineth is an atmospheric celebration of Christmas music from throughout Europe, from the Sixteenth Century to the present day.

Härlanda Chamber Choir was founded in 2007 by its conductor David Molin. The ensemble has since picked up first prize at countless choral competitions and charmed audience and congregations with its warm, inviting sound. A bright star shineth is described by Molin as ‘a labour of love and laughter.’

The recording charts a Christmas journey from France to Iceland, via England, Wales, Ireland and of course Sweden. Traditional songs in alluring arrangements by Åke Hillerud and John Rutter and more are heard alongside original compositions by the likes of Francis Poulenc, Thomas Tallis and Morten Lauridsen.

The choir pays homage to its own roots with a traditional song from the Halland Province, Guds son är född (arranged by Otto Olsson). Two premiere recordings from Scandinavian composers complete the picture: Ola Gjeilo’s striking Det hev ei rose sprunge and Anna Cederberg-Orreteg’s emotive interpretation of Sibelius’s Julvisa.

With fulsome, warm singing and careful direction from Molin, A bright star shineth combines head and heart this festive season, ‘our birthday gift to ourselves and a Christmas present to the world’, in the choir’s own words.

Tracklist:
1. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – Nu tändas tusen juleljus (Arr. D. Molin & J.Å. Hillerud) (03:01)
2. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – Veni, veni, Emmanuel (Arr. J.Å. Hillerud) (03:11)
3. Karl Peter Eriksson, Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – Ave Maria (05:34)
4. Karl Peter Eriksson, Härlanda Kammarkör, David Molin, Paula Gustafsson Apola & Svetla Tsvetkova – 5 Julsånger, Op. 1: No. 4, Julvisa (Arr. A. Cederberg-Orreteg) (04:00)
5. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – There Is No. Rose (04:09)
6. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – Gammal julvisa "Guds son är född" (Arr. O. Olsson) (04:54)
7. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – 4 Motets pour le temps de Noël, FP 152: No. 1, O magnum mysterium (03:19)
8. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – Det är en ros utsprungen (02:56)
9. Härlanda Kammarkör, David Molin, Rasmus Osbeck & Lúcia Viana da Silva – Gaudete (Arr. K. Jenkins) (01:48)
10. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – O magnum mysterium (05:58)
11. Karl Peter Eriksson, Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – Weihnachtslieder, Op. 8: No. 3, Die Könige (Sung in Swedish) (02:53)
12. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – Heyr, himna smiður (03:38)
13. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – In dulci jubilo (Arr. R.L. Pearsall) (03:50)
14. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – O nata lux (02:01)
15. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – Wexford Carol (Arr. J. Rutter) (04:19)
16. Karl Peter Eriksson, Härlanda Kammarkör, David Molin, Paula Gustafsson Apola & Svetla Tsvetkova – Cantique de Noël (O helga natt) [Arr. A. Kock] (04:14)
17. Härlanda Kammarkör & David Molin – Stille Nacht, H. 145 (Arr. D. Wikander) [Sung in Swedish] (03:46)