Orphei Drangar
Orphei Drängar, known internationally as OD, is a modern male-voice choir, based in the Swedish University City of Uppsala. The choir, which dates back to 1853, has always been a torch bearer of the great Swedish choral tradition, in addition to playing an important international role in the development of the male-voice choir in modern music. The most important tradition of Orphei Drängar is self-renewal. The male-voice choir is an instrument which can express itself in a multitude of different ways. OD has distinguished itself, both in Sweden and abroad, by developing and fine-tuning this instrument. Many people talk of the unique blend of young, lighter voices with older, more mature ones - a blend which produces a sound all of its own. Intonation, phrasing and purity are other words that are often used to describe OD's sound. A cappella songs are still the most important part of the choir's repertoire. But OD has gone one step further, breaking new ground when it comes to how a male-voice choir should look and sound. The forms of expression are numerous. The choir can just as easily sing with a symphony orchestra as accompany a dramatic composition or ballet.
OD's conductor Robert Sund sings, plays, arranges, composes and conducts. His multi-faceted gift has given him a prominent position both on the Swedish and the international music scene. Most importantly, Robert Sund has been a principal driving force behind OD's development, and has contributed greatly to the broadening of the choir's repertoire. In 1993, Robert Sund was named Conductor of the Year by the Föreningen Sveriges Körledare [Association of Swedish Choirmasters]. For 17 years he has been teaching conducting and ensemble leadership at the Musikhögskolan [Academy of Music] in Stockholm. He is in great demand to lead courses for both choral singers and conductors in Scandinavia, Europe, the USA, South America and New Zealand. He has been guest conductor everywhere from the Radio Choir in Vienna to the Coro Nacional in Cuba. He is a guest lecturer and a diligent jury member at choral competitions, and a conductor at choral festivals all over the world. Robert Sund began his time at OD as second bass in 1965. Just three years later he became assistant conductor. In the early 1970s, he studied choral conducting under Eric Ericson at the Musikhögskolan. In 1991, Robert took over full responsibility as OD's conductor.
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Nachtgesang Die Nacht Der Gondelfahrer Sehnsucht Im Gegenwartigen Vergangenes Liebe Standchen Grab und Mond Der 23 Psalm Die einsiedelei Nachthelle Trinklied ist der Schritt der Zeit Geist der Liebe Gesang der Geister uber |
Of the hundreds of songs written by Franz Schubert, those for solo voice are best known today. He also wrote over one hundred songs for men's choir. Occasionally, they were performed by quartets in private settings and a few of them were published during Schubert's lifetime. But it was not until nearly forty years after his death that people began to realize that this music was out there. In Vienna in 1866 a volume of his choruses was published by Johann Herbeck, who was a champion of Schubert's unknown music. These songs vary in style from piano or string accompaniment to a cappella. Occasionally, there is a soloist, as in "Standchen," for male choir, alto solo and piano. For this recording Orphei Drangar, conducted by Robert Sund is joined by alto Malena Ernman, tenor Jonas Degerfeldt, pianist Folke Alin and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. The always brilliant OD sings these rarely performed works with beauty and grace.
| 6567 CD $15.98 |
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Hej dunkom - arr. Vilhelm Svedbom Uti voar hage - arr. Hugo Alfven Pa fjallet i sol - Wilhelm Peterson-Berger Ett bondbrollop: 4 I brollopsgarden - August Soderman Kung Liljekonvalje - David Wikander Four Old Hungarian Songs - Bela Bartok The Songs of Hamlet - Veijo Tormis Three Slovakian Folksongs - Eugen Suchon Wir zogen in das Feld - J.N. David Traumlicht - Richard Strauss An das meer - Max Reger A Stopwatch - Samuel Barber Il brivido - Enrico Bossi Psaume 121 - Darius Milhaud Saltarelle - Camille Saint-Saens Il trovatore: Coro di zingari - Giuseppe Verdi Faust: Choeur des soldats - Charles Gounod |
This disc presents an international selection of music from Orphei Drangar's concert repertoire as well as two opera choruses in collaboration with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Folk songs from Sweden open the recording followed by many twentieth century works for men's voice chorus. From Eastern Europe there are "Four Old Folk Songs" by Bela Bartok and two of "The Songs of Hamlet" by Estonian composer Veijo Tormis. From America, "A Stopwatch" by Samuel Barber captures a scene from the Spanish Civil War in which he and poet Stephen Spender volunteered. Two of the most beloved opera choruses end the program: the chorus of Gypsy's (Anvil Chorus) from Verdi's Il Trovatore and the chorus of Soldiers from Gounod's Faust. This inspired recording of Highlights comes from the choir's work with the incomparable Eric Ericson.
| 7302 CD $15.98 |
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Quatre petites prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise (Francis
Poulenc) Psaume 121 (Darius Milhaud) Gryningsvind (Daniel Bortz) Muistse mere laulud (Veljo Tormis) Iltapilvia (Toivo Kuula) Saltarelle (Camille Saint-Saens) Traumlicht (Richard Strauss) Tarantella (Randall Thompson) Composition for Chorus (Michio Mamiya) Slovenska piesen (Eugen Suchon) Zornicka (Jaroslav Kricka) Bonus Track (Anders Hillborg) |
The popularity of the male-voice choir has dwindled during the past century. More common in the Romantic era, repertoire written specifically for men's choruses is significantly less as well. On the CD Diamonds, Orphei Drangar, led by Robert Sund and Folke Alin, sings 20th century a cappella pieces written specifically for male choir. The pieces chosen are certainly gems in the repertoire. Many are by French composers such as Francis Poulenc, Darius Milhaud and Camille Saint-Saens, who's Saltarelle is quite fun. The group reaches far to the east in Michio Mamiya's "Composition for Chorus No.6" which is based on Japanese folk music. The Anders Hillborg piece, was originally written for a mixed choir, but was commissioned to write a version for Eric Ericcson and the Orphei Dranger. This phenomenal group sparkles on this recording.
| 7189 CD $15.98 |
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Varsang Lindblad Majsang Marsch Valkommen Till Varen Varberg Varluft Madrigal Serenad Kristallen Den Fina Gute Nacht Till Osterland Nu Har Jag Fatt Den Jag Vill Ha Under Ronn Och Syren Dofta Dofta Vit Syren Kung Liljekonvalje Vill Du Komma Med Mig Regnvisan Vals I Valparaiso Fragancia Nu Ar Det Gott Att Leva Aftenstemning GuldsmedJeg Lagde Mig Saa Sildig En Sommarafton |
A fine recording from this acclaimed male choir as directed by Robert Sund. Mostly sung a cappella there are thirty traditional Swedish songs that celebrate Spring and Summer.
| 7792 CD $15.98 |
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Vogler: Hosiana Liljefors: Nar det lider mot jul Nordqvist: Jul, jul, stralande jul Anonymous: Bereden vag for herran Wennerberg: Psalm 24 Tegner: Betlehems stjarna Nielsen: Forunderligt at sige Sibelius: Giv mig ej glans, Op. 1 No. 4 Anonymous: Hodie Christus natus est Victoria: Ave Maria Biebl: Ave Maria Cornelius: Die Konige Gruber: Stille Nacht" Colnisches Gesangsbuch: Est ist ein Ros' entsprungen Mason: Joy to the World Anonymous: O Come, all ye Faithful G. Shaw: How far is it to Bethlehem? Anonymous: Ding dong! Merrily on High Anonymous: Coventry Carol Anonymous: A la nanita nana Adam: Cantique de Noel Anonymous: La Marche des rois Anonymous: Quelle est cette odeur agrable? |
The world renowned Orphei Drangar, treats us to a variety of Christmas songs from around the world, including Scandinavia, Germany, England and France. Selections include Gustaf Nordqvist's sweet lullaby "Jul, jul stralande jul," "Ave Maria" by Franz Biebl and "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen." Conducted by Robert Sund, this wonderful choir is joined by soprano Christina Hogman and baritone Peter Mattei with Bengt Forsberg on organ. This is a simply beautiful recording.
Listen to "Stille Nacht" in Real Audio.
| 7047 CD $15.98 |
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Sveriges Flaggstang Joakim Uti Babylon Vem Kan Segla/Fjariln Vingad Kolm Mul Oli Kaunist Sona Mozarts Pianokonsert Nr 21 (med variationer) Stadshotellet Bluesette Balladen Om Herr Rosenbloms Speleman Teach Me Tiger Sudda, Sudda Yuppie-Rap La Vie En Rose Kulldansen At The Hop/Rock Around The Clock Iltapilvia Bedragarens Vag Carola I Could Have Danced All Night |
More silliness from Sweden's all-male choir Orphei Drangar (OD), yearly live concerts that were founded in 1962, the ones here taking place from 1987 to 1990, that featured "Caprices," or whims and improvisations in concerts (see review for "Capricer Med OD, Del 1964-69"). 18 songs, some in Swedish, some in English; some favorites are "Mozart's Pianokonsert nr 21," "Bluesette," "Teach Me Tiger," "Sudda, sudda," "Yuppie Rap," "At The Hop/Rock Around the Clock" and "I Could Have Danced All Night." OK, sometimes we wish we could understand Swedish and see what's happening when the audience cracks up, but there's still a lot to get a laugh from and enjoy here.
| 7807 CD $15.98 |
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"Ja, jag Kommer" (Hor I Orphei Drangar) Skargardsfrun (E. Taube . sang: Sven Bertil Taube) Kondenserade visor (S-G Hellstrom- Mossebacke Monarki sang: Sten-Gunnar Hellstrom Till Osterland (Trad., arr. K-A. Frisk) Det stod en lind (Trad., arr. K-A Frisk Tal (Speech) Sten Broman Dolly (S. Broman - Falstaaff, fakir) Serenad en ovanligt kall mars samma lordag som det blev om slag I vadret Ibrollopsgarden (A. Soderman) Bandura (Trad., arr J.Johansson piano: Jan Johansson. Bas: Georg Riedel) Embraceable You (G. & I. Gershwin- B. Barlach sang: Sonya Hedenbratt) Domaredansen (Trad., arr O. Olsson - A. Linder. Sang: A. Linder, sang: Anders Linder) M'appari (F.v. Flowtow sang: Staffan Hjorth. Piano Sture Lunden) Beatlepassion (Beatles, arr. K-A. Frisk sang: Dorothy Irving, Christer Solen, Bengt Rundgren) Eko-visa (O. di Lasso. Text och bearbetning: K-A. Frisk Kammarkoren; Kvintetten Olsson; OD) Man Is For The Woman Made Dane liksom askan, systrar (J.H. Stunz - J.Jolin. Kammarkorens damer) Plocka vill jag skogsviol (Trad. - A.Slotte) Come Sunday (Duke Ellington) "Extranummer" (sang: Alice Babs) Madrigal (Adam de la Halle - Schreiber, overs Ralf) Grona sma applen (B. Russell - S. Anderson, arr. Robert Sund sang: Monica Zetterlund) |
In the early sixties the decade was young and people were enthusiastic about anything new. Sweden's Orphei Drangar (OD), an all male choir founded in 1853 changed the formalities of concerts, talking to the audience, allowing laughter and introducing the idea of the "Caprice" in 1962. "Caprice" means "whim" or idea, and it is intended to suggest what is improvised and playful in concerts. The general public longed for such entertainment. Things have changed radically since then, but the basic ideas, surprises, playfulness and high seriousness, craziness but with a requirement of musical quality. "Certainly the lads go astray at times," but nothing ventured, nothing gained. This CD is a "best of" these Caprice concerts, from 1964 to 1969. Unannounced guest artists were a fundamental idea. These included Sven-Bertil Taube, a small ensemble from the choir called the Olsson Quintet made a celebrated debut. Sten-Gunnar Hellstrom presented his condensed version of Swedish musical history, composer Sten Broman was released in his purple tux, and talked for a quarter of an hour about 2 songs with a duration of 3 minutes. There are 22 songs, ending with G. Wennerberg's "Slut Godnatt," an amorous lover's "Wake Up" serenade (to make sure she was not sleeping, leaving him to sing love songs uselessly to himself). All live, in Swedish and in some English, with some light accompaniment and quite a bit of audience laughter. We wish we could understand some of the jokes, but some bits, like "Dolly," "Embraceable You," "Domardansen" and "Beatlespassion" give us a pretty good idea of what's going on. Interesting concept, with some good music and funny stuff.
| 7808 CD $15.98 |
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There's no business White Christmas Bröderna Sund of Music - Variationer över Csárdás Fäbodpsalm Smaka syltan, pastorn Midzjtnatzskin rådznjeff Rysk visa Yngve Gamlins språkkurs Naturljud i Hagaparken Vila vid denna källa Fjäriln vingad syns på Haga Gubben är gammal Hagakören Mood Indigo Fly me to the moon The drunken sailor Hör I O / Nu är det jul Det är en ros utsprungen O helga natt Chopin à la suédoise |
The 1960s saw the beginning of the "Caprice," an annual event that soon gained great popularity. It was a wholly new concert form in Sweden: a mixture of musical styles, everything from serious classical music to jazz and folk music, and as time went on it became more and more of a scenic production with dramatizations, choreography and slapstick humor. An important ingredient was the appearance of one or more mystery guest artists. Over the years, many of Sweden's foremost artists within various genres ahve appeared to suprise the audience, and often have the opportunity to present themselves form a new angle. The development of the Caprice would hardly have been possible without the special conditions that Orphei Drangar has to offer: Eric Ericson's musical versatility and curiosity, not to mention his wide-ranging contacts within Swedish artistic circles; Robert Sund's skill as an arranger, of which this CD provides ample evidence; and his brother Hakan's artistry at the piano, or an equally high calibre in classical music and in jazz.
| 7929 CD $15.98 |
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Hör I Orphei Drängar / Kalinka På fältet stod en liten björk Balladen om Eugen Cork Livet är ett helvete Halsa dom där hemma Fragancia Julgranen Nu har jag fått den jag vill ha Bridge Over Troubled Water Stormy Weather True Love Norgehistoria Engelska flottan Kivikspolka Poor Lonesome Cowboy Feeling Too Good Blues Hark, Ye Sons if Orpheus Maybe It´s Because I´m a Londoner Jag ser på dina ögon / 5000 man Viljasången Låt oss liksom svalorna Operetten är död |
Not only is Orphei Drangar one of the oldest and best men's choirs in the world, but it is a true gathering of individualists, almost all of whom have amde of will make their mark in professions other than music. Given this urge to express themselves as individuals, their popular pre-CHristmas concerts, known locally as "caprices," are not just a collective letting down of hair," but a much-appreciated opportunity for displaying all sorts of individual talents not usually required of choristers -- whether this be writing musical sketches, singing in some hitherto undiscovered register, representing half of a theatrical horse and etceteras. Add to this Eric Ericson, the world's greatest choral conductor -- who looked after Orphei Drangar for forty years because he enjoyed them so much -- and the mixture is potent, not to say explosive. Like all the greatest musicians Eric Ericson has that well-developed sense of humor that comes from recognizing that one has been entrusted with a very rare gift. Together, Eric Ericson and Orphei Drangar let their hair down in grand style. Indeed they elevate the very concept of "letting one's hair down" into something like an art form.
| 7928 CD $15.98 |
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Smideskören ur Trubaduren Gremlins aria ur Eugen Onegin Diana If Love's a Sweet Passion Tiger Rag Gregoriansk Ja, jag kommer En månskenspromenad Kom i min famn Humanifestet Till glädjens värn och ära, symfoni i fyra satser Kinesisk Hör, I Orphei Drängar Man jiang hong Väntat haver jag Nu är det gott att leva Cadillac Jag hatar män ur Kiss me Kate She´s Leaving Home Dänga Two Sleepy People Send In The Clowns Sophisticated Lady |
This is the fourth volume of a series of discs documenting the Caprices -- the ever popular pre-Christmas entertainments that Orphei Drangar started in 1962. By 1982, the Caprices had found the form that most people associate with them today: one or more guest artists -- singers, musicians, comedians, actors or actresses -- their names a well-kept secret until the opening night; a theme for the performance providing opportunities for musical and theatrical pranks, and alarming leaps between different moods and styles.
| 7927 CD $15.98 |
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