Ketil Bjørnstad - The Light (2007)

Ketil Bjørnstad recent project ”The Light“ precisely brings out the essence of Bjørnstad’s respective talents . “The Light” unites two song cycles for mezzo-soprano, viola and piano The “Fire Nordiske Sanger“ (=Four Nordic Songs) represent thirty years of consistent work, ”Sommernatt Ved Fjorden“ even became a radio hit in Norway. In this case Bjørnstad exposes himself as a writer and composer whereas “The Light“ represents an intonation of eleven poems by the English poet and mystic John Donne (1572-1631). The rather heterogeneous content of “the Light” does not demean its quality and effect in the slightest. Bjørnstad and his co-musicians, singer Randi Stene and violist Lars Anders Tomter actually manage to emphazize the essence of pure beauty by reducing heir own means.


Randi Stene - mezzo-sopran
Lars Anders Tomter - viola
Ketil Bjørnstad - piano


Fire Nordiske Sanger (Four Nordic Songs):
Grensen (The Border)
Natten (The Night)
Sommernatt Ved Fjorden (By The Fjord)
Sommersang (Summer Song)

The Light:
A Valediction: Of Weeping
The Dream
The Prohibition
Lamentoso
The Flea
A Noctural Upon St. Lucy's Day, Being The Shortest Day
The Sun Rising
Air And Angels
Love's Alchemy
Break Of Day
A Hymn To God The Father

Recorded February and March 2007
ECM 2056