Danish Choral Music

Camerata Chamber Choir : Poul Ruders - Works for A Cappella Choir

Review: Formed in 1965, award-winning mixed choir Camerata has been one of the most prolific chamber choirs in Denmark. Apart from traditional a cappella concerts of several works by Danish composers, the Choir has performed such symphonic works as Mozart's "Requiem" and Handel's "Messiah." Contemporary (b. 1949) composer Poul Ruders includes in his musical universe medieval, renaissance and baroque eras, rock music, American minimalism and modernism in a direct, vibrant, almost music-video-like style. The first movement, 24 minutes long, "Stabat Mater," is a dramatic, surprising piece that combines 10-part harmony with some samples of "out-of-tune piano, organ and percussion." Then we have 3 motets, done mostly in the sacred medieval and renaissance styles: "Preghiera semplice," "Caritas nunquam exidit" and "Psalm 86." The last piece, 17 minutes long, the Medieval Danish folksong "Queen Dagmar's Death," is a somber-toned requiem with some unbelievable soprano solos from Choir members. "Poul Ruders" is an impressive, very different choral CD of works by a brilliant composer.

Songlist: Stabat Mater, Three Motets:, Preghiera semplice, Caritas nunquam exidit, Psalm 86, The Death of Queen Dagmar

Copenhagen Girls' Choir : Make A Joyful Noise

Review: Highly regarded throughout Europe this top-notch girls choir has beed delighting audiences and critics for several decades and thsi recording shows why they have garnered such acclaim.

Songlist: This Is The Day Which The Lord Hath Made, Tell Ye The Daughter Of Sion, Ave Maria, Make A Joyful Noise, O Queen Of Heaven Rejoice, Blessed are They That Heareth, Singing Unto The Lord, The Sermon On The Mount, Owe No Man Anything, I Have Heard Thee, Sing O ye Heavens, My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord, Hodie Christus Natus Est, Now Thank Ye All Our God, O Clap Your Hands All Ye People, I Am The Bread Of Life, We Will Walk In The Name Of The Lord

Danish National Radio Choir : Brahms Vol 2

Review: The best known choral piece by Brahms is his German Requiem. Since his teenage years he was involved with choral groups and continued to work with them throughout his life. He wrote numerous songs for a cappella ensembles as well as with accompaniment. The most familiar of these pieces is the Zigeunerlieder, op. 103. These Gypsy songs are usually performed by a soloist and piano, but were originally written for a quartet. This phenomenal recording by the Danish National Radio Choir highlights some of Brahms' work in the choral genre.

Songlist: Drei Gesange, Op. 42, Funf Gesange, Op. 104, Vier Gesange, Op. 17, Sechs Quartette, Op. 112, Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103

Danish National Radio Choir : Brahms: A Cappella Vol 1

Review: The German-born Brahms (1833-1897) is considered one of the greatest Romantic composers, while the Danish National Radio Choir (Stefan Parkman, Chief Conductor) is one of the most respected European Choirs performing today. Their pure yet robust sound is a fine complement to the mastery of form that Brahms' works display. Indeed, one of the distinguishing characteristics of his style was his fascination with the contrapuntal forms so often identified with the Baroque and pre-Baroque era: canon, motet, fugue, and the variations thereof. It was accepted at that time to use a folk song or other well-known melody as the basis for the composer's own originality, which was demonstrated through his technical facility and manipulation of accepted idioms. A series of "Marienlieder" comprise a third of the recording, along with seven motets and three compositions commissioned for the Hamburg Industrial Exhibition of 1889. A recording of excellent virtue.

Songlist: Marienlieder, Op. 22:, Der englische Gruss, Marias Wallfahrt, Der jager, Ruf zur Maria, Magdalena, Marias Lob, Two Motets, Op. 29:, Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein rein Herz, Two Motets, Op. 74:, Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Muhseligen?, O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf, Fest-und Gedenkspruche, Op. 109:, Unsere Vater hoften auf dich, Wenn ein starker Gewappneter, Wo ist ein so herrlich Volk, Three Motets, Op. 110:, Ich aber bin elend, Ach, arme Welt, Wenn wir in hochsten Noten sein

Danish National Radio Choir : Kodaly - Missa Brevis

Review: Zoltan Kodaly is best known for his research of folk music and his contribution to the field of music education. A large part of his output is concentrated in the area of choral music. The four works heard on this recording come from the early third of the twentieth century. The Missa Brevis for chorus, alto, tenor, bass solos and organ, is the latest of these pieces and was expanded from his Mass for solo organ. Matrai kepek (Matra pictures) is a set of five pieces which are based on Hungarian folk songs from the Matra region ordered to form a narrative thread. Kodaly's music is dramatic with colorful writing.

Songlist: Missa brevis' (8 Movements), Jezus es a kufarok (Jesus and the traders), Este (Evening), Matrai Kepek

Danish National Radio Choir : Pupils Of Messiaen

Review: Founded in 1932, the Danish National Radio Choir, directed by Jesper Grove Jorgensen, tours all over Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA. "Pupils" features 6 eclectic works by Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992), 3 works by Karlheinz Stockhausen (b. 1928) , and 3 works by Iannis Xenakis (b. 1922). Working all his life in the church, the French composer Messiaen's "Cinq rechants" offers abrasive dissonances and monodies, and lines with a vital rhythmic energy. His pupil Stockhausen goes off in a different direction, combining religious and erotic elements. Xenakis went in still another direction, the political, writing "Nuits" for 12 voices, an appeal on behalf of political prisoners; and choral music for ancient dramas like "A Helene" and "Serment." Stockhausen's "Die Nachtigall," Armer junger Hirt" and "Agnus Dei" are lovely. Messiaen's "Modere-Presque vif," Bien modere" and "Tres vif" are particularly nice. Very different, beautifully performed choral music! Extensive liner notes with lyrics and histories of the composers.

Songlist: Cinq rechants:, i. Mondere - Presque vif, ii. Bien modere, iii. Lent, caressant, iv. res vif, v. Vif, Chore fur Doris (Helle Charlotte Pedersen soprano), Die Nachtigall, Armer junger Hirt, Agnus Dei, Choral, A Helene, Nuits, Serment

Danish National Radio Choir : R. Strauss: A Cappella Choral Works

Review: The 75 professional singers of the DNRC are directed by Stefan Parkman, who has conducted most of Sweden's symphony orchestras and several excellent choirs. Probably the least-known of Richard Strauss's (1884-1949) major works are his compositions for unaccompanied chorus--not surprisingly, because only the most accomplished choirs are qualified to perform them. When they are performed, however, the rewards are great: 16 part harmony with antiphonal block passages alternating with intricate polyphony. Six pieces: "Der Abend Op. 34 Nr. 1," "Hymne Op. 34 Nr. 2," Deutsche Motette Op. 62," "Die Cottin im Putzzimmer," and "An den Baum Daphne," featuring the Copenhagen Boys' Choir. This is beautiful, fine, intricate stuff, with soaring harmonies and solos. Extensive liner notes with all lyrics and histories.

Songlist: Der aben op 34 nr 1, Hymne op 34 nr 2, Deutsche mottette op 62, Die gottin im putzzimmer, An den Baum Daphne

Klarup Girls' Choir : O Come, Let Us Sing

Review: Formed in 1980 this top-notch Danish girlchoir, directed for over 25 years by Jan Ole Mortensen, has won many awards, toured world-wide and performs frequently on Danish National Radio. The recordings here are all originals by living Danish composers such as Michael Bojesen, Knut Nystedt and Egil Hovland and are excellent proof of why contemporary Danish choral music is held in such high regard throughout Europe.

Songlist: O Come, Let Us Sing, Lyrie Eleison, Gloria, Kaerlighed som til et billed, Pater Noster, Gud, Lad Os Leve Af Dit Ord, Mary's Song, Sancta Maria, I Am My Brothers Keeper, Aere Til Dig, Kristus, Ave Maria, Fader Vor

Sankt Annae Girls' Choir : Part of Eternity - Lidt af Evigheden

Review: With such a strong tradition of choral music it comes as no surpise that this world-class girls choir delivers susch a fine fine recording as this. Featuring the compositions of Denmark's top composers such as Carl Nielson, Otto Mortensen, Niels la Cour, Michael Bojesen and Niels W. Gade including many a cappella works.

Songlist: Sommer, Lovald, Julekveld, Lovspring, Den Danskw San, Den Kedsom Vinter Gik Sin Sin Gang, Yndigt Dufter Danmark, Midsommersang, Vinger, Tre Kinesiske Digte, Tapoti Febulen, Vinterskyer, Lidt Af Evigbedegen, Forst Var Ordet, Evigheden

Theatre of Voices : Creator Spiritus - Arvo Part

Review: Creator Spiritus is the latest collaboration between GRAMMY Award winning conductor Paul Hillier and celebrated Estonian composer Arvo Part. The disc features a carefully selected collection of Part's choral and instrumental chamber music, drawn from different periods in the composer's career. Leading his celebrated vocal ensembles Theatre of Voices and Ars Nova Copenhagen and joined by the NYYD Quartet and long-time collaborator organist Christopher Bowers-Broadbent, Hillier produces another powerful recording of ethereal sacred music.

Theatre of Voices : The Christmas Story

Review: Inspired by the much-loved service of "Nine Lessons and Carols" given every Christmas Eve in England, this recording presents the Nativity story told through plainchant, motets, 17th Century dialogues, and traditional folk carols. Paul Hillier leads Theatre of Voices and Ars Nova Copenhagen in music he has culled and arranged from Italian, German, Danish, English, and American sources.

Songlist: Rorate coeli desuper, Veni veni Emanuel, Eis ist ein Ros entsprungen, Dum deambularet Dominus in Paradisum, Adam Lay Y Bounden, In dulci iubilo, Missus est Gabriel, Puer natus est, O magnum mysterium, Voi ch'ai notturni rai, Dormi, dormi, o bel bambin, Liebe Hirten, Andachtsjodler, We Three Kings, Videntes stellam, Personent hodie, Herodes iratus, Vox in Rama, Uebers Gebirg, Maria wallt zum Heiligtum, The holly and the ivy, Barn Jesus i en krybbe la, We wish you a merry Christmas