Aksel Rykkvin - Aksel! - Arias by Bach, Handel & Mozart (2016) {Signum Records Official Digital Download}

At just 13 years old, Norwegian boy soprano Aksel Rykkvin releases his debut recording of challenging soprano arias by Bach, Handel and Mozart with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and conductor Nigel Short. A classically trained singer since the age of eight, Aksel has so far enjoyed a short but stratospheric career, lauded by critics and audiences alike for his astonishing talent, combining skilful virtuosity and a rare innate musicality with a beautifully resonant voice, unusually rich and mature. Aksel is a fluent English speaker and already a household name in Norway, performing regularly with the Norwegian National Opera, including in the title role of Kurt Weill’s opera Der Jasager and ‘the Boy’ in the world premiere of Rolf Wallin’s Elysium. He has also performed as a soloist with many of Norway’s most prominent instrumentalists, ensembles, accompanists and conductors.

Notable solo appointments include a sold-out concert with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2015. The previous year saw Aksel win his category at the Norwegian Music Competition for Youth, achieving the maximum possible score from a distinguished jury.

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Aksel Rykkvin - Aksel! - Arias by Bach, Handel & Mozart (2016) {Signum Records Official Digital Download}

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Conductor Nigel Short said:
“Aksel has a voice which we don’t come across very often and his exceptional musicality is evident. He’s been easily able to tackle some complex arias, rarely taken on by someone of his age, and I’m delighted that we’ve had the support of the fantastic Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and team at Signum Records. Aksel’s professionalism throughout the tiring recording process has been first rate, and I know this is a very special first step in what should be a long and fruitful musical career”.

Aksel said:
“I’m so thrilled to release my debut album on Signum Records with such a vibrant Orchestra and conductor. Making a recording is a scary prospect for someone my age, but it was a fantastic experience and I’m looking forward to bringing a selection of my favourite arias to the public”.

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Personnel:
Aksel Rykkvin, treble
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightment
Nigel Short, conductor



tracklist:
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)

1. Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! [4'14]
(No 1, Aria from Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!, BWV51)

2. Mein gläubiges Herze, frohlocke, sing, scherze [3'44]
(Movement 2 of Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, BWV68)

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)

3. Happy, Oh, thrice happy we (Achsah) [3'00]
(Act 3 No.2, Air from Joshua)

4. Chi m'insegna il caro padre? [3'11]
5. Barbara! io ben lo so [3'01]
(Arias from Alcina, HWV34)

6. Lascia ch'io pianga [4'14]
(Aria from Rinaldo, HWV7a)

Johann Sebastian BACH

7. Ich folge dir gleichfalls [3'25]
(Part 1 No 9, Aria from St John Passion, BWV245)

George Frideric HANDEL

8. Eternal source of light divine [3'17]
(Movement 1 of Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne)

Johann Sebastian BACH

9. Bist du bei mir, BWV508 [2'18]

George Frideric HANDEL
Messiah HWV56

10. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach [2'13]
(Part 2 No.17, Aria: soprano)
11. Thou art gone up on high [2'57]
(Part 2 No.15, Aria: alto/bass)

12. Let the bright seraphim [5'11]
(Movement from Samson)

Johann Sebastian BACH

13. Quia respexit [2'44]
(Movement 4, Aria from Magnificat, BWV243a)

14. Angenehmer Zephyrus [4'12]
(Aria from Zerreißet, zersprenget, zertrümmert die Gruft, BWV205)

George Frideric HANDEL

15. Oh! had I Jubal's lyre (Achsah) [2'44]
(Act 3 No.11, Air from Joshua)

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)

16. Voi, che sapete che cosa e amor [2'46]
17. Non so più cosa son, cosa faccio [2'40]
(Arias from Le nozze di Figaro, K492)

18. Alleluia [2'27]
(Movement 4 of Exsultate, iubilate, K165)