The Norwegian Soloists' Choir & Grete Pedersen - Veni: Songs of Christmas, Vol. 2 (2022) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

December is a time of anticipation. We wait and we hope – veni, come! The songs on this album encompass many nuances and moods – from joy and jubilant celebration to deep melancholy and longing. They move between folk tunes, English carols and traditional Christmas songs from different times and parts of the world, between Bach and Ives, Bulgaria and Norway. Several of the songs refer to the passing of the year, the cycle of nature and rhythms of daily life: lullabies for peace of mind and comfort, and songs about surrendering ourselves to the unfathomable and unknowable in the midst of our everyday concerns: the stars will always shine in the sky – and dawn will come. In others, we meet the little child born in a stable – vulnerable and yet immensely powerful.

In the nine years following the release of ‘Rós – Songs of Christmas’ [BIS-2029], the Norwegian Soloists’ Choir’s annual Christmas concerts under the leadership of Grete Pedersen have become a cherished tradition in their native country. They are joined on this recording by folk musicians Sondre Meisfjord and Marco Ambrosini and by their long-standing collaborator, the fiddler and composer Gjermund Larsen, who also appeared on the choir’s previous Christmas album.

See, amid the winter’s snow,
Born for us on Earth below…

Tracklist:
1. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Adeste fideles (Arr. D. Willcocks, G. Pedersen & G. Larsen for Choir & Chamber Ensemble) (03:39)
2. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Sæle jolekveld (Arr. Gjermund Larsen Trio for Chamber Ensemble) (03:16)
3. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – 114 Songs: No. 100, A Christmas Carol (02:15)
4. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Kyrklåt (Arr. G. Larsen for Choir & Chamber Ensemble) (03:01)
5. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Me ska bryggja te jul (Arr. A. Utnem for Solo Voice, Choir & Chamber Ensemble) (01:57)
6. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – The Infant King (Arr. D. Willcocks & G. Pedersen for Solo Voice, Choir & Chamber Ensemble) (04:32)
7. Grete Pedersen – Ding Dong, Merrily on High (Arr. S. Carstensen, G. Larsen & S. Meisfjord for Violin, Accordion & Double Bass) (02:10)
8. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Den bortkomne sauen (Arr. G. Eriksson for 2 Solo Voices, Choir & Chamber Ensemble) (03:34)
9. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229: I. Komm, Jesu, komm (06:53)
10. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229: II. Drum schließ ich mich in deine Hände (01:30)
11. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Å her møter mangt (Arr. J. Rørmark & G. Pedersen for Solo Voice, Choir & Chamber Ensemble) (02:38)
12. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – En krybbe var vuggen (Arr. A. Öhrwall & D. Willcocks for Choir & Chamber Ensemble) (03:42)
13. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Se, solens skjønne lys og prakt (Arr. G. Eriksson & T. Kverno for Solo Voice, Choir & Chamber Ensemble) (04:12)
14. Marco Ambrosini – Carillion (01:41)
15. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Sjå i stille vinterkveld (Arr. D. Willcocks for Choir & Chamber Ensemble) (03:56)
16. Ingeborg Dalheim – Julestev (00:55)
17. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Deilig er jorden (Arr. T. Kvam for Choir & Chamber Ensemble) (03:40)
18. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir – Gångmarsj (02:42)


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