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.

Songlist: Hosiana, Nar det lider mot jul, Jul, jul, stralande jul, Bereden vag for herran, Psalm 24, Betlehems stjarna, Forunderligt at sige, Giv mig ej glans, Op. 1 No. 4, Hodie Christus natus est, Ave Maria, Ave Maria, Die Konige, Stille Nacht, Est ist ein Ros' entsprungen, Joy to the World, O Come, all ye Faithful, How far is it to Bethlehem?, Anonymous: Ding dong! Merrily on High, Anonymous: Coventry Carol, Anonymous: A la nanita nana, Cantique de Noel, Anonymous: La Marche des rois, Anonymous: Quelle est cette odeur agrable?

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.

Songlist: Quatre Petites De St. Francois d'Assise, Psaume 121, Gryningsvind, Muistse mere laulud, Iltapilvia, Saltarelle, Traumlicht, Tarantella, Composition for Chorus, Slovenska piesen, Zornicka, Bonus Track

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.

Songlist: 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, Guldsmed, Juninat, Jeg Lagde Mig Saa Sildig, Pa Fjallet I sol, En Sommarafton

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.

Songlist: "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 (E.M. Yrgard sang: Erik Mattias Yrgard), 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 (H. Purcell - John Runge's collection sang: Christer Bladin Gitarr: Adam Taube), Dane liksom askan, systrar (J.H. Stunz - J.Jolin. Kammarkorens damer), Plocka vill jag skogsviol (Trad. - A.Slotte.), Come Sunday (Duke Ellington sang: Alice Babs piano: Ake Leven), "Extranummer" (sang: Alice Babs), Madrigal (Adam de la Halle - Schreiber, overs Ralf), Grona sma applen, Slut - Godnatt (G. Wennerberg)